India boasts a rich and diverse history that spans thousands of years, with ancient civilizations contributing significantly to the cultural, scientific, and philosophical development of the world. Delving into the past, we uncover a treasure trove of intriguing facts about ancient India that showcase the country's remarkable achievements. Here are 10 fascinating and fun facts about ancient India that shed light on the incredible legacy of them.
1. Indus Valley Civilization - World's First Planned Cities
The Indus Valley Civilization, one of the oldest known human civilizations, flourished around 3300–1300 BCE. It featured sophisticated urban planning, with cities like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa boasting well-organized streets, advanced drainage systems, and even public baths. This makes them some of the world's first planned cities.
This civilization is known for its remarkable town planning, which featured well-organized cities, sophisticated drainage and sanitation systems, standardized weights and measures, and a uniform script. Some of the major cities of the Indus Valley Civilization were Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Dholavira, and Lothal. These cities were divided into two parts: a citadel mound that housed the public buildings, religious structures, and granaries; and a lower town that contained the residential and commercial areas. The cities were built with baked bricks of uniform size and shape and had wide streets, large public baths, and elaborate fortifications.
Additionally, the Indus Valley Civilization was also in contact with other ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China, as evidenced by the trade of goods and ideas.
2. The Rigveda - Oldest Sacred Texts
The Rigveda, a collection of ancient Indian hymns and chants, is one of the oldest religious texts in the world. Composed between 1500 and 1200 BCE, these hymns are the foundation of Hinduism and provide insights into the spiritual beliefs and practices of ancient Indians.
The Rigveda is the oldest of the four sacred texts of Hinduism known as the Vedas. It is composed of 1,028 hymns or suktas that praise various deities, especially Indra, the god of thunder and war. The Rigveda was orally transmitted for centuries before being written down in an ancient form of Sanskrit around 600 BCE.
The Rigveda reflects the religious and cultural beliefs of the early Vedic civilization that flourished in the northwestern part of India. The Rigveda is considered to be a source of wisdom and spiritual guidance for Hindus, as well as a historical and literary document of great value.
3. Decimal System and Zero
Ancient India gifted the world with the concept of the decimal system, including the revolutionary concept of zero. Mathematicians like Aryabhata introduced the numeral system that laid the groundwork for modern mathematics, making complex calculations significantly more accessible.
The decimal system is a way of writing numbers using ten symbols: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. These symbols are called digits and they can be combined in different ways to represent any number. For example, the number 123 is written using three digits: one hundred, two tens, and three ones. The decimal system is also called the base-ten system because it uses ten as the base or the radix of the number system.
One of the advantages of the decimal system is that it is easy to perform arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using this system. Another advantage is that it is widely used in many fields such as mathematics, science, engineering, commerce, and everyday life.
The decimal system would not be possible without the use of zero. Zero is a special symbol that represents the absence of quantity or value. It is also used as a placeholder to indicate the position of a digit in a number. For example, the number 205 has two hundreds, zero tens, and five ones. Without zero, we would not be able to distinguish between numbers such as 205 and 25.
The first civilization to develop a symbol and a concept for zero as a number was the Indian civilization around the fifth century AD. They used a dot or a small circle to represent zero and called it shunya, which means empty or void. They also developed rules for using zero in arithmetic and algebra. The Indian mathematicians recognized that zero had two important properties: it is the additive identity (adding zero to any number gives the same number) and it is the multiplicative annihilator (multiplying any number by zero gives zero).
Today, zero is an essential part of the decimal system and of modern mathematics. It is also used to represent many other concepts such as nothingness, emptiness, nullity, vacuum, origin, minimum, limit, and so on. Zero is both a symbol and a concept that has changed the world.
4. Ayurveda - Ancient Medical Wisdom
Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine in India, has roots dating back over 3,000 years. It emphasizes a holistic approach to health, combining natural remedies, lifestyle adjustments, and dietary practices. Ayurveda continues to influence modern alternative medicine around the globe.
Ayurveda is based on the concept of balance and harmony among the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of life. Ayurveda believes that health is not merely the absence of disease, but a state of complete well-being that can be achieved by following a natural and personalized lifestyle.
Ayurveda uses various methods such as diet, herbs, massage, yoga, meditation, and detoxification to prevent and treat illnesses and promote longevity. Ayurveda is not only a science of healing, but also a philosophy of living that teaches us how to connect with our true nature and purpose.
5. Takshashila - World's First University
Takshashila, an ancient Indian city, is home to what is believed to be the world's first university. Scholars from various parts of the world came to study a wide range of subjects, including astronomy, mathematics, politics, and medicine, at this prestigious center of learning.
Takshashila, also known as Taxila or Takshasila, was the world's first and oldest university, established in 700 BC. It was a renowned center of learning for Vedic, Hindu, and Buddhist scholars from all over the world. More than 10,500 students studied more than 60 subjects at Takshashila, including philosophy, medicine, politics, law, astronomy, mathematics, and literature.
