Indian philosophy is one of the most ancient in the world. Its origin is usually attributed to the X-IX centuries. BC e. Ancient Indian philosophy is distinguished by originality in the interpretation of spirituality, the world and the understanding of the divine. Its emergence was preceded by a long development of culture. The main idea of ​​the philosophy of ancient India is that world processes can be cyclically renewed. All living things are one, closely intertwined with each other and are able to flow from one form to another, moving into a shell according to the “level” of piety in a previous life.

Major historical periods of ancient Indian philosophy

A cognitive act in ancient Indian philosophy is a ritual action based on strict asceticism and asceticism. Almost all philosophical texts are written in the language of scientists and art connoisseurs - Sanskrit. The ancient Indians believed in a harmonious relationship between Sanskrit sounds and cosmic vibrations. Sanskrit is the language spoken by the inhabitants of the heavenly worlds and the gods.

AT historical development There are three main periods of ancient Indian philosophy:

Vedic (XV - VI centuries BC).

Brahmin-Buddhist (from the 5th century BC to the 10th century AD).

Hindu (from the 10th century to the present).

The formation of the philosophical positions of ancient Indian thought took place at the end of the second millennium BC. The Vedic period is an era in which the views of philosophy were not yet separated from mythological and religious views.

The Vedas (translated from Sanskrit as “knowledge”) are religious and philosophical treatises, spiritual monuments that record the knowledge of the ancient Indians about man and gods, ideas about the social structure and ethical values, about rituals and the cosmos. Some of the concepts that are used in these sacred texts later pass into the worldview and philosophy of Brahmanism. The Vedas are divided into four parts:

Samhitas, which include four collections:

Rig Veda - Veda of hymns

Yajurveda - a collection of sacrificial formulas

Samaveda - Veda of tunes

Atharvaveda - a collection of spells

Brahmanas ("interpretations of the highest essence")

Aranyaki (texts for wanderers contemplating the truth)

Upanishads ("Secret Knowledge")

In the Vedas, for the first time, an attempt was made to comprehend reality, on the basis of which conclusions appeared regarding the surrounding world and the isolation of a person from it.

During the Brahmano-Buddhist period, the formation of the main orthodox and non-orthodox philosophical schools or classical darshans took place. The process proceeded in an atmosphere of sharp religious disputes. Unorthodox systems (Jainism, Buddhism, Lokayata) denied the unique authority of the Vedic scriptures. Vaisheshika and Nyaya, Yoga and Samkhya, Mimamsa and Vedanta are six particularly influential orthodox schools, forming three pairs of fellow teachings that recognize and complement each other's most important provisions.

By the beginning of the Hindu period, the influence of the Buddhist faith had become much weaker. Philosophical activity begins to develop for the most part in line with Hinduism. Nyaya and Vedanta became the leading directions.

Ontology of ancient Indian philosophy

The ancient philosophy of India is characterized by the idea of ​​the impersonal common beginning- Brahman, which was perceived as the eternal essence of the Universe and the true spiritual absolute. He stands above all distinctions. For ancient Indian thinkers, the entire material-sensory cosmos, together with people and the surrounding nature, were manifestations of Brahman in time and space from different sides. A person has a body shell and consciousness, which includes several different "I". The small "I" is a physical material component, the Absolute "I" is given the name Atman. The ancient Indian philosophical direction is characterized by the principle of equality between Atman and Brahman. The human body was considered as an individualized substantial embodiment of the supreme Creator God. The true soul of man and his true "I" is Brahman itself. However, people have become so fused with their bodily, earthly existence that they do not even realize their identity with the world spirit. The purpose and meaning of the life of every person is the improvement of the small "I" and the restoration of unity with the Absolute. This aspiration cannot be realized within one short human life. That is why one of the foundations of the philosophical teachings of India is the theory of reincarnation or transmigration of souls.

