Indians, as any other people of a country of territory, are proud people. Except in very recent decades when a few of the Indians won Nobel Prizes and became top managers in foreign/ multinational firms or won a medal here and there, the Indians had very little to boast in the area of modern Science and Technology. Yet, people in the subcontinent started off well in the pusuit of knowledge. They started of seeking answers to basic questions on the why and how of the existence and operasation of the Universe in its entirety and in its various parts like stars, human life, parts of human life, etc. On the way of knowledge seeking, through simple observation and application of logic and reasoning, they advanced the analytical tools and sought useful applications of their knowledge for human welfare and increasing the technological ability of human beings to advance the human civilization. Indians have been credited with the creation of the concept of zero without which Mathematics could not have advanced much and modern science would have remained primitive. Yet, for centuries in the current millenium, Indian contribution to Science and technology has been very minimal. How does not explain the inital vibrancy of Indian contribution to knowledge followed by Indian scientists going into oblivion? Why is that the concepts that the ancient Indian scientists evolved were not subjected to reasearch by the later generations of Indians and allowed to be lost instead of creating a revolutionary process of continuous inventions and innovations? Many reasons may cited: foreign invasions and consequent destructions, primacy of spritualism and bhakti-cult among the Hindus, the easy availability of food and a very comfortable living environment. But these are not really satisfactory answers but raises more questions. Even befiore the foreign invasions took place, there were continuous wars and battles among the several kingdoms within India, the early Indian scientists were mostly disciples or descendants of spiritual sages/ saints, and different parts of India were not environmentally equally comfortable to human habitation and life. Various cults of Hinduism, Budhhism, Jainsism and Islam as also Christianity spread all over India but not science and technology. My hypothesis is that that advancement of science and technology is also subject to unknown stochastic peocesses that determines where and when scientific and technological advancements will take place. Even the ancient Indian history show that major discoveries by ancient Indian scientists were sporadic in time and place. The periods and the locations of the most famous ancient Indian scientists seem to suggest that continuity in research for innovations and pursuit of scientific inquiry did nt have hiogh probability in the initial period of human quest of knowledge, though the immediate application of the available knowledge to improve human life spread to many parts of India.
A friend forwarded some notes through email in circulation about 10 ancient / medieval Indian Scientists. I quote below an edited vesrsion of the material I received.
Ancient Indian Scientists:
A. Before Christ:
1. Acharya Kapil (3000 BCE) - Father of Cosmology
Celebrated as the founder of Sankhya philosophy, Acharya Kapil is believed to have been born in 3000 BCE to the illustrious sage Kardam and Devhuti. He gifted the world with the Sankhya School of Thought. His pioneering work threw light on the nature and principles of the ultimate Soul (Purusha), primal matter (Prakruti) and creation. His concept of transformation of energy and profound commentaries on atma, non-atma and the subtle elements of the cosmos places him in an elite class of master achievers - incomparable to the discoveries of other cosmologists. On his assertion that Prakruti, with the inspiration of Purusha, is the mother of cosmic creation and all energies, he contributed a new chapter in the science of cosmology.
2. Acharya Bharadwaj (800 BCE) - Pioneer of Aviation Technology
Acharya Bharadwaj had a hermitage in the holy city of Prayag and was an ordent apostle of Ayurveda and mechanical sciences. He authored the " Yantra Sarvasva " which includes astonishing and outstanding discoveries in aviation science, space science and flying machines. He has described three categories of flying machines: 1.) One that flies on earth from one place to another. 2.) One that travels from one planet to another. 3.) And One that travels from one universe to another. His designs and descriptions have impressed and amazed aviation engineers of today. His brilliance in aviation technology is further reflected through techniques described by him:
i) Profound Secret: The technique to make a flying machine invisible through the application of sunlight and wind force.
ii) Living Secret: The technique to make an invisible space machine visible through the application of electrical force.
iii) Secret of Eavesdropping: The technique to listen to a conversation in another plane.
iv) Visual Secrets: The technique to see what's happening inside another plane.
3. Acharya Kanad (600 BCE) - Founder of Atomic Theory
As the founder of " Vaisheshik Darshan "- one of six principal philosophies/ philosophies of India - Acharya Kanad was a genius is believed to have been born in Prabhas Kshetra near Dwarika in Gujarat. He was the pioneer expounder of realism, law of causation and the atomic theory. He has classified all the objects of creation into nine elements, namely: earth, water, light, wind, ether, time, space, mind and soul. He says, "Every object of creation is made of atoms which in turn connect with each other to form molecules." His statement ushered in the Atomic Theory for the first time ever in the world, nearly 2500 years before John Dalton . Kanad has also described the dimension and motion of atoms and their chemical reactions with each other. The eminent historian, T.N. Colebrook , has said, "Compared to the scientists of Europe , Kanad and other Indian scientists were the global masters of this field."
4. Acharya Charak (600 BCE) - Father of Medicine
Acharya Charak has been crowned as the Father of Medicine. His renowned work, the " Charak Samhita ", is considered as an encyclopedia of Ayurveda. His principles, diagoneses, and cures retain their potency and truth even after a couple of millennia. When the science of anatomy was confused with different theories in Europe , Acharya Charak revealed through his innate genius and enquiries the facts on human anatomy, embryology, pharmacology, blood circulation and diseases like diabetes, tuberculosis, heart disease, etc. In the " Charak Samhita " he has described the medicinal qualities and functions of 100,000 herbal plants. He has emphasized the influence of diet and activity on mind and body. He has proved the correlation of spirituality and physical health contributed greatly to diagnostic and curative sciences. He has also prescribed and ethical charter for medical practitioners two centuries prior to the Hippocratic oath. Through his genius and intuition, Acharya Charak made landmark contributions to Ayurvedal. He forever remains etched in the annals of history as one of the greatest and noblest of rishi-scientists.
