The Forgotten Scientists of Ancient India

Spread the love

India is known around the world for its rich culture, ancient temples, and stories from mythology. These tales of gods and legends are beautiful and meaningful, but they often hide another important part of our history — India’s real scientific achievements.

Long before many modern discoveries, ancient Indian thinkers were already exploring science. They studied stars, numbers, medicine, atoms, and even surgery. They wrote detailed books, created new methods, and shared knowledge that was far ahead of their time.

You may have heard of Newton or Einstein in school, but do you know about Acharya Kanad, who talked about atoms 2,000 years ago? Or Sushruta, who was doing surgery when most of the world had no idea about it? Or Pingala, who worked with binary numbers — the base of computer science today?

Sadly, these great minds have been forgotten by many due to centuries of invasions. Their books were lost or ignored. Their names were left out of school books. Over time, they faded into the background while others were remembered.

This blog is here to bring their stories back. Let’s explore a part of our past that’s often left behind — not myths, but real science from real people who lived in ancient India.

Ancient India’s Scientific Spirit

Long ago, India was not just a land of stories and prayers — it was also a place where science, logic, and learning were deeply respected. Great minds worked in libraries, temples, and schools called Gurukuls and Mahaviharas (like Nalanda and Takshashila). They observed nature, wrote down their thoughts, and tested ideas through logic and experience.

These early Indian thinkers didn’t see science and spirituality as separate. They believed that understanding the world — through stars, plants, numbers, or the human body — was also a way to understand the truth of life. Because of this, fields like mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and metallurgy grew quickly in ancient India.

Many of these discoveries were written in Sanskrit, in books called shastras, sutras, and samhitas. Some of these texts were passed down carefully, but many were lost in time due to invasions, fires, or just being forgotten.

During the colonial period, British and European writers focused only on their own scientists and often ignored or doubted Indian knowledge. They sometimes even said that India never had real science — which was untrue. Sadly, even today, many schools and history books don’t include these brilliant minds.

But times are changing.

Now, people are starting to look back and ask:

“Who were the real scientists of ancient India? What did they discover? And why don’t we talk about them more?”

That’s exactly what we’ll explore in the next section — the forgotten heroes who shaped science long before modern times.

Forgotten Legends of Ancient India

Let’s meet the real minds behind India’s early scientific discoveries. These thinkers were far ahead of their time, but sadly, many of us have never heard their names.

1. Acharya Kanad — The Sage Who Spoke of Atoms (6th Century BCE)

Acharya Kanad was an ancient Indian philosopher and scientist who lived over 2,500 years ago. He is known as the “father of atomic theory” in India.

While walking near a temple, he once saw food grains scattered on the ground. Most people avoided stepping on them, but young Kanad began collecting them — one grain at a time. When someone asked him why he was doing that, he replied:

“Even the smallest particle has value. Everything in the world is made of such tiny units.”

That simple idea grew into a deep philosophy.

He called these tiny particles “anu” (atoms) and “paramanu” (sub-atoms). According to Kanad:

All matter is made of invisible particles.
These particles combine to form larger materials.
Different combinations give rise to different properties (like taste, smell, weight).

This was long before modern atomic science, which started in the West only in the 18th century.

Kanad also believed that natural laws govern the world — not just divine forces. This idea shows how scientific thinking existed in India even in ancient times.

Notable Work:

Vaiśeṣika Sūtra – a text that explains his atomic theory, logic, and the nature of matter.

Today, his ideas are gaining new respect. Kanad’s thoughts show us that India had a deep understanding of the physical world long before modern labs.

2. Pingala — The Mathematician Who Discovered Binary Code (Around 3rd Century BCE)

You may think that binary numbers — the 0s and 1s used in computers — were invented by modern scientists. But did you know that a scholar in ancient India had already described this system over 2,000 years ago?

That scholar was Pingala, a mathematician and scholar of Sanskrit. He lived around the 3rd century BCE and is known for writing a book called “Chandaḥśāstra”, which was about Sanskrit poetry and rhythm. But hidden inside that book was something much more advanced:

A system that closely matches binary numbers — the very language of computers today.

What Did Pingala Discover?

He used a system of short and long syllables to create patterns in poetry.
He marked short syllables as “0” and long ones as “1”.
This formed a code that is very similar to today’s binary system (used in digital electronics and computing).
His work also hints at an early form of the Pascal’s triangle (used in combinations and binomial expansion).

Even though Pingala didn’t use terms like “binary” or “bits,” the logic behind his method shows a deep mathematical understanding of how patterns can be broken into two parts — the same idea used in modern computer science.

Notable Work:

Chandaḥśāstra – a treatise on poetic meters, where binary-like coding first appears.

