India, Science and Science Communication In

Science in Ancient India

A rich heritage in science is visible in the widespread archaeological evidence of the early Indus Valley civilization, evidence that has been found in about 1,500 different places. This evidence includes remains of systematically laid out towns, structures, and beautiful bronze and other sculptures belonging to the period from around 2750 BCE to 1900 BCE. The Indus Valley civilization was followed by Vedic culture (appearing around 1500 BCE). The remains of this period include a port that can be seen in Lothal (Gujarat). Agriculture was advanced, as evidenced by vestiges of henna, shikakai, grapes, and aanwala (emblic). Education flourished in centers such as Nalanda University (in present day Bihar) and other sites in the 5th century BCE. Charak (circa the 2nd century CE) and Sushrut (circa 4th century CE) made marks in Ayurveda (or science of life). Around 300 different surgical procedures and over 100 instruments were known; the surgical textbook known as Sushrut Samhita describes rhinoplasty, for example, in detail.

The Arabic numerals were actually invented in India, although they traveled to the West via the Arab world. In the 5th century CE, Aryabhata I estimated the diameters of the earth and moon, described the earth's axial rotation, and calculated the value of the ratio of circumference of a circle to its diameter (Pi) to the fourth decimal place. The concept of the decimal system had been developed by this time. Around the 7th or 8th century CE, Brahmagupta worked out solutions to indeterminate second-order equations. Such progress [Page 386]continued into the 13th century, including work in chemistry by Nagarjuna (10th century) and others. The 1,500-year-old, 23-foot 8-inch, rust-free iron pillar at Mehrauli (Delhi) is testimony to the skill in metallurgy. Materials written during Emperor Akbar's time (the end of the 16th century) contained astronomical data, and Akbar's son Jehangir (1569–1627 CE) systematically recorded the behavior of birds, reptiles, and animals and recorded how an iron meteorite was used to fabricate a sword. These years also saw many architectural wonders being erected but saw few serious efforts in science. Around the same time, in 1600 CE, the East India Company entered India as merchants and gradually gained political power.

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