The ontology of ancient Indian philosophy is based on the law of Rita. This is the so-called cosmic evolution, order, interconnectedness and cyclicality. There was a clear association between existence and non-existence, the exhalation and inhalation of Brahma, respectively. One hundred cosmic years are allotted for the life of God the Creator. After his death, absolute non-existence sets in, which lasts the same amount of time until the new birth of Brahma. The periodic change of the life of the Cosmos by Absolute Non-Being is an endless cycle. The reborn Brahma is nothing but an improved form of Existence. The interconnection of the world is due to the influence of any event on the life of the Cosmos. the main objective evolution - to overcome the passionate nature and approach Brahman through the constant change of the material shell.

Ancient Indian philosophy is the depth and richness of the cultural tradition of India, the history of which spanned more than two and a half millennia. The peculiar teaching of the great sages to this day has a powerful impact on the spiritual life of various civilizations.

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The ideals that illuminated my path and gave me courage and courage were kindness, beauty and truth. Without a sense of solidarity with those who share my convictions, without the pursuit of the eternally elusive objective in art and science, life would seem to me absolutely empty.

India is an ancient country about 8 thousand years old. The amazing Indian people lived on its territory. Which were divided into several social classes. Where priests played an important role. Although historians do not know who ruled such an amazing state. The Indians had their own language and script. Their letters cannot be deciphered by scientists to this day. The ancient Indians gave humanity such agricultural crops as cotton and sugar cane. They made a thin fabric of chintz. They have tamed the world's largest animal, the elephant. They worshiped and believed in various gods. What was invented in ancient India. Animals were deified. Along with the gods, the Vedas, the Sanskrit language and the Brahmins were revered as the guardians of culture and sacred knowledge. Brahmins were considered living gods. This is very interesting state and people.

ancient state of india

Location and nature. In the south of Asia, behind the Himalayan range, there is an amazing country - India. Its history goes back almost 8 thousand years. However, modern India differs in size from ancient country under the same name. In terms of area, Ancient India was approximately equal to Egypt, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, Iran, Syria, Phenicia and Palestine combined. In this vast area there were various natural conditions. In the west, the Indus River flowed, it rained relatively infrequently, but in summer there were large floods. Vast steppes spread out here. In the east they carried their waters to Indian Ocean the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers. It always rained heavily here, and the whole land was covered with marshy swamps and impenetrable jungle. These are dense thickets of trees and shrubs, where twilight reigns even during the day. The jungle was inhabited by tigers, panthers, elephants, poisonous snakes and a huge variety of insects. The central and southern parts of India in ancient times were mountainous spaces, where it was always hot and there was a lot of rain. But the abundance of moisture was not always a blessing. Dense vegetation and swamps were a big obstacle for ancient farmers armed with stone and copper axes. Therefore, the first settlements appear in India in the less wooded north-west of the country. The Indus Valley had another advantage. It was closer to the ancient states of Western Asia, which facilitated communication and trade with them.

State formation in ancient India

While scientists have little information about social order and culture of Indian cities. The fact is that the writing of the ancient Indians has not yet been deciphered. But today it is known that in the III and the first half of the II millennium BC. e. in the Indus Valley was single state with two capitals. These are Harappa in the north and Mohenjo-Daro in the south. The inhabitants were divided into several social classes. It is not known exactly who ruled the state. But priests played a big role. With the decline of the Indian state, the public organization also collapsed. Writing has been forgotten. Appearing in the middle of the II millennium BC. e., the Aryans brought with them their public organization. It was based on the division of society into "ours" (Aryans) and "strangers" (dases). Using the right of the conquerors, the Aryans gave the Dasas a dependent position in society. There was also a division among the Aryans themselves. They were divided into three estates-varnas. The first and highest varna was the brahmins - priests, teachers, guardians of culture. The second varna is the kshatriyas. It was made up of the military nobility. The third varna - vaishyas - included farmers, artisans and merchants. At the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. e. the fourth varna, the sudras, also appeared. It means "servant". This varna included all non-Aryans. They were obliged to serve the first three varnas. The lowest position was occupied by the "untouchables". They did not belong to any of the varnas and were obliged to do the dirtiest work. With the development of crafts, the growth of population and the complication of social life, in addition to varnas, an additional division into professions appeared. This fragmentation is called division into castes. And in a certain varna, like a caste, a person fell by birthright. If you are born in a brahmin family, you are a brahmin; if in a sudra family, you are a sudra. Belonging to one or another varna and caste determined the rules of behavior for every Indian. Further development Indian society led in the middle of the 1st millennium BC. e. to the emergence of kingdoms headed by rajas. (In ancient Indian "raja" means "king".) At the end of the 4th century. BC e. formed in India mighty empire. Its founder was Chandragupta, who stopped the advance of the army of Alexander the Great. This power reached its highest power under the grandson of Chandragupta Ashok (263-233 BC). Thus, already in the III-beginning of the II millennium BC. e. India had a state. It not only was not inferior in its development, but at times surpassed Egypt and Mesopotamia. After the decline of Indian culture and the arrival of the Aryans, the social order ancient Indian society. Its culture was created by the Aryans with the participation of the local population. At this time, a caste system is formed. A mighty empire arose. Modifying, the ancient Indian culture has existed to this day.

