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VVM – Indian Contributions to Science
Chapter – 1, India’s contribution to science and technology

(From Ancient to Modern)
 Advancements in science and technology have been the

major reason for the development of human civilization.
 Even today, what we term as ‘traditional knowledge’ is
actually based on scientific reasoning.
 Pre-Independence The history of scientific discoveries and
development in India dates back to the Vedic era.
Aryabhatta, the famous mathematician of the Vedic era,
invented ‘zero’. It is believed that ancient Indian scholars
had developed geometric theorems before Pythagoras had
made them popular. The concept of squares, rectangles,
circles, triangles, fractions, and the ability to express
number 10 to the 12th power, algebraic formulae, and
astronomy have all had their origins in Vedic literature;
some are stated to have been known as early as 1500 BCE.
The decimal system was already in use during the
Harappan Civilization.
 This is evident in their use of weights and measures.
Moreover, the concepts of astronomy and metaphysics
are all described in the Rig Veda, an ancient Hindu text of
the Vedic era. From the complex layout of Harappan
towns to the existence of the Iron Pillar in Delhi, it is
evident that India’s indigenous technologies had been very
sophisticated. They included the design and planning of
water supply, traffic flow, natural air conditioning, complex
stone work and construction engineering. It was the first
civilization to have these features.
 While other ancient civilizations of the world were small
towns with one central complex, the Indus Valley
Civilization had the distinction of being spread across a
region about half the size of Europe. Weights and linguistic
symbols were found for a period of over 1000 years, from
around 3000 BCE to 1500 BCE.
1. Water Management
 Water has been the life blood of most major civilizations.

 Indians had been developing water management
techniques even before the Harappan time.
 Wells, ponds, lakes, dams and canals have been
constructed with advanced technologies.
 Water has been used for storage, drinking and purposes of
irrigation.
 There are more than a million man-made ponds and lakes
in India.
2. Iron and Steel
 Iron and steel have literally been the pillars of modern

civilization. Ancient India was famous for producing rust-
free iron. This metal from India was famous in Europe for
sword making. The famous Iron Pillar of Delhi is an
example. It is almost rust free even today.
3. Farming Techniques
 Indian farming technology was ahead of its time. It

included soil testing techniques, crop rotation methods,
irrigation plans, application of eco-friendly pesticides and
fertilizers, storage methods for crops, etc.
4. Physics
 The concept of atom can be traced to the Vedic times.

 The world was divided into five elements, namely, earth
(Prithvi), fire (Agni), air (Vayu), water (Jal) and ether or
space (Akasha).
 Paramanu (beyond atom) was considered to be the
smallest particle, which cannot be divided further.
(Electrons, neutrons, protons).
5. Medicine and Surgery
 Ayurveda (Ayur means life, Veda means knowledge) is

probably the oldest system of medical science. Knowledge
about various ailments, diseases, symptoms, diagnosis and
cure is Ayurveda. Many scholars like Charaka and Susruta
have inscribed Ayurveda in written form.
6. Shipping and Shipbuilding
 Shipbuilding was one of India’s major export industries till

the British banned it. Medieval Arab sailors purchased
boats from India. The Portuguese also obtained their boats
from India. Some of the world’s largest and most
sophisticated ships were built in India and China. The
compass and other navigation tools were already in use in
India, much before Europe. Using their expertise in the
science of maritime travel, Indians participated in the
earliest known ocean-based trading system.
Post-Independence
 Significant achievements have been made in the areas of
nuclear and space science, electronics and defense.
 India has the third largest scientific and technical
manpower in the world.
 In the field of Missile Launching Technology, India is
among the top five nations of the world.
 Science and technology were brought to India with the
establishment of the Department of Science and
Technology (DST) in May 1971.
 DST plays the role of a department for organizing,
coordinating and promoting science and technology in the
country.
 Our country gets maximum results in agriculture and
industry.
 Indian scientists are making research in the fields of
agriculture, medicine, biotechnology, cold regions
research, communications, environment, industry, mining,
nuclear power, space and transportation.
 Now, India has the expertise in the fields of astronomy
and astrophysics, liquid crystals, condensed matter
physics, molecular biology, virology, and crystallography,
software technology, nuclear power and defense research
and development.
1. Atomic Energy
 The objective of India’s nuclear energy is to use it to

generate power, and apply the technology for further
progress in agriculture, medicine, industry and research.
 India is, today, one of the most advanced countries in
nuclear technology. Accelerators and nuclear power
reactors are designed and built indigenously.
2. Space
 Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is the sixth

largest space research organization in the world.
 It was created in 1969.
 India’s first satellite Aryabhatta was built by ISRO in 1975.
 In 2008, Chandrayaan-1 became India’s first mission to the
moon.
 Chandrayaan-2 was launched on 2019.
 The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), under the
Department of Space (DOS, created in June 1972), is
responsible for research in the space through satellite
communications, remote sensing for resource survey,
environmental monitoring, meteorological services etc.
 India is the only Third World country to develop its own
remote-sensing satellite.

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VVM – Indian Contributions to Science

Chapter – 1, India’s contribution to science and technology

 Advancements in science and technology have been the

 Water has been the life blood of most major civilizations.

 Iron and steel have literally been the pillars of modern

 Indian farming technology was ahead of its time. It

 The concept of atom can be traced to the Vedic times.

 Ayurveda (Ayur means life, Veda means knowledge) is

6. Shipping and Shipbuilding

 Shipbuilding was one of India’s major export industries till

 The objective of India’s nuclear energy is to use it to

 Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is the sixth

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