The Forgotten Scientists of Ancient India

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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 wasn’t just a land of temples, stories, and prayers — it was also a hub of science, logic, and learning. Imagine scholars sitting in ancient libraries, in quiet temple courtyards, or in Gurukuls and Mahaviharas like Nalanda and Takshashila, observing the world around them. They watched the stars, studied plants, explored numbers, and examined the human body — not as separate tasks, but as a way to understand life itself.

For them, science and spirituality went hand in hand. To learn about the cosmos or medicine was also to learn about truth. That’s why ancient India saw incredible growth in fields like mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and metallurgy — centuries ahead of their time.

Much of this knowledge was recorded in Sanskrit in texts called shastras, sutras, and samhitas. Some of these manuscripts survived, carefully preserved, while others were lost to invasions, fires, or simply being forgotten over time.

When the colonial period came, British and European historians often overlooked this legacy. In many cases, they claimed India never had “real science” — a statement that couldn’t be further from the truth. Sadly, even today, many history books still give little space to these brilliant minds and their discoveries.

But something is changing now.

More people are asking:

“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 dive into next — the forgotten heroes of science who shaped knowledge long before the modern era.

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 most of us hear “calculus,” the names Newton and Leibniz probably come to mind. But here’s something fascinating — long before them, in the 7th century, an Indian mathematician named Bhaskaracharya I was already working with ideas that resemble calculus. Yes — centuries earlier, right here in India.

Bhaskaracharya I was a brilliant follower of Aryabhata, the great Indian astronomer. But he didn’t just follow — he built upon Aryabhata’s work, solving problems in algebra, trigonometry, and even early forms of calculus, and explaining them in ways that made them accessible to learners of his time.

What Did Bhaskaracharya I Discover?

He gave an early concept of derivatives, a key idea in calculus today.
He worked with concepts similar to infinitesimals — tiny quantities that measure change.
He worked on solving quadratic equations, which remain a staple in both school math and science.
He explained sine functions and developed formulas for trigonometric values — tools that were essential for astronomy.

And here’s the beautiful part — he recorded all of this in Sanskrit verses, blending scientific precision with poetic expression.

Notable Work:

Mahabhaskariya – an advanced treatise on astronomy and mathematics.
Laghu Bhaskariya – a shorter version meant for students.

Through these texts, Bhaskaracharya I accurately calculated planetary positions, sunrise and sunset timings, and even eclipses — all without telescopes, computers, or modern instruments.

Today, scholars are slowly recognizing him as one of the earliest minds in history to use calculus — and not just as abstract theory, but as a practical tool for understanding the universe. Bhaskaracharya I wasn’t just doing math; he was uncovering the language of the cosmos long before it became modern science.

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

If you’ve ever been fascinated by people who seem to know a little bit about everything, Varahamihira was exactly that — a true polymath of ancient India. Living in the 6th century CE, during what’s often called India’s Golden Age of Science under the Gupta Empire, he was a scholar of astonishing breadth. His knowledge spanned astronomy, meteorology, geology, astrology, botany, and even architecture.

Varahamihira was part of the legendary court of Emperor Vikramaditya, among the Navaratnas — the “Nine Gems” of ancient India. And his brilliance wasn’t just theoretical; it was deeply practical.

What Did Varahamihira Discover?

He predicted rainfall and weather patterns by studying lunar and solar positions — essentially one of the earliest forms of meteorology.
He studied earthquakes and suggested they were connected to underground water movement — an idea that resonates with modern seismology.
He explained eclipses, planetary movements, and conjunctions with impressive accuracy.
He catalogued soils, plants, gems, and minerals — offering insights valuable for farming, mining, and medicine.
He even worked on architecture and water management.

What made Varahamihira truly remarkable was his belief that nature wasn’t ruled only by fate — it followed cause and effect. For the 6th century, that was a revolutionary way of thinking.

Notable Work:

Bṛhat Saṃhitā – an encyclopedia of science covering everything from astronomy and weather to architecture and botany.
Pancha Siddhantika – a comprehensive summary of five major astronomical systems of his time.

Varahamihira wasn’t just a thinker; he was one of the earliest multi-disciplinary scientists in history. And today, scholars are slowly recognising that his methods were deeply logical, data-driven, and far ahead of his time.

His work reminds us that ancient India didn’t just dream of understanding the world — it studied it with careful observation and precision.

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

Okay, here’s something that blew my mind — centuries before modern hospitals, anesthesia, or even surgical gloves existed, there was a man in ancient India doing surgeries that would still impress doctors today. His name was Sushruta, and historians call him the Father of Surgery. Pretty amazing, right?

