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I
n the previous lesson, you have read about the relationship between science and
technology. In this lesson, you will read about the contributions made by ancient Indians
in the field of Mathematics and Science, including Medical Science, Ayurveda, Yoga,
Astronomy, Astrology, etc. You will be surprised to know that a lot of scientific knowledge
was evolved in ancient India, so many years ago.
OBJECTIVES
After reading this lesson you will be able to:
 list the contributions of India to the world in the field of Mathematics and Science.
 discuss the contributions made to knowledge by ancient Indian scientists like
Baudhayan, Aryabhatta, Brahmgupta, Bhaskaracharya, Kanad, Varahamihira,
Nagarjuna, Susruta, Charak, Patanjali
15.1 MATHEMATICS & ASTRONOMY
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
Scientists of Ancient India
Notes
230 Indian Culture and Heritage Secondary Course
MODULE - VI
Science and
Technology 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.
15.1.1 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.
15.1.2 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 Khagolshastra.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?
15.1.3 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.
15.1.4 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.
15.1.5 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.
15.2 SCIENCE
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.
15.2.1 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.
15.2.2 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
Scientists of Ancient India
Notes
Indian Culture and Heritage Secondary Course 233
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Science and
Technology 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’.
15.2.3 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
15.3 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
Scientists of Ancient India
Notes
234 Indian Culture and Heritage Secondary Course
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Science and
Technology 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.
15.3.1 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?
15.3.2 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.
Scientists of Ancient India
Notes
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Science and
Technology
15.3.3 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.

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