5. Acharya Sushrut (600 BCE) - Father of Plastic Surgery
Born to sage Vishwamitra, Acharya Sudhrut pioneerd in amputation, caesarian and cranial surgeries and detailed the first ever surgery procedures in " Sushrut Samhita ," a unique encyclopedia of surgery. He is venerated as the father of plastic surgery and the science of anesthesia. When surgery was in its infancy in Europe , Sushrut was performing Rhinoplasty (restoration of a damaged nose) and other challenging operations. In the " Sushrut Samhita ," he prescribes treatment for twelve types of fractures and six types of dislocations. His details on human embryology are simply amazing. Sushrut used 125 types of surgical instruments including scalpels, lancets, needles, Cathers and rectal speculums; mostly designed from the jaws of animals and birds. He has also described a number of stitching methods; the use of horse's hair as thread and fibers of bark.
B. After the Birth of Christ
6. Varahmihir (499-587 CE) - Eminent Astrologer and Astronomer
Varahmuhir renowned astrologer and astronomer who was honored with a special decoration and status as one of the nine gems in the court of King Vikramaditya in Avanti ( Ujjain ). Varahamihir' s book "panchsiddhant" holds a prominent place in the realm of astronomy. He notes that the moon and planets are lustrous not because of their own light but due to sunlight. In the " Bruhad Samhita " and " Bruhad Jatak ," he has revealed his discoveries in the domains of geography, constellation, science, botany and animal science. In his treatise on botanical science, Varamihir presents cures for various diseases afflicting plants and trees.
7. Acharya Patanjali (200 BCE) - Father of Yog
The Science of Yog is one of several unique contributions of India to the world. It seeks to discover and realize the ultimate Reality through yogic practices. Acharya Patanjali , the founder, hailed from the district of Gonda (Ganara) in Uttar Pradesh . He prescribed the control of prana (life breath) as the means to control the body, mind and soul. This subsequently rewards one with good health and inner happiness. Acharya Patanjali 's 84 yogic postures effectively enhance the efficiency of the respiratory, circulatory, nervous, digestive and endocrine systems and many other organs of the body. Yog has eight limbs where Acharya Patanjali shows the attainment of the ultimate bliss of God in samadhi through the disciplines of: yam, niyam, asan, pranayam, pratyahar, dhyan and dharana. The Science of Yog has gained popularity because of its scientific approach and benefits. Yog also holds the honored place as one of six philosophies in the Indian philosophical system. Acharya Patanjali will forever be remembered and revered as a pioneer in the science of self-discipline, happiness and self-realization
8. Nagarjuna (100 CE) - Wizard of Chemical Science
He was an extraordinary wizard of science born in the nondescript village of Baluka in Madhya Pradesh . His dedicated research for twelve years produced maiden discoveries and inventions in the faculties of chemistry and metallurgy. Textual masterpieces like " Ras Ratnakar ," "Rashrudaya" and "Rasendramangal" are his renowned contributions to the science of chemistry. Where the medieval alchemists of England failed, Nagarjuna had discovered the alchemy of transmuting base metals into gold. As the author of medical books like "Arogyamanjari" and "Yogasar," he also made significant contributions to the field of curative medicine. Because of his profound scholarliness and versatile knowledge, he was appointed as Chancellor of the famous University of Nalanda . Nagarjuna's milestone discoveries impress and astonish the scientists of today.
9. Aryabhatt (476 CE) - Master Astronomer and Mathematics
Born in 476 CE in Kusumpur ( Bihar ), Aryabhatt's intellectual brilliance remapped the boundaries of mathematics and astronomy. In 499 CE, at the age of 23, he wrote a text on astronomy and an unparallel treatise on mathematics called "Aryabhatiyam. " He formulated the process of calculating the motion of planets and the time of eclipses. Aryabhatt was the first to proclaim that the earth is round, it rotates on its axis, orbits the sun and is suspended in space - 1000 years before Copernicus published his heliocentric theory. He is also acknowledged for calculating p (Pi) to four decimal places: 3.1416 and the sine table in trigonometry. Centuries later, in 825 CE, the Arab mathematician, Mohammed Ibna Musa credited the value of Pi to the Indians, "This value has been given by the Hindus." And above all, his most spectacular contribution was the concept of zero without which modern computer technology would have been non-existent. Aryabhatt was a colossus in the field of mathematics.
10. Bhaskaracharya || (1114-1183 CE) - Genius in Algebra
Born in the obscure village of Vijjadit (Jalgaon) in Maharastra, Bhaskaracharya' s work in Algebra, Arithmetic and Geometry catapulted him to fame and immortality. His renowned mathematical works called "Lilavati" and "Bijaganita" are considered to be unparalled and a memorial to his profound intelligence. Its translation in several languages of the world bear testimony to its eminence. In his treatise " Siddhant Shiromani " he writes on planetary positions, eclipses, cosmography, mathematical techniques and astronomical equipment. In the " Surya Siddhant " he makes a note on the force of gravity: "Objects fall on earth due to a force of attraction by the earth. Therefore, the earth, planets, constellations, moon, and sun are held in orbit due to this attraction." Bhaskaracharya was the first to discover gravity, 500 years before Sir Isaac Newton . He was the champion among mathematicians of ancient and medieval India . His works fired the imagination of Persian and European scholars.
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