Science and technology in ancient and medieval India covered all the major branches of human knowledge and activities, including mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, mechanical and production technology, civil engineering and architecture, and shipbuilding and navigation.
Ancient India was not only a land of sages, saints and seers but those of scholars and scientists as well. Ancient India's contribution to science and technology include:
Mathematics- Vedic literature is replete with concepts of zero, the techniques of algebra and algorithm, square root and cube root. Arguably, the origins of Calculus lie in India 300 years before Leibnitz and Newton.
Astronomy- Rig Veda (2000 BC) refers to astronomy.
Chemistry- Principles of chemistry did not remain abstract but also found expression in distillation of perfumes, aromatic liquids, manufacturing of dyes and pigments, and extraction of sugar.
Medical science & surgery - Around 800 BC, first compendium on medicine and surgery was complied in ancient India.
This unique reference set seeks to bring the most authentic writings on all these subjects. The set is a pioneering work as no such reference work on an important area such as this has ever been attempted before. |
