Astronomy
Astronomy has made great strides. Planetary motion became emphasized and closely monitored.
The Jyotisha Vedanga texts established systematic categories in astronomy, but Aryabhatta(499 AD) dealt with the more fundamental issue.
His Aryabhattiya is a short text of 121 verses. It includes sections on astronomical definitions, methods for determining the true position of the planets, the movement of the sun and moon, and the calculation of eclipses.
The earth was a sphere that rotated on its axis, and when the earth’s shadow fell on the moon, it caused a Lunar eclipse, and when the moon’s shadow fell on the earth, it caused a Solar eclipse. The orthodox theory, on the other hand, explained it as a process in which the demon swallowed the planet.
Varahamihira described all of these observations in Pancha Siddhantika, which summarizes the five schools of astronomy prevalent at the time.
Aryabhatta deviated from Vedic astronomy and gave it a scientific perspective, which later astronomers followed.
In ancient India, astrology and horoscopes were studied. Aryabhatta’s theories marked a significant departure from astrology, which emphasized beliefs over scientific explorations.
Mathematics
Harappa’s town planning demonstrates that the people were well-versed in measurement and geometry. By the third century AD, mathematics had evolved into a distinct field of study. The Sulbasutras are thought to be the source of Indian mathematics.
Apastamba introduced practical geometry involving acute, obtuse, and right angles in the second century BC. This knowledge aided in the construction of fire altars on which the kings sacrificed.
The notation system, the decimal system, and the use of zero were the three most important contributions to mathematics.
The Arabs brought the notations and numerals to the West. These numerals took the place of Roman numerals. In the second century BC, Zero was discovered in India.
Brahmagupta’s Brahmasputa Siddhanta was the first book to mention ‘zero’ as a number; thus, Brahmagupta is known as the man who discovered zero. He explained how to use zero with other numbers.
Aryabhatta discovered algebra as well as the area of a triangle, which led to the development of trigonometry.
The Surya Siddhanta is a well-known work. Another seminal work in the field of astronomy is Varahamihira’s Brihatsamhita from the sixth century AD.
His discovery that the moon rotated around the earth and the earth rotated around the sun was widely accepted, and subsequent discoveries were based on this assertion.
Mathematics and astronomy, when combined, sparked an interest in time and cosmology.
These astronomical and mathematical discoveries became the foundations for further research and progress.
Medicine
The Atharva Veda was the first to mention diseases, cures, and medicines. The diseases mentioned are fever, cough, consumption, diarrhea, dropsy, sores, leprosy, and seizures.
Diseases are thought to be caused by demons and spirits entering one’s body. The remedies suggested were full of magical charms and spells.
The period of rational sciences began around 600 BC. Takshila and Taranasi emerged as medical and educational hubs. Charak Samhita by Charak and Sushrutsamhita by Sushruta are two important texts in this field.
The fact that their work reached as far as China and Central Asia through translations in various languages demonstrates the significance of their efforts.
Charaksamhita mentions medicinal plants and herbs.
Around the fourth century AD, surgery became recognized as a distinct field.
This discipline was pioneered by Sushruta. He regarded surgery as “the highest division of the healing arts and the least susceptible to error.” He makes reference to 121 surgical instruments.
Along with this, he discusses operation methods such as bone setting, cataract removal, and so on. Ancient Indian surgeons were well-versed in plastic surgery (repair of noses, ears and lips).
Sushruta mentions 760 different plants. All plant parts, including roots, barks, flowers, and leaves, were used.
Diet was emphasized (e.g. salt free diet for nephrites). Both the Charaksamhita and the Sushrutsamhita were precursors to the later development of Indian medicine.
However, surgery suffered in the early medieval period because the act of dissecting with a razor was taken over by a barber.