Today, tech experts and historians are beginning to appreciate Pingala’s early insights. He shows us that ancient Indian minds were already exploring the basics of computer logic — long before computers existed.

3. Bhaskaracharya I — The Genius Who Used Calculus Before Newton (7th Century CE)

When we think of calculus, most of us think of Isaac Newton or Gottfried Leibniz. But few know that Bhaskaracharya I, an Indian mathematician from the 7th century, used similar ideas centuries earlier — right here in India.

Bhaskaracharya I was one of the earliest followers of Aryabhata, the great Indian astronomer. He didn’t just copy Aryabhata’s ideas — he expanded them, solved problems, and explained complex math in simpler ways. He worked on algebra, trigonometry, and early forms of calculus.

What Did Bhaskaracharya I Discover?

He gave an early concept of derivatives, which is a major part of calculus today.
He used ideas similar to infinitesimals — very tiny quantities used to measure change.
He worked on solving quadratic equations, which are common in both school math and science.
He explained sine functions and gave formulas for trigonometric values — important for astronomy.

All this was written in Sanskrit verses, showing not just knowledge, but also poetic beauty in science.

Notable Work:

Mahabhaskariya – an advanced text on astronomy and math.
Laghu Bhaskariya – a shorter version for students.

His works show exact values of planetary positions, sunrise and sunset times, and even eclipses — all done without telescopes or computers.

Today, Bhaskaracharya I is gaining recognition for being one of the first people in the world to use concepts of calculus — not just in theory, but in practical astronomy.

4. Varahamihira — The Polymath Who Predicted Weather and Earthquakes (6th Century CE)

Varahamihira was one of the most brilliant minds of ancient India — a true polymath, which means he had deep knowledge in many different fields: astronomy, meteorology, geology, astrology, botany, and even architecture.

He lived in the 6th century CE, during the Gupta Empire — a time often called India’s Golden Age of Science. Varahamihira was a key member of Emperor Vikramaditya’s court of scholars, known as the Navaratnas or “Nine Gems.”

What Did Varahamihira Discover?

He accurately predicted rainfall and weather patterns based on lunar and solar positions.
He studied earthquakes and suggested they were linked to underground water movements — an idea that connects to modern seismology.
He explained eclipses, planetary movements, and conjunctions with surprising accuracy.
He listed types of soil, plants, gems, and minerals — useful for agriculture, mining, and health.
He also contributed to architecture and water management.

Varahamihira believed that nature was governed by cause and effect — not just fate. He tried to understand the science behind natural events, which was a revolutionary way of thinking in that time.

Notable Work:

Bṛhat Saṃhitā – an encyclopedia of science covering astronomy, weather, earthquakes, architecture, gemology, botany, and more.
Pancha Siddhantika – a summary of five major astronomical systems known at that time.

This makes him one of the earliest multi-disciplinary scientists in history.

But today, experts are realizing that Varahamihira’s approach was deeply logical, data-driven, and scientifically ahead of his time. His work shows us that ancient India didn’t just imagine the world — it studied it.

5. Sushruta — The Father of Surgery (6th Century BCE)

Long before the invention of modern surgical tools or hospitals, ancient India had a skilled physician named Sushruta. He lived around the 6th century BCE and is often called the “Father of Surgery” — not just in India, but by many historians worldwide.

Sushruta didn’t just treat wounds or give medicines — he performed complex surgeries, taught medical students, and carefully recorded what he learned. His work is proof that ancient India had advanced knowledge of medicine and human anatomy.

What Did Sushruta Contribute?

He described and performed over 300 types of surgeries.
He listed more than 120 surgical instruments, many of which resemble modern tools.
He explained how to treat fractures, remove kidney stones, and even perform plastic surgery (like repairing a broken nose).
He discussed anatomy, dissection, wound healing, and the use of natural herbs for recovery.
He promoted cleanliness during surgery, which is now a basic rule in modern medicine.

His teachings focused not just on treating disease, but on preventing illness and maintaining overall health — a core idea of modern healthcare today.

Notable Work:

Sushruta Samhita – one of the oldest known texts on surgery and medicine in the world. It covers surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, eye care, toxicology, and more.

This text was so influential that it was translated into Arabic and Latin centuries later, helping shape medical knowledge across Asia and Europe.

Today, medical scholars across the world recognize Sushruta’s role in shaping early surgical science. His work reminds us that scientific progress has roots in many cultures — and that India was one of its early pioneers.

Image Credit: Alokprasad at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shushrut_statue.jpg

6. Nagarjuna — The Ancient Master of Chemistry and Alchemy (2nd Century CE)

Nagarjuna was a brilliant scholar and early scientist who lived in 2nd century CE India. He is best known for his work in alchemy, metallurgy, and medicine — long before chemistry became a formal subject.

