Scientist in Ancient India

  Scientist  in Ancient India  

 

In Ancient Time India had been vishwa guru . There were so many rishis,  munis  born in  the land of India.   they are always  in the search of knowledge  like a today's Scientist , so we can call it as Ancient Indian Scientist . There are so many Ancient Scientist and today we are talking about -:

 

 Science and Mathematics were highly developed during the ancient period in India.

 Ancient Indians contributed immensely to the knowledge in Mathematics as well as various branches of Science.  

In this section, we will read about the developments in Mathematics and the
scholars who contributed to it. You will be surprised to know that many theories of modern day mathematics were actually known to ancient Indians. 

However, since ancient Indian mathematicians were not as good in documentation and dissemination as their counterparts in the modern western world, their contributions did not find the place they deserved.
Moreover, the western world ruled over most of the world for a long time, which empowered them to claim superiority in every way, including in the field of knowledge. Let us now take
a look at some of these contributions of ancient Indian mathematicians

 

 1: Baudhayan

 

                              Baudhayan was the first one ever to arrive at several concepts in Mathematics, which were later rediscovered by the western world. The value of pi was first calculated by him.
As you know, pi is useful in calculating the area and circumference of a circle. What is known as Pythagoras theorem today is already found in Baudhayan’s Sulva Sutra, which was written several years before the age of Pythagoras. 

2:  Aryabhatta

 

                          Aryabhatta was a fifth century mathematician, astronomer, astrologer and physicist. 

He was a pioneer in the field of mathematics. At the age of 23, he wrote Aryabhattiya, which is a summary of mathematics of his time. There are four sections in this scholarly work.
In the first section he describes the method of denoting big decimal numbers by alphabets.
In the second section, we find difficult questions from topics of modern day Mathematics such as number theory, geometry, trigonometry and Beejganita (algebra). 

The remaining two sections are on astronomy.
Aryabhatta showed that zero was not a numeral only but also a symbol and a concept.
Discovery of zero enabled Aryabhatta to find out the exact distance between the earth and the moon. The discovery of zero also opened up a new dimension of negative numerals.
As we have seen, the last two sections of Aryabhattiya were on Astronomy. Evidently, Aryabhatta contributed greatly to the field of science, too, particularly Astronomy.
In ancient India, the science of astronomy was well advanced. It was called Khagol-shastra. Khagol was the famous astronomical observatory at Nalanda, where Aryabhatta studied. In fact science of astronomy was highly advanced and our ancestors were proud
of it. The aim behind the development of the science of astronomy was the need to have accurate calendars, a better understanding of climate and rainfall patterns for timely sowing and choice of crops, fixing the dates of seasons and festivals, navigation, calculation of time and casting of horoscopes for use in astrology. Knowledge of astronomy, particularly knowledge of the tides and the stars, was of great importance in trade, because of the requirement of crossing the oceans and deserts during night time.
Disregarding the popular view that our planet earth is ‘Achala’ (immovable), Aryabhatta stated his theory that ‘earth is round and rotates on its own axis’ He explained that the
appearance of the sun moving from east to west is false by giving examples. One such example was: When a person travels in a boat, the trees on the shore appear to move in the opposite direction. He also correctly stated that the moon and the planets shined by reflected sunlight. He also gave a scientific explanation for solar and lunar eclipse clarifying that the eclipse were not because of Rahhu and/or Ketu or some other rakshasa (demon,).
Do you realize now, why the first satellite sent into orbit by India has been named after Aryabhatta?

 3:  Brahmgupta

 

 
In 7th century, Brahmgupta took mathematics to heights far beyond others. In his methods
of multiplication, he used place value in almost the same way as it is used today. He
introduced negative numbers and operations on zero into mathematics. He wrote Brahm
Sputa Siddantika through which the Arabs came to know our mathematical system. 

