What ancient India really discovered and invented!

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தேமொழி

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May 11, 2016, 11:31:30 PM5/11/16

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Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/ancient-india-really-discovered-invented-110605019.html

The debate on the achievements of ancient India in science and technology continues unabated. There have been assertions, some seemingly outlandish, and counter-assertions. For instance, Union minister of science and technology, Dr Harsh Vardhan’s statement that the Pythagoras theorem and algebra were ancient India’s contribution was pooh-poohed as stretching the facts. Is it really so? Or, is their something in the contentions? We bring you the contribution of the ancient Indians – the ones acknowledged and beyond reproach. Take a peek!

1. The age of the earth

An early metrical work of Hinduism, Manusmriti, calculates the age of the earth as described in two verses where the age of earth is made in reference to the life span of Brahma. (Brahma is revered as the god of creation in Hinduism).

Professor Arthur Holmes, a geologist and a professor at the University of Durham writes in his book, The Age of Earth (1913), “Long before it became a scientific aspiration to estimate the age of the earth, many elaborate systems of the world chronology had been devised by the sages of antiquity. The most remarkable of these occult time-scales is that of the ancient Hindus, whose astonishing concept of the earth’s duration has been traced back to Manusmriti, a sacred book.“

In the 5th century, the ancients Indians had stated that the earth was 4.3 billion years as compared to the Europeans who believed that our planet was about 100 million years old. But modern science has calculated the age of the earth to be about 4.6 billion years, incredibly close to the 4.3 predicted by the ancients almost 15 centuries earlier.

Today, scientists across the world believe that the solar system and the earth is about 4.54 billion years, deciphered by the radiometric reading.

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2. Concept of relativity

Alan Watts, a professor, graduate school dean and research fellow of Harvard University, drew heavily on the insights of Vedanta. He said, "To the philosophers of India, however, Relativity is no new discovery, just as the concept of light years is no matter for astonishment to people used to thinking of time in millions of kalpas - A kalpa is about 4,320,000 years.”

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3. Trigonometry and optics

Varāhamihira, an astronomer, mathematician, and astrologer, of the 5th century defined the concepts of refraction and reflection. He also defined the algebraic properties of zero as well as of negative numbers. A L Basham, an Australian Indologist, writes in his book, The Wonder That was India, "The world owes most to India in the realm of mathematics, which was developed in the Gupta period to a stage more advanced than that reached by any other nation of antiquity.”

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4. Discovery of gravity

More than 5,000 year-old, Rig Veda stated through verses that the gravitational force held the universe together and the sun was at the center of the universe; thousands of years before Newton and Copernicus discovered it. This finding is supported by an American writer, Dick Teresi, in his book – Lost Discoveries. The book is a comprehensive study of the ancient non-western foundations of modern science.

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5. Pythagoras theorem

It was ancient Indian mathematician Baudhāyana who wrote about a theorem similar to the modern Pythagoras theorem in the book Baudhāyana Śulbasûtra in 800 BC. The book is also said to be the oldest books on advanced mathematics. It is also speculated that Pythagoras travelled extensively and even visited India, after which he is said have revealed the Pythagoras theorem. In a six-page essay on the book written by Kim Plofker, Mathematics in India, ( a western historian of mathematics), Brown University Mathematician, David Mumford, writes, “There is the use of Pythagoras’ famous theorem in the construction of pillars in India, some centuries before the Greek philosopher is said to have postulated it.”

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6. The zero

The so called Arabic numerals and positional decimal numeral system, originated in India. However, it was popularized by the Arabs, who later took it to the west. The superiority of this number system stems from the fact that the roman numerals did not have a zero, making it difficult to carry out mathematical calculations. It was Aryabhata, who is said to have discovered zero and clearly defined the usage of decimal system. He names the first 10 decimal places and gives algorithms for obtaining square and cubic roots, utilizing the decimal number system. Marquis Pierre Simon de Laplace, an 18th century French mathematician, philosopher, and astronomer, stated, “It is India which gave us the ingenious method of expressing all numbers by 10 symbols.”