economic life

Already in the III millennium BC. e. The main occupation of the inhabitants of the Indus Valley was agriculture. They grew wheat, barley, peas, millet, jute and, for the first time in the world, cotton and sugar cane. Animal husbandry was well developed. The Indians raised cows, sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, elephants. The horse came later. The Indians were well acquainted with metallurgy. The main tools of labor were made of copper. What was invented in ancient India. Knives, spear and arrowheads, hoes, axes and much more were smelted from it. Artistic casting, masterful stone processing, alloys, among which bronze occupied a special place, were no secret to them. The Indians knew gold and lead. But iron at that time they did not know. The craft was also developed. Spinning and weaving played an important role. The craftsmanship of the jewelers is impressive. They worked precious metals and stones, ivory and shells. Maritime and land trade reached a high level. In 1950, archaeologists found the first port in history for anchoring ships at low tide. The most active trade was with the Southern Mesopotamia. Cotton was brought here from India, jewelry. Barley, vegetables, fruits were brought to India. There were trade links with Egypt and the island of Crete. Probably the Indians exchanged with neighboring nomadic peoples and even built a city on the Amu Darya River. With the decline of Indian culture, economic life came to a standstill. Appeared in the middle of the II millennium BC. e. The Aryans were nomads and lagged far behind the Indians in economic development. The only thing in which the Aryans were ahead of the Indians was in the use of the horse. Only at the turn of II - I millennia BC. e. the new population of India - the Indians - again switched to agriculture. Crops of wheat, barley, millet, cotton and jute appeared. The farmers of the Ganges River valley gathered especially large crops. Along with the horse and cattle, the elephant occupied an important place in the economy. With its help, people successfully fought the impenetrable jungle. Metallurgy is developing. Having quickly mastered bronze, already at the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. e. Indians learned how to mine iron. This greatly facilitated the development of new lands previously occupied by swamps and jungles. The craft is also being revived. Again, a prominent place in the economy is occupied by pottery and weaving. Indian cotton fabrics were especially famous, products from which could be threaded through a small ring. These fabrics were very expensive. In honor of the goddess of arable land, Sita, they were called chintz. There were also simpler cheap fabrics. Only trade remained at a low level. It was limited to the exchange of goods between neighboring communities. Thus, the ancient Indians gave humanity such agricultural crops as cotton and sugar cane. They have tamed the world's largest animal, the elephant.

CULTURE OF ANCIENT INDIA

Languages ​​and writing of ancient India. At the end of the III millennium BC. e. India was a major power with a highly developed culture. But it is not yet known what language the inhabitants of the Indus Valley spoke. Their writing is still a mystery to scientists. The first inscriptions of the Indians belong to the XXV - XIV centuries. BC e. The Indian script, which has no similarity, has 396 hieroglyphic characters. They wrote on copper tablets or clay shards, scratching the written characters. The number of characters in one inscription rarely exceeds 10, and the largest number is 17. Unlike the language of the Indians, the language of the ancient Indians is well known to scientists. It's called Sanskrit. This word means "perfect". Many originated from Sanskrit modern languages India. It contains words similar to Russian and Belarusian. For example: Vedas; shveta - holy (holiday), brahman-rahmany (meek). The gods and brahmins were considered to be the creators of Sanskrit and its keepers. Every person who considered himself an Aryan was obliged to know this language. "Aliens", both Shudras and untouchables, had no right to learn this language under pain of cruel punishment.

