The History & Culture of Science In Bharata Vol- 1 cover
Indian Knowledge SystemsCultural & Heritage

The History & Culture of Science In Bharata Vol- 1

byProf. Bhag Chand Chauhan

Recovering the scientific logic embedded in Vedic culture, ritual, and Saṃskṛta — and its foundational contributions to modern knowledge.

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Language
English
Binding / Format
Paperback
ISBN
9798885751513
Pages
—
Published
—
Category
Indian Knowledge Systems

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.

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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

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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

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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

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“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

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“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)

Author

Prof. Bhag Chand Chauhan photo
Prof. Bhag Chand Chauhan

Prof. Bhag Chand Chauhan is a Professor of Physics and Director of CUHP Campus at Shahpur, Kangra. Earlier, he was holding positions of the Dean of School of Physical & Material Sciences, and Head of Department of Physics & Astronomical Science (DPAS), Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP). Prof. Chauhan has graduated from Govt. College Mandi (1989), Himachal Pradesh (HP), Bhārata and completed his Ph.D. in Neutrino physics from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla HP in 2001. He also completed 5-years Post-Doctoral Research from Technical University Lisbon (2001-2006). As a regular teaching career, he joined Govt. College Karsog in 1997 and served in the college from 1997 to 2001 and 2006-2012, and thereafter joined CUHP as Associate Professor in 2012. Prof. Chauhan has an excellent research career starting as UGC-Junior Research Fellow (UGC-JRF) during M.Phil. in 1992, then as Ph.D. (UGC-SRF), Post-Doctoral Fellow (PDF) from abroad, and as Visiting Associate of Inter-University Centre for Astronomy & Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune since 2010. As a researcher, he has diverse research interests, like High Energy Physics, Neutrino Astrophysics, Dark Matter in the universe, including history of Bhāratīya Science and Education, Culture and Philosophy. He has published 100+ well cited and quality research Papers, Preprints, and Articles in Magazines and Newspapers. He is an Editorial Board Member and Referee of a number of prestigious Research Journals. Prof. Chauhan is a Life member of a number of physics and science Societies. He has participated and delivered talks/presentations in about 70 National and International Conferences, Seminars, Workshops and Meetings. He has supervised several PG level projects, a number of M.Phil. and Ph.D. students. Prof. Chauhan has completed two UGC-Major Research Projects on Neutrino Physics. Apart from excellence in academics, Prof. Chauhan is an active member of State Higher Education Council (SHEC), State level NEP2020 Implementation Task Force, and many other academic bodies. Currently, he is the Chairman of Th. Ramsingh Itihas Śodh Sansthān, Nerī. He is the Vice-President of the Vijnāna Bhārati [Himachal Chapter] - VIGYASA. Dr. Chauhan was also associated with Patanjali Yog Pīth, Bhārata Swābhimān Trust, Haridwār, and Himachal Pradesh State Secretary for Swami Vivekananda 150th Birth Anniversary Celebration (2012-13). He has been the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the 1st Competition Magazine from Himachal Pradesh 'Him Competition Vision' (1995-96). At the university level, he is also holding the position of Director, Research & Development and acting as a leading member of the apex committees. In past, he held a number of responsibilities like Director-Social Development Cell, Provost CUHP, Planning and Development Officer and Member Secretary of Planning & Development Board, Nodal Officer-Swacch Bhārata Abhiyān, Ek Bhārata Śreṣṭha Bhārata, Unnat Bhārata Abhiyān, International Yoga Day Celebration, Chairman-Yogdhara Club, and Vittiya Sākṣartā Abhiyān (VISAKA). In the light of his excellent academic career and active participation in social activities, he has been conferred with several Honors/ Awards/Distinctions by a number of organizations. He has visited more than 10 countries including Portugal, USA, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and France.

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