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7. Cotton fabric

The fibre that clothes the modern world, finds its mention in a Rig Veda hymn as “threads in the loom.” Historians also believe that when Alexander invaded India, his soldiers found the new fabric, cotton, much more comfortable that the traditional leather and wool that they were used to. They then popularized the fabric in ancient Europe. Herodotus, an ancient Greek historian, describes Indian cotton as "a wool exceeding in beauty and goodness that of sheep.”

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8. High-quality steel

Ancient India’s expertise is metallurgy is reiterated in the form of its architecture marvels. It was said that as early as 200 BC, high quality steel was being produced in India, through what the Europeans would call as the crucible technique.

William James Durant, an American writer, historian, and philosopher writes in his famous book, The Story of Civilization, “Something has been said about the chemical excellence of cast iron in ancient India, and about the high industrial development of the Gupta times, when India was looked to, even by Imperial Rome, as the most skilled of the nations. By the sixth century the Hindus were far ahead of Europe in industrial chemistry; they were masters of calcinations, distillation, sublimation, steaming, fixation, the production of light without heat, the mixing of anesthetic and soporific powders, and the preparation of metallic salts, compounds and alloys. The tempering of steel was brought in ancient India to a perfection unknown in Europe till our own times.”

Image source:Topindiatravel.com

9. Takshashila University

Around 800 BC, a giant University at Takshashila (often called Taxila) existed in the north-western region of India. At that time even the concept of University was unknown to the world.

Joseph Needham, a British scientist, historian and sinologist known for his scientific research and writing, wrote in his book, Within the Four Seas: The Dialogue of East and West, "When the men of Alexander the Great came to Taxila in India in the fourth century BC they found a university there the like of which had not been seen in Greece, a university which taught the three Vedas and the eighteen accomplishments and was still existing when the Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hsien went there about AD 400.”

Image source:Wikipedia

10. Chess (Chaturanga)

Chaturanga is a Sanskrit word which was used to refer to an ancient Indian strategy game, the ancestor to Makruk, Xiangqi, Janggi and finally the modern game of chess. It was said to have been developed during the Gupta period between 6th and 7th century AD in India. The game, primarily based on a battle plan, comprised of four parts of the army – elephants, chariots, horses and foot soldier; apart from the king and the minister.

Harold James Ruthven Murray, an English educationalist and a prominent chess historian was among the first few modern historians who proposed the theory that chess originated in India. Published in 1913, A History of Chess, is a comprehensive book on the subject.

Image source: Wikipedia

தேமொழி

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May 11, 2016, 11:40:32 PM5/11/16

to மின்தமிழ்

On Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 8:31:30 PM UTC-7, தேமொழி wrote:

Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/ancient-india-really-discovered-invented-110605019.html