Literature

Nothing is known about the literature of the Indians. But the literature of the ancient Indians is a huge heritage for all mankind. The oldest works of Indian literature are the Vedas, written between 1500 and 1000 BC. BC e. The Vedas (literally - wisdom) are sacred books in which all the most important knowledge for the ancient Indians was recorded. Their veracity and usefulness have never been disputed. The whole spiritual life of the ancient Indians was created on the basis of the Vedas. Therefore, the Indian culture of the 1st millennium BC. e. called the Vedic culture. In addition to the Vedas, Indian culture has created a wide variety of works. All of them were written in Sanskrit. Many of them are included in the treasury of world literature. What was invented in ancient India. The first place in this series belongs to the great poems "Mahabharata" and "Ramayana". The Mahabharata tells of the struggle of the sons of King Pandu for the right to rule the kingdom. The Ramayana tells about the life and deeds of Prince Rama. The poems describe the life of the ancient Indians, their wars, beliefs, customs and adventures. In addition to the great poems, the Indians created wonderful fairy tales, fables, myths and legends. Many of these works, translated into modern languages, are not forgotten to this day.

Religion of ancient India

We know little about the religions of the ancient Indians. However, it is known that they believed in the mother goddess, the three-faced cattle breeder god, and some species of flora and fauna. Among the holy animals, the bull stood out. There was probably also a cult of water, as evidenced by the numerous pools in Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. The Indians also believed in the other world. We know much more about the religions of the ancient Indians. Vedic culture created two great religions of the East at once - Hinduism and Buddhism. Hinduism originates from the Vedas. It is the Vedas - the first and main sacred books of Hinduism. Ancient Hinduism is different from modern. But these are different stages of one religion. Hindus did not believe in one god, but revered many. Chief among them were the god of fire Agni, the formidable god of water Varuna, the god-helper and guardian of all Mithra, as well as the god of gods, the great destroyer - the six-armed Shiva. His image is similar to the ancient Indian god - the patron of cattle. The idea of ​​Shiva is proof of the influence of the culture of the local population on the beliefs of the newcomers of the Aryans. Along with the gods, the Vedas, the Sanskrit language and the Brahmins were revered as the guardians of culture and sacred knowledge. Brahmins were considered living gods. Approximately in the VI century. BC e. in India, a new religion appears, which was destined to become a world religion. It is named after its first supporter Buddha, which means "enlightened". Buddhism has no belief in gods, does not recognize anything that exists. The only saint is the Buddha himself. For a long time there were no temples, priests and monks in Buddhism. The equality of people was proclaimed. The future of every person depends on correct behavior in society. Buddhism spread very quickly in India. In the II century. BC e. Buddhism was adopted by Emperor Ashoka. But at the beginning of our era, Buddhism was forced out of India by Hinduism and began to spread in more eastern countries. It was at this time that the main sacred book of modern Hinduism appeared - the Bhagavad Gita - the Divine Song. A hunter and two doves (an excerpt from the "Mahabharata" in the retelling of Y. Kupala) There lived a hunter in India. Without pity he wove birds in the forest to sell them in the market. He separated bird families, forgetting the law of the gods.

INTERESTING ABOUT INDIA
Excavations at Mahenjo-Daro

In 1921-1922. made a great archaeological discovery. Three kilometers from the Indus River, archaeologists have excavated a city. Its length and width were 5 km. It was protected from the floods of the river by artificial embankments. The city itself was divided into 12 roughly equal quarters. They had flat, straight streets. The central quarter was raised to a height of 6-12 m. The elevation, made of clay and mud brick, was defended by square brick towers. This was the main part of the city.

