Doctors Scientists and Engineers of Ancient India

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The treasure of ancient India, if sincerely and honestly deciphered, shall not only help us to understand and appreciate the magnificent heights of scientific and technological advancement in ancient India but shall also provide the much needed impetus to take the modern age of Information Technology. The ancient India, a scientifically advanced, technologically sound, materially prosperous and above all a spiritually enlightened India. Advancement of human kind in all spheres of 
human endeavour which include art and architecture, town planning, development to human languages, musical nodes and compositions, literally writings, decimal system of counting, rapid computations using micro mathematical sutras, natural medicines, system of governance and above all.
Sh. S. Narain an Alumnus of IIT, Roorkee earlier known as university of Roorkee, has been the Registrar Board of Technical Education Govt. of Delhi. For more than 15 years with a rare distinction of having got sponsored into I.A.S. by Govt. of Delhi. He has also worked as officer on Special Duty, Delhi College of Engineering, Govt. of Delhi, a prestigious Engineering College for degree, post degree and doctorate level courses for several years.

FOREWARD

The treasure of science and technology in ancient India unfolds the wonder that was India; a scientifically advanced, technologically sound, materially prosperous and above all a spiritually enlightened India. It is now aboundantly clear that ancient India has surpassed all imaginations for the advancement of human kind in all the spheres of human endeavour which include art and architecture, town planning, development of human languages, musical nodes and compositions, literally writings, decimal system of counting, rapid computations using micro mathematical sutras, natural medicines, systems of governance and above all, a profound understanding of rhythms and vibrations of nature and the intricate relationship between man, nature and the universe system. This treasure of ancient India, if sincerely and honestly deciphered, shall not only help us to understand and appreciate the magnificent heights of scientific and technological advancement in ancient India but shall also provide the much needed impetus to take the modem age of Information Technology driven developments to the unprecedented levels of wisdom propelled systems of tomorrow. The journey would then go on from present age of Information Technology, IT, to Knowledge Technology, KT and then ultimately to Wisdom Technology, WT, Gyana, the knowledge, shall then transcened to pragyana, the wisdom multifold. The summit of life with divine would then become a reality in one’s own life time as professed by Shri Aurbindo in his works on Life Divine.
A sincere and systematic attempt in this direction has been made by Shri S. Narain in his treatise on Ancient Scientists & Engineers”. Shri Narain has drawn his inspiration for this book from his earlier work on Science & Technology in Ancient India, published some years ago while he was with us as Officer on Special Duty in Delhi College of Engineering. I am indeed happy to note that in the present work Shri Narain has elucidated the novel cause of scientific advancement in ancient India pursued by ancient India’s scientists and technologists, wherein the scientists and engineers both worked relentlessly for the development of a human society with scientific temper and technological acumen.
Shri Narain has traversed the journey of science and technology developments in ancient India from the early Vedic times to the times of Varahmihir, Aryabhatha, and Bhaskaracharya of the post Gupta’s period. While Kanada, the founder of atomic theory in ancient India, from where the missiles, bombs and canons of Mahabharata were derived, the ancient system of medicines owes its profound origin in the works of Bhardwaja, Attreya, Charaka and Susurta, the Father of Surgery in ancient India. The material science genius of ancient India finds its fullest manifestation in the purity of wrought iron in the famous Iron Pillar in the Qutub Minar complex. The Nagarjuna of the ancient India and the successive clan of ancient India’s great metallurgists made it possible to produce both the purified metals as well as composites which have received wide recognition and admistation from the modern materials scientists around the world. The great Buddha statue made of mixed metals weighing several tons and having a magnificent height, so tall that it could not be taken inside the Victoria Albert Museum in London are some of the testimony of the levels of prefection attained by ancient India’s metallurgists. The decimal system of counting and the great mathematical treatises of Varahmihir and Aryabhata are still the source of inspiration for the development of faster computing and for ever increasing interest in quantum mechanics and space sciences.
The present teastise on Ancient India provides an in-depth insight into the treasure of science and technology in ancient India. I am sure while it shall inspire the younger generation of scientists and technologists around the world, it shall also lead to a new horizon for discovering its relevance to our quest for the development of a knowledge society. This publication in my opinion shall be a highly useful reference in the libraries of schools, colleges and universities in India and abroad. I wish the publication all success.