Some of the famous alumni of Takshashila include Chanakya, Panini, Charaka, and Jivaka. Takshashila was also a strategic hub on the Silk Road that connected China to the West. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.
6. Chaturanga - Invention of Chess
Chess, a game that has captivated minds worldwide, originated in ancient India as "Chaturanga" around the 6th century. The game has evolved over the centuries and spread to different cultures, eventually becoming the strategic and intellectual challenge we know today.
Chaturanga is considered to be the earliest ancestor of chess and other similar games that are played across Asia and Europe. The name Chaturanga means "four divisions" in Sanskrit, referring to the four types of pieces: infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariots. The game was spread by the Arabians, who called it shatranj, to Persia and then to Europe during the Middle Ages. There, it underwent several changes in rules, pieces, and names, until it became the modern chess that we know today.
7. Iron Pillar of Delhi - Metallurgical Marvel
The Iron Pillar of Delhi is a remarkable example of ancient Indian metallurgy. It is a 7.21-metre-high column of wrought iron that has stood in the Qutb complex at Mehrauli in Delhi, India, for over 1,600 years. It was erected by Chandragupta II, also known as Vikramaditya, around the 4th century CE, to commemorate his victory over the Vakatakas. The pillar bears a Sanskrit inscription that praises Chandragupta and his dynasty, the Gupta Empire, which is considered the golden age of Indian culture.
The most astonishing feature of the pillar is its corrosion resistance, despite being exposed to the elements for so long. Scientists have studied the pillar and found that it contains high amounts of phosphorus, which forms a thin protective layer of iron phosphate on the surface. The pillar also has a low amount of sulfur and manganese, which are known to promote rusting. The Iron Pillar of Delhi is a testament to the advanced metallurgical skills and artistic achievements of ancient India.
8. Ashoka's Edicts - The Great Mauryan Empire
The Great Mauryan Empire was one of the largest and most powerful empires in ancient India, founded by Chandragupta Maurya in the 4th century BCE. The empire reached its peak under Ashoka the Great, who ruled from 268 to 232 BCE. Ashoka is famous for his policy of Dhamma, which was a set of ethical and moral principles that he promoted through his edicts. Ashoka's edicts are inscriptions that he carved on pillars, rocks, and caves throughout his vast domain, which covered most of South Asia and beyond.
The edicts reveal Ashoka's vision of a peaceful and harmonious society, based on the teachings of Buddhism and other Indian traditions. The edicts also reflect Ashoka's efforts to improve the welfare of his subjects, by providing justice, security, health care, education, and environmental protection. Ashoka's edicts are considered to be one of the earliest examples of written public communication in human history, and they have influenced many rulers and thinkers in later times.
(Photo: britannica.com/place/India/Ashokas-edicts)
9. Sanskrit - The Mother of Languages
Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language, is considered the mother of many modern languages. It has played a crucial role in the development of linguistic studies and literature, with many classical Indian texts, including the Vedas and Upanishads, composed in Sanskrit.
Sanskrit is a highly sophisticated and complex language, with rich grammar and a vast vocabulary. It has influenced many languages in India, such as Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, and Gujarati, as well as languages outside India, such as English, German, Greek, and Latin.
While Sanskrit is still spoken by some people today, it is predominantly used for religious and scholarly purposes. Sanskrit stands as a beautiful and powerful language that reflects the wisdom and culture of its speakers.
10. Kalaripayattu - The Ancient Martial Art
Kalaripayattu, believed to be one of the oldest martial arts in the world, originated in ancient India. This traditional form incorporates strikes, kicks, grappling, and weaponry techniques, influencing the development of various martial arts systems across the globe.
Originating in Kerala, a state in southwestern India, Kalaripayattu has a history of over 3,000 years. The term "Kalaripayattu" is derived from "kalari," meaning a place of training or combat, and "payattu," meaning practice or exercise. This martial art encompasses various aspects of physical, mental, and spiritual development, including hand-to-hand combat, weapon training, self-defense, healing, meditation, and yoga.
Kalaripayattu is founded on principles such as balance, flexibility, coordination, strength, and agility. It incorporates knowledge of vital points (marmas) in the human body that can be used for inflicting pain or healing. Considered the source of inspiration for many other martial arts, including Kung Fu and Karate, Kalaripayattu stands as a comprehensive system contributing to diverse aspects of personal development.
SUMMARY
These fun facts about ancient India offer a glimpse into the richness of their contributions to civilization. From pioneering mathematical concepts to creating timeless works of literature, ancient India has left an indelible mark on human history. Exploring these facets of the past not only fosters a deeper appreciation for India's cultural heritage but also highlights the enduring impact of its ancient innovations on the modern world.
Watch more: All about India for Kids | Learn cool facts about this fascinating country