The social structure of the Indian according to ancient laws

For the sake of the prosperity of the worlds, Brahma created from his mouth, hands, thighs and feet, respectively, a brahmana, a kshatriya, a vaishya and a sudra. For each of them, certain classes were established. Education, study of sacred books, sacrifice for oneself and sacrifice for others, giving and receiving alms Brahma established for the brahmins. Brahman is always first. The protection of subjects, the distribution of alms, sacrifice, the study of sacred books and non-adherence to human pleasures Brahma pointed out to the kshatriyas. But under no circumstances is a kshatriya entitled to take more than a fourth of the harvest of his subjects. Cattle breeding, almsgiving, sacrifice, study of sacred books, trade, money matters and agriculture Brahma gave to the Vaishyas. But only one occupation Brahma gave the Shudras - serving the first three with humility.

Conclusion

Summing up, we can say that we know a lot about India. Although in the history of this ancient state there are still a lot of white spots that will nevertheless someday be revealed to us. And everyone will learn about the greatness of Ancient India. World literature will receive the priceless works of Indian authors. Archaeologists will excavate new cities. Historians will write interesting books. And we learn a lot. We will pass on our knowledge to the next generation without loss.

India is one of ancient civilizations planets. The culture of this country influenced both neighboring countries and regions thousands of kilometers away from Hindustan. Indian civilization originated at the beginning of the 3rd millennium BC. e. In archeology, it is commonly called Proto-Indian or Harappan. Already at that time there was a written language, cities (Mohenjedaro, Harappa) with a well-thought-out layout, developed production, centralized water supply and sewerage. Indian civilization gave the world chess and the decimal number system. Achievements of the ancient and medieval India in the field of science, literature and art, various religious and philosophical systems that originated in India influenced the development of many civilizations of the East and became an integral part of modern world culture. India is a huge country in southern Asia, stretching from the icy peaks of the Karakorum and the Himalayas to the equatorial waters of Cape Kumari, from the hot deserts of Rajasthan to the swampy jungles of Bengal. India is also magnificent beaches on the ocean coast in Goa and ski resorts in the Himalayas. The cultural diversity of India strikes the imagination of anyone who first arrived here. Traveling around the country, you understand that diversity is the soul of India. It is worth driving a few hundred kilometers, and you notice how the terrain, climate, food, clothing and even music have changed, art, crafts. India can dazzle with beauty, captivate with hospitality, puzzle with contradictions. Therefore, everyone has to discover their own India. After all, India is not just another world, but many different worlds merged into one. The country's constitution alone lists 15 main languages, and total number languages ​​and dialects, according to scientists, reaches 1652. India is the birthplace of many religions - Hinduism, comparable to the layer of Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Islam, Christianity), Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. And at the same time, India is the largest Muslim country - the third largest in the world in terms of the number of followers (after Indonesia and Bangladesh). India - federal state(according to the constitution - a union of states). India has 25 states and 7 union territories. States: Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal. The seven union territories include the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagarhaveli, Daman and Diu, Delhi, Lakshadweep and Puttucherry (Pondicherry). The head of state is the president. Practically, executive power is exercised by the prime minister. The capital of India is Delhi. The area of ​​the republic is 3.28 million sq. km. The country borders in the west with Pakistan, in the north with China, Nepal and Bhutan, in the east with Bangladesh and Myanmar. From the southwest it is washed by the waters of the Arabian Sea, from the southeast by the Bay of Bengal.

India is a country with unique traditions (Ancient India). The history of India is the history of a whole civilization. And the culture of India is a unique achievement of mankind The geography of India is vast. The country is striking in diversity natural areas. India can be conditionally divided into four parts. Northern India is, first of all, the unique city of Delhi (the capital of the state). The most incredible architectural monuments are collected here, the leading place among which is occupied by numerous religious buildings. Moreover, in Delhi you can find temples of literally all world religions. By the number of museums, the city will easily bypass any capital of the world. Be sure to visit the National Museum, the Archaeological Museum of the Red Fort, the National Gallery contemporary art, the National Museum of Natural History, etc. At your service there will be thousands of outlets, unique oriental bazaars with their indescribable color, familiar to us from children's fairy tales, which you should definitely plunge into. If you prefer a holiday by the sea, then Western India and Goa are for you. It is in this state that there are numerous beaches, magnificent hotels, a lot of entertainment complexes, casinos and restaurants. South India - is the most densely populated part of the country, the area where hundreds of ancient Tamil temples, colonial forts are located. There are also sandy beaches. East India is associated primarily with the city of Calcutta, the administrative center of the state of West Bengal and the largest city in the country, one of the ten largest cities in the world. To travel to this country, you need a visa, for which you will have to visit the Indian Embassy. And one more piece of advice. India is a country next to which is the mysterious Nepal, do not forget about the tour. You are already dreaming of India.

