Hindu and Indian History — Contribution to Science, Mathematics and Philosophy
Bhārat (India) has made incredible discoveries and contributions in the progress of humanity in a variety of fields. From Science and Mathematics to Philosophy and Spirituality and so much more.
During the summer of 2020, I had the opportunity to deliver a talk on Hindu and Bhāratiya (Indian) history covering around 2,000 years from 300 BCE to 1700.
During my research, I came across some fascinating findings from the rise and fall of empires to science and mathematical discoveries and the resistance from foreign invasions.
This series of Hindu and Bhāratiya History will summarise these findings so we can all learn about the great and proud history of the Hindu and Bhāratiya (Indian) civilisation.
Part one of this series covered the Rise and Fall of Empires. Part two will focus on the Contribution to Science, Mathematics and Philosophy.
1000 BCE to 800 BCE: Mahārishi Sushruta and the Sushruta Samhita
Between 1000 BCE and 800 BCE, mahārishi (the great sage) Sushruta compiled the Sushruta Samhita, an ancient Sanskrit text on medicine and surgery. Sushruta is known as the “Father of surgery” and is said to have carried out the first-ever cosmetic surgery on a human being. The surgery he carried out was plastic surgery on a patient’s nose.
The Sushruta Samhita is used even today and is one of the foundational texts of Āyurveda, the ancient Bhāratitya (Indian) practice of natural medicine and the science of longevity.
400 BCE to 200 BCE: Mahārishi Charaka and the Charaka Samhita
Mahārishi (sage) Charak was one of the principal contributors to Āyurveda, the ancient Bhāratitya (Indian) practice of medicine and the science of longevity. He believed in the concept of “prevention is better than cure” and emphasised the connection of the soul, mind and body.
It was some time between 400 BCE and 200 BCE when Charak made scientific discoveries of the human body relating to blood circulation and the heart, diet, digestion, immunity, metabolism, the 3 doshas (Kapha, Vata and Pita), medicine etc.
Mahārishi Charak’s discoveries were later compiled into the Charaka Samhita which is today considered the encyclopedia of Āyurveda.
476 CE — 550 CE: The discoveries of Āryabhatt
Āryabhatt studied at the ancient Nālanda university and made many mathematical and astronomical discoveries which are documented in at least two of his works, the Āryabhatiya and the now lost Āryabhatasiddhānta.
Some of his discoveries included;
- that the sun is at the centre of the solar system
- that the earth rotates around the sun
- that it takes a total of 365 days, 6 hours and 12 mins to complete one rotation i.e. one year
- that the earth spins on an axis which is the cause of day and night
- that the moon and planets shine due to the reflected sunlight
- the cause of solar and lunar eclipses
- the approximation of Pi to 3.1416
- the circumference of the earth
- extracting square roots
- solving quadratic equations
The Āryabhatiya was translated into Latin in the 13th century which then become the source of discoveries for European mathematicians.
700 CE: Ādi Shankarāchārya
Ādi Shankarāchārya was born at a time when the Hindu society was divided on the teachings of the scriptures. Many varying interpretations resulted in conflict and division amongst the society.
Ādi Shankarāchārya travelled all over Bhārat (India) and spread the scriptural teachings. He propounded and wrote commentaries on the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagwad Geetā etc. as well as clarified the teachings through discussions and debates.
He also gave the Advait Vedānt philosophy and established the 4 mathas (monasteries) in the north, east, south and west of Bhārat representing the 4 Vedas and headquarters of the Vedānta philosophy.
1114 CE: Bhāskrāchārya
Born in 1114, Bhāskrāchārya was a mathematician and astronomer who extended Brahmagupta’s work on number systems. He was the head of the astronomical observatory at Ujjain, the leading mathematical centre in Bhārat at that time.
Some of his discoveries included work on;
- Algebra
- Arithmetic
- Geometry
- Notes on the force of gravity
- Reached an understanding of the number systems and solving equations which were not to be achieved in Europe for several centuries later
So much more…
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Bhārat’s (India’s) and Hindu discoveries and contributions. There is so much more which has been contributed in the fields of yoga, spirituality, metallurgy, maritime, architecture, chemistry etc.
