Mains Daily Question
March 6, 2024
Q3. Mention the contribution of Ancient India in the field of Science and Mathematics. (10M, 150W)
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Approach to the answer: Understanding the question and structuring: The answer has one part : Contribution of ancient India in the field of science and mathematics. Introduction: Give a brief overview of development of science and mathematics in ancient India. Body: Feats of ancient India in the field of science and mathematics. Conclusion: Type 1: Give the significance of these achievements. Type 2: Summarize and state the importance of all these developments for India and the world. |
Answer: Since ancient times, India has had a glorious culture of education, science, and technology, and has made significant contributions in the fields of astronomy, arithmetic, geometry, metallurgy, the ayurvedic system of medicine, and surgery. This progress commenced right from the stone age and continued for thousands of years.
Achievements of Ancient India in the field of Science and Mathematics:
The progress in Science and Mathematics can be studied under various heads:
- Astronomy
- Harappans and Vedics Aryans were aware of various geometric shapes and directions as seen from potteries, fire altars and also graves were placed in north-south direction.
- Romaka Siddhanta was a famous book on astronomy.
- Aryabhatta in his book Aryabhatiyam estimated the circumference of earth and gave the causes of lunar and solar eclipse.
- Mathematics
- Harappans were experts in weights and measurement and knew the tools relating to ratio and proportions as evident from their brick size.
- Aryabhata is credited to invent numerals, decimal and zero and arithmetic tools like addition, subtraction etc. Further he gave the tools of Algebra and Trigonometry.
- Medical Science
- Some skeletals in Lothal and Kalibangan of Harappan phase show evidence of keyhole surgery.
- Charak’s Charaksamhita deals with Medical Science.
- Sushrutasamhita deals with the science of surgery.
- Chemistry
- Ashokan Pillars are finest examples of progress in chemical science. The polish is still intact after thousands of years.
- Most remarkable progress was made in 8th century AD where Indians tried to convert base metals into precious metals and in this process developed many acids and bases.
- Metallurgy
- The Harappan Bronze statue shows progress in making alloys.
- Mehrauli Iron pillar and Copper statue of Buddha at SultanGanj, which have not yet rusted, show the progress in Metallurgy.
Therefore India’s achievement in Science and Mathematics has been unparalleled. The progress in these fields made India one of the most progressive and prosperous nations in the world. This gives us vital learning for the present as well.