Happiness has no tomorrow; he does not have yesterday either; it does not remember the past, does not think about the future; he has a present - and that is not a day - but a moment.

than in Europe. The previous period to antiquity, although features of the early Middle Ages already appear in it, therefore some historians believe that the ancient stage is already by the 5th century AD.

In the XII century, part of the country was captured by the Delhi Sultanate, and later almost the entire peninsula became part of the Mughal Empire, and only some southern territories belonged to other kingdoms. The empire lasted until the 18th century - by that time most of the state was divided among European colonists.

Early Middle Ages

During the early Middle Ages, sciences such as astronomy, medicine and mathematics continued to develop in India. Until European colonization, the Indians were very strong in these areas of knowledge. One of the most important discoveries of this period is a more accurate calculation of the number pi compared to the ancient Greek, which was made by the Indian mathematician Arbhata. He was the first to suggest that the celestial sphere does not rotate - the illusion is achieved due to the rotation of the Earth.

It is believed that the same Arbhata invented the number 0, in which there was no need before.

The Indian astronomer Brasharacharya was able to calculate the time it takes for our planet to revolve around the sun.

In medicine, methods of treatment with water procedures and some complex surgical operations were invented. So, it is known that medieval Indian doctors could already remove cataracts, suture internal organs and do a craniotomy.

Other Medieval Indian Inventions

Mathematics in the 9th-12th centuries continued to develop at a very rapid pace - researchers believe that this is due to the fact that medieval Indians already understood the concept of an abstract number.

Unlike the Europeans of that time, they could distinguish it from the number of objects in numerical form or spatial dimensions.

Famous mathematicians Bhaskara and Mahavira were able to operate with both positive and negative values, invented several methods for solving quadratic and indefinite equations, and could extract cube roots. Several discoveries were made in the field of spherical geometry and trigonometry.

In the 9th-12th centuries, the technology of small bronze casting was invented in India. The Indians were the first in the Middle Ages to find an excellent way to polish diamonds using metal discs on which they applied diamond powder.

India. The gate in the enclosure of a religious building (called a stupa) at Sanchi is decorated with stone carvings and animal figures. 2nd century BC

An example of a hitherto unread letter from the Indus civilization and a steatite seal (steatite is a soft stone). Mohenjo-Daro. Middle of III millennium BC. e.

Science and life // Illustrations

One of the most important achievements of Ancient India is the creation of a positional decimal number system using zero - the same one that we currently use. In Harappan times (the civilization of the Indus Valley, III-II millennium BC, or the civilization of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, after the name of one of the cities near which excavations began), the Indians, as scientists believe, already counted in dozens.

At first, the oldest Sanskrit texts testify, words were used to write numbers: unit - "moon", "earth"; deuce - "eyes", "lips" ... And only then did the notation of numbers appear. But the most important thing was that the numbers were written positionally, from the lowest to the highest digits, so that the same number, for example "3", depending on the place occupied, could mean 3, and 30, and 300, and 3000 .

The missing discharges were indicated by a small circle and were called "shunya" - "emptiness". To appreciate the convenience of this system, it is enough for the reader to write in Roman numerals, for example, the number 4888 - MMMMDCCCLXXXVIII. It becomes clear why the Syrian bishop and scholar Sever Sebokht believed that there were not enough laudatory words to evaluate the decimal system. The outside world, and above all the West, treated the Indian discovery unfairly: the numbers that we used to call Arabic, the Arabs themselves called Indian.

The most famous mathematician of ancient India was Aryabhata, who lived in the Gupta era (4th-6th centuries). He systematized the decimal positional number system, formulated the rules for extracting square and cube roots, solving linear, quadratic and indefinite equations, compound interest problems, and finally created a simple and complex triple rule. The value of the number "pi" Aryabhata considered equal to 3.1416.

