Science and Technology in Ancient India

In Ancient India not only great accomplishments were achieved in the fields of art and architecture, literature, philosophy etc., but many natural and pure sciences also flourished and registered remarkable growth and development. In the realm of astronomy, mathematics, biological, and medical science ancient Indians made various breakthroughs.

The earliest-known dockyard, which could berth and service ships, was situated at Lothal. Indian metallurgy was very advanced. The Mehrauli iron pillar of Delhi is seven metres high and has never rusted, is a testimony to that technology.

Contribution of Ancient India to Modern Science

India has been contributing to the fields of science and technology since ancient times. Even today, what we term as ‘traditional knowledge’ is actually based on scientific reasoning. Technology is today defined as applied science, but early humans developed technologies such as stone-working, agriculture, animal husbandry, pottery, metallurgy, textile manufacturing, woodcarving, boat-making, and sailing.

• The first stone tools in the Indian subcontinent go back more than two million years. 
• The Neolithic revolution saw the development of agriculture in parts of the Indus and the Ganges valleys, which in turn triggered the need for pots, water management, metal tools, transport, etc.
• Metallurgy brought about significant changes in human society as it gave rise to an entirely new range of weapons, tools, and implements.

Metallurgy

Metallurgy may be defined as the extraction, purification, alloying, and application of metals. Mehrgarh in Baluchistan provides the first evidence of metal in the Indian subcontinent.

• Wootz steel: Wootz steel, first produced in South India around 300 BCE, was created by carburising iron under controlled conditions.

• The products made of this Indian steel came to be known as Damascus swords.
• Wootz steel is primarily iron containing a high proportion of carbon (1.0-1.9%).
• It also spurred developments in modern metallographic studies and also qualifies as an advanced material in modern terminology since such steel are shown to exhibit super-plastic properties.
• Iron Pillar of Delhi: It consists of about six tons of wrought iron. The rust-resistant quality is chiefly due to the presence of phosphorus in the iron and this element, together with iron and oxygen from the air, contributes to the formation of a thin protective passive coating on the surface, which gets reconstituted if damaged by scratching.

• Lost Wax Technique: It was invented more than 5,000 years ago to create the finest level of detail in sculpting.
• It is a metal casting technique in which hot metal is poured into a wax model that is 'lost' during the process.
• Example: The iconic “Dancing Girl” bronze sculpture, in Mohenjo-daro, was created using the lost wax technique.

Chemistry

• Rasaratna Samuchaya: Vagbhaṭa in his Rasaratna Samuccaya gives a systematic exposition of the principal metals in a well-known text of alchemy.
  • Each metal‘s properties and medicinal uses are clearly brought out within the alchemical framework of the times.
• Rasashaastra : It literally means the “Science of Mercury”.
  • It is a specialized branch of Ayurveda dealing mainly with materials which are known as ‘Rasa dravyaas’.
  • Its evolution is traced to the Sage Nagarjuna.
  • Naagaarjuna proclaimed that the objective of the science of mercury is not limited to Alchemy (Dhaatuvaada) but also to maintain health and strengthen the body for achieving Mukti i.e. ultimate salvation.
• The Ramayan and the Mahabharata mention weapons with arrowheads coated with a variety of chemicals, indicating their knowledge of Alchemy.
• Kanad's atomic theory was the very first atomic theory ever proposed.

Medicine

• Ayurveda: Ayurveda is a science of life that emphasizes a holistic approach to health and personalized medicine.
  • The ancient schools of Hindu Philosophical teachings known as Vaisheshika and the school of logic known as Nyaya laid the groundwork for Ayurveda.
  • According to Ayurveda all objects in the universe including the human body are composed of five basic elements (Panchamahabhutas) namely, Akash, Vayu, Agni, Jala and Prithvi.
• Siddha:The Siddha system of Medicine, provides preventive, promotive, curative, rejuvenating and rehabilitative health care by adopting a scientific and holistic approach.
  • The Siddha system is believed to have evolved from 10000 - 4000 B.C.
    • With its Dravidian origin, was attributed to the reputed Siddhas, who were supposed to have evolved many life-prolonging compositions, rich in mineral medicines.
  • The Siddha system uses many preparations of plant and mineral origin in powder form, prepared through various procedures including calcination.
• Yoga: It was developed as an allied science of Ayurveda for healing without medicine at the physical and mental levels.
  • The credit for systematically presenting this goes to Patanjali.
• Veterinary Science: There is evidence of the existence of veterinary hospitals and dis- pensaries under the Mauryan Empire.
  • Veterinarians were called salihotriya, after the famous horse medicine authority Salihotra, in ancient times.

Astronomy and Space

• Vedanga Jyotisa: It is the earliest astronomical text attributed to Maharishi Lagadha dating back to the 6th century BCE.
  • It is part of the Vedangas, and it covers a wide range of topics, including the phases of the Moon, the solar and lunar calendars, and the positions of the planets.
• Maharajah Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur constructed five astronomical observatories in northern India (New Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Mathura and Varanasi).
  • The observatories, or "Jantar Mantars" incorporate multiple buildings of unique form, each with a specialized function for astronomical measurement.

Aeronautics

• Mysorean Rocket: Rockets or ‘fire-arrows’ are noted to have been in use in Europe way back in the 15th century itself. However, rockets developed during Tipu Sultan's reign, known as Mysorean rockets, were far more advanced, "primarily due to the use of iron tubes for holding the propellant."
  • These rockets used a special type of gunpowder, which produced a fierce bursting, odour, and smoke, as well as a terrifying noise.

Mathematics

• Shulba Sutras:  Baudhyana is credited with the writing of the earliest Sulba sutras which are appendices to the Vedas performing the role of manuals enunciating rules for the construction of Vedic altars (site preparation for Vedic sacrifices).
  • They throw light on various significant mathematical formulae, including the value of ‘pi’ and giving a version of the Pythagoras.
• Arithmetic: Most of the standard results in basic arithmetic were of Indian origin like the decimal system, place-value, zero, square, and cubic-roots.
  • Aryabhata I, invented a system of expressing numbers using consonants and vowels, which was based on the decimal place value principle.
• Trigonometry: It evolved as an essential component of astronomy. Most astronomical texts include reasonably accurate sine tables to facilitate quick calculations of astronomical elements.
  • Brahmagupta, Bhaskara I, and others provided formulas for calculating the sine of any angle without using a table.

Ancient Indian Scientists

In ancient India great luminaries cultivated sciences with their personal curiosity under active royal patronization. Following are some notable Indian scholars: