IKS: The Knowledge system of Bharata
A comprehensive academic survey of India's ancient contributions to science, philosophy, arts, and technology, aligned with NEP-2020.
Overview
Long before the word 'university' entered any European language, Bharata had built institutions, methodologies, and disciplines that shaped mathematics, astronomy, medicine, metallurgy, and philosophy across the ancient world. NEP-2020 has put Indian Knowledge Systems back on the syllabus — but what exactly does that body of knowledge contain, and how does it hold together as a system rather than a collection of curiosities?
Prof. Bhag Chand Chauhan's IKS: The Knowledge System of Bharata answers that question with unusual breadth and scholarly rigour. Drawing on the work of noted researchers across fields, the book traces Bharatiya contributions from the atom theory of Kanada and the Bodhyana Sutra that predates Pythagoras, through the Kerala School of astronomy, Vedic mathematics, Ayurveda, Siddha healing, and the engineering achievements visible at Rakhigarhi, Bet-Dwarka, and the Sindhu Valley sites. The philosophical underpinning — the nine major Darshanas — is treated not as abstract speculation but as the conceptual infrastructure that made empirical inquiry possible.
Designed for UG, PG, and research-level students, the book functions equally well as a reference for anyone who wants to understand what Bharatiya civilisation actually produced — and why those achievements remained largely invisible inside a colonial education system built to obscure them.
This book is based on the guidelines of the NEP-2020, pertaining to the development of knowledge system during the ancient period that includes a substantial part of untold history. This book is going to help the students at UG, PG and Research degree levels on the topic of Indian Knowledge System (IKS). An effort has been made to make an anthology of research done in the field by several noted scholars. The book is structured in a way that it would answer various queries of the students regarding major Bhāratīya contributions to the world knowledge system. Chapters on Bhāratīya civilization, education system, arts, music, literature, life and work of the scholars and progress in the science, technology, astronomy, health environment, etc. are included in the book. Contents Chapter-1 Introduction 29 1.1 Logical Thinking and Scientific Temperament 1.2 Fertile Land for Knowledge Proliferation 1.3 The Glory of Bhārata- The Course Objective of the Book Chapter-2 Bhāratīya Civilization and Development of Knowledge System 2.1 Genesis of the Bhāratabhūmi and Civilization 2.2 Antiquity of Bhāratīya Civilization and Culture 2.3 The Legendary River - Saraswatī 2.4 Traditional Education System Chapter-3 Arts, Literature and Scholars 3.1 Art, Music, Dance, and Literature 3.2 Life and works of Scholars Chapter-4 Bhāratīya Darśanas (Schools of Thought): Foundation and Concepts 4.1 Intuition and Instrumentation 4.2 Concepts and Nomenclature 4.3 Nine (6 + 3) Major Darśanas Chapter-5 Physics, Cosmology, Mathematics and Astronomy 5.1 The Concept of Atom and Laws of Motion 5.2 Electricity and Magnetism 5.3 Mystery of Light and Concept of Gravity 5.4 Aeronautics 5.5 Vedic Cosmology and Modern Concepts 5.6 History of Mathematics in Bhārata 5.7 Concept of Zero and Pi, and Number System 6.8 Pythagoras Theorem: The Bodhāyana Sūtra 5.9 Kerala School of Astronomy and Mathematics 5.10 Vedic Mathematics 5.11 History and Culture of Astronomy 5.12 Heliocentric Theory and Rotation of Earth 5.13 Elliptical Planetary Motion and Eclipses 5.14 Archaeoastronomy 5.15 Bhāratīya Kāla-gaṇanā Chapter-6 Chemistry, Engineering, Technology and Architecture 6.1 Chemistry in Daily Life; Dyes, Paints and Cements 6.2 Concepts and Development of Chemistry 6.3 Glass and Pottery 6.4 Metallurgy 6.5 Engineering, Technology, Architecture in Vedic Age and later periods 6.6 Rakhigarhi and Mehrgarh 7.7 Sindhu Valley Civilization 6.8 Marine Technology and Bet-Dwārkā 6.9 Bhimbetka and Edakkal Chapter-7 Life Sciences and Health 7.1 Flora and Fauna 7.2 Ethnic Studies, Fossils, Seals, etc 7.3 Life in Plants, Anatomy, and Physiology 7.4 Agriculture (Kṛṣi) 7.5 Ecology and Environment 7.6 The Āyurveda 7.7 Microbiology, Medicine, and Surgery 7.8 Yoga and Siddha Healing System