Aryabhata was also an outstanding astronomer. He claimed that the Earth moves around its axis, correctly explained the causes of solar and lunar eclipses, which caused sharp criticism from the Hindu priests and many fellow scientists. From the Gupta era, several astronomical treatises have come down to us, revealing, in addition to original developments, the acquaintance of Indian scientists with Greek astronomy, including the works of Ptolemy. Ancient Indian astronomy and mathematics had a great influence on Arabic science: the merits of Indian scientists were recognized by the great al-Biruni.

Significant achievements of the Indians and in chemistry. They were versed in ores, metals and alloys, were able to produce durable dyes - vegetable and mineral, - glass and artificial gems, aromatic essences and poisons. In philosophical and scientific treatises, scientists developed the idea that all substances in nature are composed of "anu" - atoms. Medicine has reached a high level of development, especially medical school, known as "Ayurveda" - literally "the science of longevity" (it is still popular today). The treatises of the famous physicians Charaka (I-II century) and Sushruta (IV century) describe the treatment with herbal and mineral medicines, diet and hygiene procedures for many diseases, including those that for many subsequent centuries in Europe were treated only by "casting out demons ".

Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology was at a fairly high level in ancient India: Indian doctors correctly explained the purpose of many organs. When making a diagnosis and prescribing a course of treatment, the doctor had to take into account not only physical state the patient, which was determined by the combination of a wide variety of indicators (pulse, body temperature, condition of the skin, hair and nails, urine, and so on), but also the psychological mood of the patient.

Surgeons, using 120 types of instruments, performed the most difficult operations for their time: craniotomy, caesarean section, amputation of limbs.

Surgery to repair deformed ears and nose made history modern medicine as "Indian" - European doctors borrowed this technique from their Indian colleagues only in the 18th century. There were also ideas about medical ethics in India: for example, Charaka urged his students to “strive with all their hearts to heal the sick” and “not to betray them even at the cost of their own lives.” The doctor's speech, he taught, should always be polite and pleasant, he should be restrained, reasonable and always strive to improve his knowledge. Going to the house of the sick, the doctor, pointed out Charaka, should "direct his thoughts, mind and feelings to nothing else but to his patient and his treatment." At the same time, strictly observe medical secrecy, do not tell anyone about the patient's condition, or about what he saw in his house. In many Indian cities there were hospitals (mainly for the poor and travelers), opened at the expense of the king or wealthy citizens.

India is the seventh largest country in the world, known for its ancient culture peoples and world contribution to the development of the whole civilization. The greatest inventions in the most basic areas of life, such as spiritual practice, cuisine and entertainment, come from India.

What was invented in India, starting from the 1st century AD? e.

In ancient times, Indian scientists achieved high level in mathematical knowledge. In the first millennium, ancient mathematics moved to a new level and took a higher level.

Scientists invented a decimal system for writing numbers with their own symbols, which were later modified and are now known as ordinary arithmetic numbers. They also laid the foundations of trigonometric calculations, decimal arithmetic and varieties of calculation methods.

The appearance of the stirrup in the Indian cavalry was one of the important discoveries that were invented in India in the 2nd century. This made it possible for the military to inflict saber strikes and accurate defeats from the bow. At that time, two strong belts with rings at the ends were attached to the saddle and the rider, climbing on the horse, inserted his big toe into one of them.

The invention of chess by the Indians in the 5th-6th century has become part of human culture throughout the world. Initially, the game looked different and was called “chaturanga”, which translates as “four branches of the army”, which included the usual playing field of 64 cells and 32 figures today. But unlike the usual game, the number of players was 4, and the moves of the figures were set by the dice.

Many people know that they invented yoga, also known to everyone, in India. Archaeologists have discovered ancient seals in the Indus Valley, which are at least 5-6 thousand years old, depicting figures of people in various poses. Yoga in our time is considered as two main areas - spiritual practice, and a system of physical and breathing exercises.

Latest modern inventions

Indian scientists never cease to amaze with new discoveries and continue to strive to contribute to the development of world civilization. What has been invented in India in the last few years? One of the main inventions is the creation of a bus, which uses liquefied hydrogen obtained from ordinary water as fuel.