He lived around the 6th century BCE, and he wasn’t just a doctor — he was a teacher, an innovator, and basically one of the earliest medical researchers the world has known. Imagine this: no textbooks, no internet, no microscopes. Yet he performed surgeries, trained students, and wrote down everything so future generations could learn.

What Did Sushruta Contribute?

Over 300 types of surgeries described in his writings — and he actually performed them.
More than 120 surgical instruments, many of which look very similar to what we use today.
Procedures for fixing broken noses, removing kidney stones, treating fractures — yes, he was doing forms of plastic surgery way back then.
Detailed knowledge of human anatomy, wound healing, and herbal medicines.
And get this — he emphasised cleanliness during surgery long before antiseptics were invented.

But here’s what really stands out — Sushruta didn’t just focus on fixing problems. He believed in prevention. His medical philosophy was about keeping the body healthy and preventing illness, which is exactly what modern medicine strives for today.

Notable Work:

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

This text was so influential that centuries later it was translated into Arabic and Latin, influencing medical knowledge across the world.

Honestly, Sushruta’s story makes me think — innovation isn’t just a product of modern science. It has deep roots, and India was home to some of the earliest pioneers of medicine. Next time you think of surgery, remember — it started far earlier than we often realise, and Sushruta was leading the way.

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)

If you think of chemistry as something modern, you might be surprised to learn that Nagarjuna was practicing it almost two thousand years ago — in the 2nd century CE. He wasn’t just a philosopher or scholar; he was an experimenter, a researcher, and what you could call an early chemist and alchemist of India.

Now, when we hear the word “alchemy,” we often imagine mysterious magic and turning lead into gold. But Nagarjuna approached it differently — with a practical, scientific mindset. He experimented with metals, minerals, and herbs to understand how they could change form, and how they could be used to heal.

His work 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 — one of the earliest forms of chemical experimentation.
He worked with mercury, sulfur, and minerals to prepare medicines.
He developed ways to purify substances before using them for healing.
He researched how to transform base metals into more useful forms — the practical side of alchemy.
He also explored toxins, antidotes, and herbal medicine preparation.

What’s fascinating is that Nagarjuna saw chemistry not just as a science, but as a path to improving health and even extending life. His work shows careful experimentation and observation long before modern laboratories existed.

Notable Works:

Rasa Ratnakara – a foundational text on alchemy and metallurgy.
Rasa Hridaya – which explains the medicinal use of metals and minerals.

These books aren’t just recipes; they’re manuals filled with tools, techniques, and detailed processes for preparing medicines. They show a scientific mindset rooted in testing, observation, and practical application.

Today, Nagarjuna is being rediscovered as one of India’s earliest pioneers of chemical science. And his work isn’t just of historical interest — it inspires modern studies in traditional medicine, sustainable chemistry, and the fusion of science with nature.

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)

Here’s something that might surprise you — one of the most powerful inventions in human history isn’t a machine or a gadget. It’s a number. Yes… zero.

Think about it. Zero is everywhere — in math, computers, science, even in the way we understand nothingness. And one of the first people to treat zero not just as a placeholder, but as a real number with rules, was Brahmagupta, a genius from 7th century India.

Born in Rajasthan, Brahmagupta became the head of the great astronomical observatory at Ujjain, a city that was the beating heart of science at the time. His work wasn’t just about numbers — it shaped how we calculate, measure, and even imagine the universe.

What Did Brahmagupta Discover?

He gave the first clear rules for using zero — how to add it, subtract it, multiply it. Imagine how revolutionary that was in a world that hadn’t yet seen zero as a number.
He introduced negative numbers and explained how they work — something even many cultures rejected for centuries.
He worked on algebra, geometry, and astronomy.
He even calculated the Earth’s circumference and studied gravity, all without modern tools.
His rules for squares, square roots, and formulas are still taught today.

What’s incredible is how long it took for the world to truly accept his ideas. Centuries passed before many parts of the globe realised the power of zero.

Notable Work:

Brāhmasphuṭasiddhānta (628 CE) — his most famous work, it isn’t just a math book — it’s a testament to human curiosity. Covering arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, and planetary motion, it was later translated into Arabic and helped spread Indian mathematics to the Islamic world — and eventually to Europe.

So next time you type a “0” on your phone, remember this — that tiny circle was given to the world by a man who lived more than 1,300 years ago. Brahmagupta didn’t just give us a number — he changed the way we think.

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.