Hinduism and contribution to science

The basis of them all

The Hindu religion  is the only one of the world's great faiths dedicated to the idea that the Cosmos itself undergoes an immense, indeed an infinite, number of deaths and rebirths. 

- Carl Sagan

Cosmology & psychology

• Around 3000 BC sage Kapil founded both cosmology and psychology.

• Shed light on the soul, the subtle elements of matter and creation

Architecture

• The excavations at Mohenjodaro and Harrappa (modern day Pakistan) show existence of a developed Urban civilisation, the Indus valley civilization - dating around 3000 BC

Architecture & Construction

• The Science of Architecture and Civil Construction was known as Sthapatya-Shastra in Ancient India

• The word Sthapatya is derived from the root word Sthapana i.e. ‘to establish’

The numbers

• Mathematics has its roots in Vedic literature which dates to 2000 BC

• Between 1000 B.C. and 1000 A.D.

Indian mathematicians introduced the concept of zero, the techniques of algebra and algorithm, square root and cube root

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Geometry and Algorithm

• An area of mathematical applications called Rekha Ganita (Line Computation).

• The Sulva Sutras, which literally mean 'Rule of the Chord' give geometrical methods of constructing altars and temples

• The temples layouts were called Mandalas

Geometrical layout of a temple

Zero

• Zero is not just a numeral - it is also a concept

• Used in computation, it was indicated by a dot and was termed Pujyam

• Use this term for zero along with the more current term Shunyam meaning a blank

• The term Pujyam also means holy • Param-Pujya -respected or esteemed

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Astronomy

• In India the first references to astronomy are Rig Veda dated around 2000 BC

• Interwoven with astrology and involved the planets (called Grahas) with the determination of human fortunes.

• The planets Shani, i.e. Saturn and Mangal i.e. Mars were considered inauspicious

Celestial Observatory

Keeping track of constellations

Aryabhatt

• Aryabhatt born in 476 A.D• He wrote ‘Aryabhattiya’ which

detailed methods for calculating the areas of triangles, volumes of spheres as well as square and cube root

Nalanda University

Metallurgy

• Indians used metals in warfare from around 1500 BC when the Aryans are said to have invaded the Indus Valley cities

• The Greek historian Herodotus has observed in the 5th century that "Indians in the Persian army used arrows tipped with iron"

Withstanding the test of time

• The Iron Pillar at Delhi was cast 1500 years ago; stands 7.32 metres tall

• Jaivana - The largest wheeled cannon, 20 feet in length, weighs 50 tons. The circumference near the tip of the barrel is 7 feet 4 inches and that of the rear is 9 feet 4 inches

Iron Pillar at New Delhi

Jaivaan

Sushrut

• Sushrut was one of the first to study the human anatomy

• His book ‘Sushrut Samahita’ -describes the study of anatomy with the aid of a dead body

• The first surgery performed was recorded in India around 800 BC

Describing surgery

• Sushrut used 125 types of surgical instruments including scalpels, lancets, needles, catheter and rectal speculums

• Made from animals bones • He has also described a number of

stitching methods; the use of horse's hair as thread and fibers of bark

Surgery

Artist’s view of ancient Indian surgical instruments

Artist’s view of an operation being performed in ancient India

Ayurveda

• Literally means 'the science of living' (longevity). Ayu means life and Veda means knowledge

Aviation• Acharya Bharadwaj in 800BC authored the ‘Yantra Sarvasva’ which includes discoveries in aviation science

For more than 30 centuries, the tree of vision, with all its thousand branches and their millions of twigs, has sprung from this torrid land, India, the burning womb of the Gods. It renews itself tirelessly showing no signs of decay…

-Romain Rolland