The History & Culture of Science In Bharata Vol- 1
Recovering the scientific logic embedded in Vedic culture, ritual, and Saṃskṛta — and its foundational contributions to modern knowledge.
Overview
Ancient Bhārata did not merely practice science — it embedded scientific thinking into the rhythms of daily life, into Saṃskṛta mantras, into art, music, and ritual. Prof. Bhag Chand Chauhan sets out to recover this lost coherence, arguing that the Bhāratīya world-view was not pre-scientific but differently scientific, with its own rigorous methods for understanding nature that included the human element within the definition of Reality itself.
Drawing on Vedic and post-Vedic literature — Shruti, Smriti, Darshanas — Chauhan traces the foundational contributions ancient Bhārata made to mathematics, engineering, and natural philosophy, while showing how those contributions were later absorbed into what the modern world calls science without acknowledgment. The book addresses the questions teachers and students most commonly encounter: what exactly did Bhārata contribute, and how do we evaluate that contribution honestly without either dismissing it or mythologising it?
Endorsed by directors of inter-university research centres and heads of physics departments, this volume serves students and educators navigating India's New Education Policy as much as general readers who want a grounded entry point into the Bhāratīya knowledge tradition.
ABOUT THE BOOK: What made ancient Bhārata innately scientific? This book brilliantly showcases-with evidence-the inbuilt connect between science, Saṃskṛta (mantras) and the life style of the Bhāratīya people. Celebrated writer, scientist, academician and author Prof. Bhag Chand Chauhan gives readers not just an overall perspective about the Bhāratīya scientific tradition and the substantial and foundational contributions of Bhārata to modern science, he also enriches readers with a holistic understanding of nature, which includes the human element, in the definition of Reality. Readers will also gain a better understanding and a genuine appreciation of the knowledge tradition and the cultural and ritual practices of Bhārata. The History and Culture of Science in Bhārata also addresses the various common and specific queries that come up regarding major Bhāratīya contributions to science and technology. This book empowers readers with a reference point for dealing with the contemporary issues that come up in our current milieu in this regard. The History and Culture of Science in Bhārata builds a bridge between the lost glorious past and the prospective future of Bhārata. ~*~ The History and Culture of Science in Bhārata provides uniquely valuable insights into the workings of science in the cultural context of Ancient India; it not only offers a treasure but also opens up a new way to understand the process of cognitive development which can help us map modern science within the ambit of the Vedic structures. -Prof. Avinash C. Pandey Director, Inter University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) Director, Inter University Centre for Yogic Sciences (IUC-YS), Bangalore --- Vivid, logical, and thought-provoking analysis of deep ideas is given, along with detailed supporting references. In view of the New Education Policy, this book should be of immense use to teachers and students of all universities/institutes of the country. -Prof. R.K. Moudgil Department of Physics, Kurukshetra University --- This book will help re-establish the lost and derecognized Indian knowledge system and will certainly make our students familiar with India, her culture, civilization and achievements of our forefathers in the field of science, arts and literature. It projects India's contribution to various fields of modern science and arts in proper perspective. -Prof. Ravi Prakash Arya Sw. Dayanand Chair, MDU, Rohtak "In this book, Prof. B.C. Chauhan has nicely presented the scientific roots embedded in the ancient Bharatiya culture and civilization. A true connect between Science and Samskrit in the form of art, music, dance, customs, daily rituals and routines has been unveiled. This has explored the wisdom stored in Hindu scriptures; e.g. Shruti, Smriti, Darshanas and the literature of post Vedic period." -Prof. Kuldeep Chand Agnihotri, Former Vice Chancellor, CUHP and Vice Chairman, Haryana Sahitya evam Samskriti Academy --- "The author has tried to synthesize textual as well as archaeological sources to reconstruct true picture of the history and culture of scientific enquiry in Bharatvarsh. This book is an excellent compendium of resources, which will help our youths to dig deeper and foster further scientific inquiry that can play a pivotal role in the nation building." -Prof. Vasant Shinde, CSIR Bhatnagar Fellow, CCMB, Hyderabad; Leading Archaeologist and Researcher of Rakhigarhi Excavations --- "The History and Culture of Science in Bhārata is a commendable book, which provides valuable insights into the scientific methodology beautifully woven into the culture and tradition of the people of Bhārata. I hope this voluminous work by Prof. B. C. Chauhan will be quite useful for the teachers, students, and general readers, and continue to enlighten our youths about the glorious achievements made in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology." -Prof. R. C. Verma, Former Head of Physics Department, Director of Planning and Monitoring, Punjabi University, Patiala (Punjab)
