Ancient Indian Inventions

Zero (0)LINK to other article related to Aryabhatta’s Bhakshali manuscript mentions zero,which was translated by Arabic first then by Europeans.

Ink-

Ancient Indians first made ink by burning tar, pitch, bones. Carbon was the primary pigment.

The Hindu Vedas written in Ink are among some of the most ancient texts in the world

Sea Dock –Link to other articleIndia was the first nation to have a dock that dated back to 6000 BCE. Harappa Civilization were the first to build a dock in Lothal. This proves their oceanology and marine engineering. The Lothal Dock proves their precision and vast knowledge about tidal waves and hydrography.

Historic Lothal Dock

Diamond MiningDiamonds were first mined in India. Till 18th century, India was the only country where diamonds were found and exported to other countries. Various ancient books have mentioned the use of diamond as a tool and have also mentioned the exquisiteness of this sparkling stone

Some of the largest diamonds in the world were stolen from Hindu kings and now housed outside of India

Medical Vaccinations & Treatments (Ayurveda)Link to other articleLeprosy was first noticed by Indians and various ancient remedies are also mentioned in the Atharva Veda. Treatment for stones was first introduced in India. Small Pox vaccinations were first cured in India and symptoms and ways of immunization against small pox were mentioned in 8 th century by Madhav.Ayurveda and Siddha are the two primitive methods of treatment that originated in India and are still used. Indian medical practitioner Nobel Laureate Upendra Nath Bramhachari invented methods to treat Visceral Leishmaniasis or Kala Azar.

The ancient form of medical treatments & foods is called Ayurveda

Surgery Link to other articleAncient Indian physician Sushruta performed first Cataract surgery and plastic surgery back to >2000 BCE and his work were later translated to Arabic language and gradually passed on to European countries. He used a curved needle and removed the cataract by pushing the lens. People from far off countries came to India to seek treatment.

Surgery 1000s of years ago in Ancient India

Wool, Cotton, Plant (Natural Fibers)Natural fibers like wool, cotton and plant fiber originated from India. Evidences show that people of the Indus Valley used cotton and India pioneered the art of cotton spinning and used it in making fabric. Jute, a plant fiber, was cultivated in India since ancient times and was later exported to other countries. Cashmere wool, which is supposed to be the finest wool was first made in Kashmir and was used to make hand- made shawls. These shawls have maintained their richness and exclusivity even today.

Natural fibers from ancient India

ButtonsButtons are a major part of our clothing even today. Buttons were invented in India and various historical evidences and excavations prove that buttons were used by the people belonging to the Indus Valley Civilization. Shells were given various shapes and were pierced into a hole. Earlier they were used more as an embellishment but were gradually used to fasten clothes

Buttons made of stone from Ancient India

Cotton Gin is a machine used to separate cotton from the seeds. The evidence of this machine was found through the carvings on Ajanta caves where the pictures of these machines were engraved. Dating back to 500 AD, this hand roller machine was locally called Charkha. This machine has undergone changes through the course of time but the most primitive form of cotton gin originated from India.

Cotton Gin origins from Ancient India

Crucible SteelHigh-quality steel has been produced in South India since ancient times. They used crucible technique toproduce high quality steel in Ancient India.. Pure wrought iron was first mixed with glass and charcoal and was heated till the metal melted and absorbed the carbon.