Our motherland India coupled with a brilliant past right since the days of the Indus Valley Civilisation, has many significant achievements to its credit in the fields of art, architecture, culture, liberation, religion, science, medicine, astronomy, mathematics, arithmetic and geometry. For ages India has been respected by the world as the land of many great intellects and scholars. In ancient India, lived some of the world’s great   philosophers, scientists, mathematicians, astronomers, physicians, surgeons, grammarians and writers. They have immense contributions to the world of science, technology, medicine and mathematics, which are relevant in the 21st century. 

In the great Indus Valley civilization that flourished in 2500 BC, a mathematical system based on a ten-base method was in use. Weights and measuring systems with accurate decimal calculations existed in that age.

In the Vedic age, during 2000-1500 BC, arithmetic and geometry were studied as separate subjects. Arithmetic progression is explained in ‘Yajurveda’, one of the oldest literary compositions. Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras (582-500 BC) developed his famous ‘Pythagoras theorem’. But this theorem was discovered in India 300 years before Pythagoras by Boudhayana in 800 BC. Pythagoras learnt his basic geometry from the geometrical treatises ‘Sulva Sutra’ written by Boudhayana.

It was India that taught the World how to count. The ‘place value’ and the ‘decimal’ system were developed in this country as far as 100 BC. The number system was also invented by ancient Indian scholars. Pingalacharya was the inventor of  ‘Zero’ in 200 BC.

Great Indian mathematician and astronomer Aryabhatta I was the first to explain the spherical shape, size, diameter, rotation and correct speed of earth in 499 AD. He is also supposed to be the inventor of ‘Algebra’. He added zero to the science of mathematics.  Brahmagupta, a great mathematician was the first to use algebra in solving problems in astronomy in 700 AD.  Even in the distant past, about in 1300 BC , Ashwalayana and Patanjali observed the Pole Star ‘Dhruba Tara’. Kapila in 7th or 8th century BC was the first to give a theory of the evolution of the Universe. Patanjali, a great man of knowledge discovered ‘sound waves’.

World famous scientist Sir Isaac Newton’s ‘Law of Gravitational Force’ is an ancient Indian discovery.  Bhaskaracharya II in his book ‘Siddhanta Siromani’ gave a clear description of the gravity of Earth about 400 years before Newton. He made very important contribution to astronomy and spherical trigonometry and used calculus to determine the daily motion of planets. Aryabhatta II explained many new concepts in his famous treatise on astronomy called ‘Arya Siddhanta’ in 950 AD.

The value of ‘Pi’ originated in India. The value of pi was first calculated by Aryabhatta I in 499 AD, more than 1350 years before Lindemann, who re-invented it.

Even in the field of medicine ancient India’s contribution stands apart. Ayurveda, the earliest form of medicine known to the human civilization, is India’s gift to the world. It was practised in India during the Vedic Age, 3,500 years ago. The first known teacher of this science of Ayurveda was Dhanvantri, a man of great wisdom. Also, surgery was first started in India about 2600 years ago. At that time, surgeons like Sushruta undertook complicated surgery like caesarean operations, cataract and fitting of artificial limbs, correcting fractures, removing urinary stones and even plastic and brain surgery. Sushruta is therefore rightly called ‘The father of plastic surgery’. Charaka was also a great health scientist of ancient India. The usage of anesthesia was well known in ancient India.

Ancient India had remarkable achievements in the field of education. The world’s first University was established at Takshila in 700 BC. More than 10,000 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects there. The Nalanda University in 4th century AD was also a milestone in the field of education. Sanskrit, which is the mother of all languages of the world is the language of Indian soil.

Yoga is a valuable gift of ancient India to the world. The saints of ancient India have made many miracles by Yoga. They have mentioned the methods to cure many diseases by Yoga and to keep us physically fit, active and disease free.

Indians were the first to navigate the choppy seas and the word ‘navigation’ owes its origin to the Sanskrit word ‘navgatih’. Chess was also invented in India. The earliest dam and reservoir was built in ancient India, in Saurashtra (now a part of Gujarat). The shape of all atomic reactors in the world is an Indian origin too. All the atomic reactors are built in the shape of Shiva Linga, an elemental form of Lord Shiva, who is an Indian Hindu God.