4:  Bhaskaracharya

Bhaskaracharya was the leading light of 12th Century. He was born at Bijapur, Karnataka.
He is famous for his book Siddanta Shiromani. It is divided into four sections: Lilavati
(Arithmetic), Beejaganit (Algebra), Goladhyaya (Sphere) and Grahaganit (mathematics of
planets). Bhaskara introduced Chakrawat Method or the Cyclic Method to solve algebraic
equations. This method was rediscovered six centuries later by European mathematicians,
who called it inverse cycle. In the nineteenth century, an English man, James Taylor, translated
Lilavati and made this great work known to the world. 

5:  Mahaviracharya

 

 
There is an elaborate description of mathematics in Jain literature (500 B.C -100 B.C).
Jain gurus knew how to solve quadratic equations. They have also described fractions,
algebraic equations, series, set theory, logarithms and exponents in a very interesting manner.
Jain Guru Mahaviracharya wrote Ganit Sara Sangraha in 850A.D., which is the first
textbook on arithmetic in present day form. The current method of solving Least common
Multiple (LCM) of given numbers was also described by him. Thus, long before John
Napier introduced it to the world, it was already known to Indians.

 

 As in Mathematics, ancient Indians contributed to the knowledge in Science, too. Let us
now learn about the contributions of some scientists of ancient India. 

6: Kanad

 

 
Kanad was a sixth century scientist of Vaisheshika School, one of the six systems of Indian
philosophy. His original name was Aulukya. He got the name Kanad, because even as a
child, he was interested in very minute particles called “kana”. His atomic theory can be a
match to any modern atomic theory. According to Kanad, material universe is made up of
kanas, (anu/atom) which cannot be seen through any human organ. These cannot be
further subdivided. Thus, they are indivisible and indestructible. This is, of course, as you
may be knowing, what the modern atomic theory also says. 

7: Varahamihira

 

Varahamihira was another well known scientist of the ancient period in India. He lived in
the Gupta period. Varahamihira made great contributions in the fields of hydrology, geology
and ecology. He was one of the first scientists to claim that termites and plants could be the
indicators of the presence of underground water. He gave a list of six animals and thirty
plants, which could indicate the presence of water. He gave very important information
regarding termites (Deemak or insects that destroy wood), that they go very deep to the
surface of water level to bring water to keep their houses (bambis) wet. Another theory,
which has attracted the world of science is the earthquake cloud theory given by Varahmihira
in his Brhat Samhita. The thirty second chapter of this samhita is devoted to signs of
earthquakes. He has tried to relate earthquakes to the influence of planets, undersea
activities, underground water, unusual cloud formation and abnormal behaviour of animals.
Another field where Varahamihira’s contribution is worth mentioning is Jyotish or Astrology.
Astrology was given a very high place in ancient India and it has continued even today.
Jyotish, which means science of light, originated with the Vedas. It was presented scientifically
in a systematic form by Aryabhatta and Varahmihira. You have already seen that Aryabhatta  devoted two out of the four sections of his work Aryabhattiyam to astronomy, which is the
basis for Astrology. Astrology is the science of predicting the future. Varahamihira was one
of the nine gems, who were scholars, in the court of Vikramaditya. Varahamihira’s
predictions were so accurate that king Vikramaditya gave him the title of ‘Varaha’. 

8: Nagarjuna

 
Nagarjuna was a tenth century scientist. The main aim of his experiments was to transform
base elements into gold, like the alchemists in the western world. Even though he was not
successful in his goal, he succeeded in making an element with gold-like shine. Till date,
this technology is used in making imitation jewelry. In his treatise, Rasaratnakara, he has
discussed methods for the extraction of metals like gold, silver, tin and copper.

 

  MEDICAL SCIENCE IN ANCIENT INDIA (AYURVEDA & YOGA)

 
As you have read, scientific knowledge was in a highly advanced stage in ancient India. In keeping with the times, Medical Science was also highly developed. Ayurveda is the indigenous system of medicine that was developed in Ancient India.

 The word Ayurveda literally means the science of good health and longevity of life. This ancient Indian system
of medicine not only helps in treatment of diseases but also in finding the causes and symptoms of diseases. It is a guide for the healthy as well as the sick. It defines health as an equilibrium in three doshas, and diseases as disturbance in these three doshas. 