Although some people associate alchemy with magic or legends, Nagarjuna took a much more practical, scientific approach. He experimented with metals, minerals, and herbal compounds, trying to understand how materials could change form and help heal the body.

Many of his ideas became the foundation of Rasashastra — the ancient Indian science of chemistry and medicine using natural elements.

What Did Nagarjuna Discover?

He studied metals and their reactions — an early form of chemical experimentation.
He worked with mercury, sulfur, and other minerals, which were used to create medicines.
He focused on how to purify substances before using them for healing.
He researched methods of converting base metals into more useful forms, which is related to the idea of alchemy.
His writings also covered toxins, antidotes, and preparation of herbal medicines.

Nagarjuna believed that proper preparation and knowledge of natural materials could improve health and extend life. His careful approach showed a deep understanding of chemical processes, even without modern labs.

Notable Works:

Rasa Ratnakara – a key text on alchemy and metallurgy.
Rasa Hridaya – explains the medical use of metals and minerals.

These books describe the tools, techniques, and step-by-step processes for preparing medicines — a scientific mindset that focused on testing and observation.

Today, many experts view Nagarjuna as a pioneer of chemical science in India, and his work is gaining new interest — especially in the fields of traditional medicine and sustainable chemistry.

Image Credit: Unknown | Recovered from Himalayan Art Resources, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nagarjuna_with_84_mahasiddha_cropped.jpg

7. Brahmagupta — The Man Who Gave the World Zero (7th Century CE)

When you think about the most important inventions in the world, you might imagine the wheel, electricity, or the internet. But what if we told you that one of the greatest inventions is… zero?

Yes — the number zero changed the way we do math, measure time, and build modern computers. And one of the first people to treat zero as a number — not just a placeholder — was the great Indian mathematician Brahmagupta, who lived in the 7th century CE.

Born in Rajasthan, Brahmagupta was a brilliant astronomer and mathematician. He became the head of the astronomical observatory at Ujjain, a major center of learning at that time.

What Did Brahmagupta Discover?

He gave the first clear rules for using zero in calculations — including how to add, subtract, and multiply with it.
He introduced negative numbers and rules for working with them — which was revolutionary.
He worked on algebraic equations, geometry, and astronomy.
He estimated the circumference of Earth, gravity, and planetary motion using math and observation.
He described the concept of squares and square roots, and gave formulas still used today.

Brahmagupta’s rules for zero and negative numbers were far ahead of their time. In fact, many other parts of the world did not fully accept these ideas for centuries.

Notable Work:

Brāhmasphuṭasiddhānta (628 CE) — his most famous work, covering mathematics and astronomy. It includes chapters on arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, and planetary calculations.

This book was later translated into Arabic and influenced scholars in the Islamic world — who helped carry Indian mathematical ideas to Europe.

Today, mathematicians and historians recognize Brahmagupta as one of the most important figures in the history of mathematics — a pioneer whose ideas are used in classrooms, research labs, and computers every single day.

Not Entirely Forgotten — But Still Underappreciated

While this post highlights the lesser-known scientific minds of ancient India, there are a few names that are more familiar — yet still misunderstood or oversimplified in what they actually achieved. These thinkers are often mentioned in passing, but the depth of their genius remains hidden to most people.

Take Āryabhaṭa, for instance — remembered vaguely for “inventing zero,” but rarely credited for proposing Earth’s rotation, calculating pi, or explaining eclipses scientifically over a thousand years before Copernicus. Similarly, Charaka is often linked with Ayurveda, but few know he documented over 300 diseases and emphasized ethics and preventive medicine centuries before modern healthcare.

Patañjali, known as the father of Yoga, also explored psychology and the mind-body connection in ways that align with today’s neuroscience. Bhāskarachārya II, typically reduced to textbook algebra, had in fact written about differential calculus and Earth’s orbital time well before Newton. Even Baudhāyana, casually mentioned in geometry, described the Pythagorean theorem in India long before Pythagoras.

These legends may not be forgotten entirely — but what they truly accomplished still is, and rediscovering them is just as important as unearthing the lost names.

Conclusion

India’s scientific journey didn’t begin in colonial laboratories or modern universities — it began thousands of years ago, in ashrams, observatories, and scrolls written in verse. From atomic theory to astronomy, surgery to mathematics, these forgotten minds shaped human knowledge long before the modern world gave them credit. Unfortunately, many of these pioneers were buried under layers of time, translation gaps, and colonial neglect. It’s time we look beyond myths and memorize-worthy names to rediscover the real architects of India’s intellectual legacy. By honoring these thinkers, we not only reclaim our past — we inspire a generation to take pride in a heritage rich in logic, observation, and scientific spirit.

Explore more untold stories in our Forgotten Histories archive — where lost legacies come back to light.