Some days before I read an article about “THE HISTORY OF INDIAN SCIENCE” where I learned various Intresting things of the science in ancient India . While reading that article a question came I to my mind that “ what might have happened to the most glorious scientific civilization ( of its time) that it almost vanished?”
(This is my point of view about the topic that I have developed by reading various research papers available online)
The history of INDIA began with the story of HARAPPAN or INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION which was into existence from ~7000 to 1400BC. In 1930 john Marshall put the age of India's oldest civilization as more than 3000BC this was the time when she was most mature and was at it's pick.
Now taking about science, in ancient India the most developed field of science was mathematic most prominent mathematical scientists were Aryabhatta(AD476) , Bhaskara-1(AD600) , Sridharachary (AD900), Sripati(AD1036), Bhaskara-2(AD1150). These people have developed many concepts. The modern numbric system “ Arabic” has it's origin in ancient India . The concept of zero was just one of many.
In ancient India most of the knowledge was transferred orally . This vast knowledge was compiled by the grate scientists. Many books were written at that time naming few are : “GANITIKA” by Sripati it had the concept of permutations and combination properties . In “LILAVATI ” concept of number theory and calculus were Intorduced. In “ARYABAHTIYA” by Aryabhatta has the reference of earth spinning about it's axis and how ellipse occur. In the book “ siddhantha siromani” compiled in 1000 BC the Earth's diameter was calculated to be 7840 miles and distance between earth and .on as 253000miles ( the modern values are 7927.7 miles & 25710 miles respectively).
One among the oldest text of world the “ Atharva Veda" contents the details of “Ayurveda” . Ayurveda text list about 700 plants , 1900 formulation, animal products from 165 spices and large number of minerals . Ancient phycisians were able to perform plastic surgery ( description of surgical reacement of nose is found In sjshrathra smhita written by sushratha).
In HARAPPAN period metals like copper , silver, gold and alloy like bronze were present . This show that harappans had the knowledge of metallurgy. “ Kautilya arthasastra” written by kautilya a minister in morya empire defines the working of mines. Ancient Indians have bulid the most magnificent Architectural structure some of them are present today.
Then why such a broad cultural of science can not be continued?
Decline of scienctific activities
As Indian scientists were excellent in many field, they were In search of more knowledge that makes them travel to foreign countries. It is quite possible that ancient Indian know about the development happening outside India and acknowledge it's value and use it in there contribution. But when conservatism ( rudivadita) sets in and foreign travel was tabooed by brahmans Indian scientists were isolated from rest of world.
India was a rich region it attracts many Invaders which led to the chance of Kings . Every king has different approach it prevented institionalization of knowledge in India. Kings and nobles stared using science for there own benefits and the created some myths for common people which further turned into superstition .
It is well said that “ Necessity is the mother of innovation”. But India picture was different as society was mainly dependent on Agricultural and was growing sufficiently and climate was moderate necessities of people were full field so innovation didn't happened. While the condition in Europe was different, the climate of Europe was cold and people were dieing because of epidemic and the days were short leads to the invention of electricity and science.