PREFACE

India has a glorious past and is the heir of one of the most intellectual and spiritual traditions of the world. However, little is known about the foundation and development of science and technology and the scientists behind this progress in ancient India.
Throughout the long centuries of ancient India’s history, the development of science and technology had been taking place, right from the times when the hymns of Rig Veda were being composed. The foundation of Algebra was laid, the science of three angular characteristics – the trignometry, the science of astronomy medicine, surgery, vetenary, and even metallurgy took birth, developed and reached a high level of advancement besides discovering zero, the fundamental abstract of all sciences. This has been achieved due to the genius of ancient scientists and technologists of India. However no adequate light has been shed on the subject, spelling out the parallels between modern sciences and Indian wisdom.
The book aims to focus on the salient features of technological development and the founders of science who shared the full credit on this phenomenal progress enviable to western countries.
I am grateful to Prof. P.B. Sharma, founder Vice Chancellor, Rajeev Gandhi Technological University, Bhopal M.P. for his Forward note of the book.
Narain

CONTENTS

    Chapter 1: The Wonder that was India
   India the Land of many a firsts
   Technological advancement
   Advancement in Metallurgy
   Sculpture and Architecture
   Mathematics and Astrology
   University of Taxila
   Nalanda University
   Foreign invasions
     Chapter 2: Growth and Development of     VariousSciences & Technology
   Development of Aryans civilization
   Fire Altars
   Growth of civil engineering and construction engineering etc.
   Layout of Altars
Development of Various Sciences
Medical Science
   Origin & growth of Medical Science in Vedic period.
   During Ashoka’s Reign
   Budhist period
  System of Medical Education
  Award of License
Military Science
  Growth in Vedic period
  Progress in Epic period Military Schools
  Curriculum of Military Science
  System of Military Education Various kinds of weapons
Industrial Art and technology
   Industrial occupation
Architecture
  Growth of Architecture around Yajnas/Altars
  Advancement during Maurya period Period of Ashoka
  Treatise of Architecture
Mathematics
  Growth during Vedic Period
  Medhatthi contribution
  Development of place value notation
  Development of numerals
  Brahmi numerals
  Gupta numerals
  Nagri numerals
Astronomy
  Origin during Vedic Period
  Garga’s contribution
  Sixty four Kalas
Chapter 3 : Ancient Scientists and Engineers
  Way of working of ancient Scientists
  Non-availability of Original Scripts
  Alterations made in the Original Scripts
  Versatility of ancient Scientists
  Scientists through various periods of ancient India
  Vedic Period
  Later Vedic Period
  Mauryas, Nandas and Gupta Period
  Prejudiced attitude of European Historians
  Discovery of the glorified past of India
VEDIC & LATER VEDIC PERIOD
Chapter 4: Bhardwaja- A Rishi, A Poineer of Ancient Medicine 
  Bhardwaja a vedic Rishi
  Seven Vedic Rishies
  Bhardwaja – the father of ancient Medicine
  Symposium on Medical Plants
  Bhardwaja as Preceptor
  Bhardwaja Ashram – the biggest one
  Bhardwaja as a Scientist – Engineer
  Birth and age of Bhardwaja
Chapter 5: Dhanvantri – The God Physician
  Legend of birth of Dhanvantri
  Battle for Supremancy
  Dhanvantri – The God of Ayurveda
Chapter 6: Vishwamitra – A Rishi, A Founder of Engineering 
  A vedic Rishi
  A founder of Engineering
  Evidence from the hymns of Rigveda
Chapter 7: Garga – The Pioneer of Astrology
  Constellations in Ancient India
  Enumeration of Constellations by Garga Age and birth of Garga
  Garga Samhita
  Age of Garga Samhita
Chapter 8: Medhatithi – First to extend numerals to billions
  Age and birth of Medhatithi
  Evidance of Rigvada and Yajur Veda . Name of Numerals
  Development of place value notation system
Chapter 9 : Lagdha – A Great Astronomer
  Period and Age of Lagdha
  Jyotisha Vedanga
  Lagdha’s Astronomy
  Contents and Principles
  Yuga, Year and Thithi
Chapter 10: Baudhayana The First Great Geometer
  Development of Science of Geometry in Ancient India
  Altars-the springing point of Geometry
  The age of Baudhayana
  Sulbha Sutra of Baudhayana
  Contents of Sulbha Sutra
  Geometrical operations in Sulbha Sutra
  Pythegorus theorem of Baudhayana
  Notable achievements in the science of Geometry
Chapter 11: Salihotra – The Father of Veterinary Science
  Veterinary Science in Ancient India
  Birth and age of Salihotra
  Hya Ayurveda – an outstanding work of Saliohtra
NANDA, MAURYA PERIOD AND LATER
Chapter 12: Kanada – A Great Atomic Scientist Philosopher
  Concept of Atom in Ancient India
  Kanada the first Atomic Philospher-Scientst. 
  Birth and age of Kanada
  The Vaisesika Sutras
  Antiquity of Vaiserika System of Kanada
Chapter 13: Susurta – The Father of Surgery
  Development of Surgery in Ancient India
  Birth and Identity of Susurta
  Age of Susurta Sanhita
  Achievements of Susurta
    i) Surgery
   ii) Amputation and Abdominal operations
  iii) Difficult surgical operations
  iv) Instructions in Practical Surgery and Anatomy
  Susruta as surgical instrument technologist
  Susurta – As teacher
  Medical Botany
  Susruta as Medical Metallurgist
Chapter 14: Nagarjuna: A Scholar, A Scientist, A Metallurgist 
  Three Nagarjunas
  Works of Nagarjuna
  Contribution made by Nagarjuna
  Nagarjuna as Metallurgist and Alchemic
  Nagarjuna as Medical Scientist
Chapter 15 : Jivaka – The Most Distinguished Physician
  Birth and age of Jivaka
  Medical education at Takshilla
  Difficult cases cured
  Cases of Surgical Operation
  Lord Buddha cured without medicines
Chapter 16: Charaka-An Ayurvedic Physician
  Birth and age of Charaka
  Charaka Sanhita
  Subject matter of Charaka Sanhita
  System of Medical Education
  Medical Oath by a Student
  Licence of Practice for an Ayurvedic Physician
  Charaka’s Anatomy and Physiology
  Three Ayurvedic Humour and their Functions
  Diagnosis
  Kinds of diseases and their causes
  Generation and development of Foetus
  Charakas drugs
Chapter 17: Patanjali – Founder of Science of Yoga
  Age and birth of Patanjali
  Aim of Yoga
  Stages of Yoga
  Theory of Yoga
  Kundaline and its awakening
  Powers of Yoga
Chapter 18 : Kapila – Promulgator of Sankhya System
  Identity of Kapila
  Origin of Sankhya
  Origin of Sankhya Philosophy
  Stages of Creation
  Comparison with Modern Theories
GUPTA AGE
Chapter 19: Varamihra – Newton of Gupta Age
  Birth and age of Varamihra
  Works of Varamihra
  Pancha Sidhantika – the Most Outstanding Work
  Five systems of Astronomy
  Pitamaha Sidhanta
  Revolving of Earth
  Varamihra as an Agronomist
  Diseases of Trees
 