While treating a disease with the help of herbal medicines, it aims at removing the cause of disease by striking at the roots. The main aim of ayurveda has been health and longevity. 

It is the oldest medical system of our planet. A treatise on Ayurveda, Atreya Samhita, is the  oldest medical book of the world. Charak is called the father of ayurvedic medicine and Susruta the father of surgery. Susruta, Charak, Madhava, Vagbhatta and Jeevak were noted ayurvedic practitioners. Do you know that Ayurveda has lately become very popular in the western world? This is because of its many advantages over the modern system of
medicine called Allopathy, which is of western origin. 

9:  Susruta

 
Susruta was a pioneer in the field of surgery. He considered surgery as “the highest division
of the healing arts and least liable to fallacy”. He studied human anatomy with the help of a
dead body. In Susruta Samhita, over 1100 diseases are mentioned including fevers of
twenty-six kinds, jaundice of eight kinds and urinary complaints of twenty kinds. Over
760 plants are described. All parts, roots, bark, juice, resin, flowers etc. were used.
Cinnamon, sesame, peppers, cardamom, ginger are household remedies even today.
In Susruta Samhita, the method of selecting and preserving a dead body for the purpose
of its detailed study has also been described. The dead body of an old man or a person
who died of a severe disease was generally not considered for studies. The body needed
to be perfectly cleaned and then preserved in the bark of a tree. It was then kept in a cage
and hidden carefully in a spot in the river. There the current of the river softened it. After
seven days it was removed from the river. It was then cleaned with a brush made of grass
roots, hair and bamboo. When this was done, every inner or outer part of the body could
be seen clearly.
Susruta’s greatest contribution was in the fields of Rhinoplasty (plastic surgery) and
Ophthalmic surgery (removal of cataracts). In those days, cutting of nose and/or ears was
a common punishment. Restoration of these or limbs lost in wars was a great blessing. In
Susruta Samhita, there is a very accurate step-by-step description of these operations.
Surprisingly, the steps followed by Susruta are strikingly similar to those followed by modern
surgeons while doing plastic surgery. Susruta Samhita also gives a description of 101
instruments used in surgery. Some serious operations performed included taking foetus
out of the womb, repairing the damaged rectum, removing stone from the bladder, etc.
Does it not sound interesting and wonderful?

 

10: Charak

 

Charak is considered the father of ancient Indian science of medicine. He was the Raj
Vaidya (royal doctor) in the court of Kanishka. His Charak Samhita is a remarkable
book on medicine. It has the description of a large number of diseases and gives methods
of identifying their causes as well as the method of their treatment. He was the first to talk
about digestion, metabolism and immunity as important for health and so medical scienc.
In Charak Samhita, more stress has been laid on removing the cause of disease rather
than simply treating the illness. Charak also knew the fundamentals of Genetics. Don’t you
find it fascinating that thousands of years back, medical science was at such an advanced
stage in India.

 11: Yoga & Patanjali

 
The science of Yoga was developed in ancient India as an allied science of Ayurveda for
healing without medicine at the physical and mental level. The term Yoga has been derived
from the Sanskrit work Yoktra. Its literal meaning is “yoking the mind to the inner self after
detaching it from the outer subjects of senses”. Like all other sciences, it has its roots in the
Vedas. It defines chitta i.e. dissolving thoughts, emotions and desires of a person’s
consciousness and achieving a state of equilibrium. It sets in to motion the force that
purifies and uplifts the consciousness to divine realization. Yoga is physical as well as
mental. Physical yoga is called Hathyoga. Generally, it aims at removing a disease and
restoring healthy condition to the body. Rajayoga is mental yoga. Its goal is self realization
and liberation from bondage by achieving physical mental, emotional and spritiual balance.
Yoga was passed on by word of mouth from one sage to another. The credit of systematically
presenting this great science goes to Patanjali. In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Aum is
spoken of as the symbol of God. He refers to Aum as a cosmic sound, continuously
flowing through the ether, fully known only to the illuminated. Besides Yoga Sutras, Patanjali
also wrote a work on medicine and worked on Panini’s grammar known as Mahabhasaya.