Reactions and comments so far :-

J Chand14 minutes ago
Even though many intellectuals and great scientists realized that India is the mother of knowledge to this world , India remains humble and silent with great wisdom. Let us all stand as symbol of greatness of our mother India and prove by our behaviour, wisdom and spiritual knowledge the greatness of India.
sarae15 minutes ago
But that still beat and kill their females
T-219 minutes ago
are you sure? i thought indians were busy bathing in cow pisz.
G19 minutes ago
Those indian savages and rapists know how to rape women.
22 minutes ago
Intelligence doesnt come to the brain all of a sudden. If you are smart now, it also means that your ancestors 1000 years ago had some piece of that smartness. If you think yoga is great, think about the folks who arrived at that art a few thousand years back. Whether you foul mouth them or give them credit, is entirely upto you....however, no matter what you do wouldnt alter their wisdom.
God Bless28 minutes ago
Very nice article. I am also looking at the educated comments completing the list. Thanks.
R30 minutes ago
They forgot rape
u30 minutes ago
I am surprised first time any positive thing is posted for India, otherwise it is shown as rapist country or communal country , anti muslim or anti christian etc or so many things. What happend guys. really surprised. But just want to add that it is only because of humble hindus. Though the population of hindus is decreasing in india because of force conversion to muslim, christianity and sikhs.
- Sudhi9 minutes ago
  That is exactly what I had in my mind as well. Finally something positive about India. Not that there are no negatives but there are tons of good stuff which has to come out yet.
just me33 minutes ago
No biggy ...especially if they are claiming to have "Invented" evilution....LMAO....Of course, they also were the first to go to the moon, 1st to create gold from lead, and the first t invent the internet, I Pods, and television....Right?
TroubleMaker33 minutes ago
They also invented the use of curry in every food they eat...
SmartI37 minutes ago
Fellow Earthians, it was indeed a sad part that religious hatred, negligence, and invasions resulted in diminishing the great contributions of this land. History is WHAT is told and written, what about things that were vernacular languages? Example is Yoga, breathing techniques, 'desire for peace and Nirvana'. No written documentation existed for Yoga and breathing techniques.
Five elements that made the entire universe: space (or "ether"), air, fire, water and earth. I have a great respect for other civilizations and their contribution. But, JUST credit should be given to those, who actually invented or contributed to the modern world that we see today.
consumer38 minutes ago
Let's not forget all major religions also originated in India, along with dance, music, and the development of interesting foods. Abraham, another name for God Ram or Brahma, originated in India. Baptism is a symbolic dipping in the Ganges. I think you must know that!
- bactam4 minutes ago
  All Major religions? Christianity, Islam, Judaism Zoroastrianism did not originate in India.
Sarat39 minutes ago
Thoughtful compilation of contribution of ancient India to the world.Great effort & research.Very much appreciated.
Gary Miller42 minutes ago
Well- at last, something positive is posted on India and Hindus! usually, it all negative about India. I might add another thing- Only in India the Muslims are living a secular lifestyle and being more progressive- due to the Hindu influence. I hope the Chriostian missionaries read this and leave the Hinduis alone, instead of converting them into intolerant Christians.
M W CHRISTOPHERSON44 minutes ago
IN OTHER BRAKING KNEWZ: The head of the Clinton Crime Family Foundation For Fraud and Future Fraud aka (CCFFFFaFF) is admitting Web Hubbell's Daughter's Husband has los 90% of the Greek Hedge Fund Money entrusted to his superior skills at taking care of OPM. Apparently he did not inherit the Multiplying skills that Hillary and Monica's boyfriend are so well known for.
- ward15 minutes ago
  What does this have to do with this article?
Craig Robertson47 minutes ago
Seems plausible to me.
Nobody50 minutes ago
Vimana
guest54 minutes ago
Achievements of ancient India
D4 hours ago
i. this article forgot to include ayurveda, the most succinct form of natural medicine,
ii. contribution to surgery - even modern surgical instruments use the instrument created by doctor of surgery Sushruta Samhita in 800BC.
iii.formal documentation of sanskrit grammar being the foundation of modern computer languages (look up BNF)
iv. schrodinger reading up on the vedas and the gita for quantum physics, also most physicsts deriving their concepts from the same to assertly apply their thoughts and theories
v. can't forget yoga, the most natural form of mind, body and soul to achieve ultimate convergence and acceptance with the universe. most people only apply the body part since the rest seems too mumbo jumbo which can be a challenge due to lack of intellect or appreciation or acceptance of the how we are connected
vi. last but not the least - maya (nothing to do with mayan), but the duality of reality/consciousness/illusion. stephan hawkin is now suddenly saying everything is an illusions as if he found it..
- Bóhrt Áhknąs1 hour ago
  Pre-classification is the root of synergy.
- Ron14 minutes ago
  Sorry, Yoga is stupid and useless. Better to leave it off the list along with gurus and swamis, also stupid and useless.
Trace13 hours ago
Aryans in the north of India created a great empire.
- Gary Miller41 minutes ago
  You propagating the Aryan myth?
Iain16 hours ago
To be so clever and educated in the 5th century ,their country (or at least parts of it has stagnated there).Its a lovely place populated by and large with very nice people ,but it has a long way to go until it has dragged itself from the 3rd world
- Eric X4 hours ago
  Let us not forget that it was the British that made it a third world nation by destroying it so as to make it "the crown jewel" of their empire!
- ks51 minutes ago
  @eric, no it wasnt british alone, but it were those invading arabs since 2000 yrs. Then the Portuguese and the french.
- Gary Miller40 minutes ago
  India has numerous problems due to population, but the country is still a miracle- despite all the problems, still maintains a democracy! Still progressing!

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