Chapter 20: Arya Bhata-founder of Algebra
   Birth and age of Arya Bhatta
   Two Arya Bhattas
   Arya Bhattiya- a famous treatise
  Contribution of Arya Bhatta
      i) Foundation of Algebra laid
         Quadratic Equations
         Linear Equations
     ii) Geometry and Trigonometry
    iii) Notation of Numbers
    iv) Astronomy
HARSHA AND POST HARSHA PERIOD
Chapter 21: Brahamgupta – A Great Mathematician
   Birth and age of Brahamgupta
   Works of Brahamgupta
   Sphuta Sidhatha, Karan Khanda Khadyaka
   Contributions of Brahmagupta in algebra
   Geometry
   Science and Astronomy
   Orthodox views of Brahma Gupta
   Popularity of Brahmagupta
   Concept of Zero – Most outstanding Achievement
Chapter 22: Bhaskara the Great Algebraist and Astronome
    Birth and age of Bhaskara
    Work of Bhaskara
    Siddhanta – Shiromani
    The Marana – Kutuhala
    Siddhanta – Shiromani Part-II
    Unknown quantity
    Bhaskara’s Astronomy
   Popularity of Bhaskara’s Treatises
   Conception of Zero
Chapter 23: Vagbhata – A Great Physician
   Identity of Vagbhata
   Birth and Place of Vagbhata
   Works of Vagbhata
   Ashtanga Sangrah
   Ashtanga Hrudaya Samhita
Chapter 24: Bhoja – A Great Ship Design Engineer
   Shipping in Ancient India
   Historical Evidences
   Kind of Vessels according to Yukti Kalpa:
    i) Samanya
   ii) Visesha
   iii) Dirgha
   iv) Unnata
    Bibliography
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