Indian Knowledge System

 Course Objectives :

1. To understand the Indian knowledge System.
2. To understand the foundational concepts for science and technology.
3. To understand the ancient Indian mathematics and astronomy.
4. To understand the ancient Indian engineering and technology.

Course Outcomes (CO)

• CO1 Ability to understand the Indian knowledge System.
• CO2 Ability to understand and apply foundational concepts for science and technology.
• CO3 Ability to understand and apply ancient Indian mathematics and astronomy
• CO4 Ability to understand ancient Indian engineering and technology

UNIT-I

Indian Knowledge System (IKS) - An Introduction: Overview of IKS - Importance of Ancient Knowledge; Defining IKS; The IKS Corpus – A Classification Framework;

Chaturdaśa-Vidyāsthāna; History of IKS, Some unique aspects of IKS;

The Vedic Corpus – Introduction to Vedas; The Four Vedas and their divisions; Vedāngas; Vedic Life;

Philosophical Systems – Indian Philosophical Systems; Vedic Schools of Philosophy; Non-Vedic Philosophical

Systems; Wisdom through the Ages – Purānas, Itihāsa as source of wisdom, Rāmāyana, Mahābhārata, Nitiśāstras, Subhāssitas.

UNIT-II

Foundational Concepts for Science and Technology: Linguistics - Components of Language; Pānini’s work on Sanskrit Grammar; Phonetics in Sanskrit; Patterns in Sanskrit Vocabulary; Computational Concepts in Astādhyāyi, Logic for Sentence Construction; Importance of Verbs; Role of Sanskrit in Natural Language Processing

Number System and Units of Measurement – Number System in India; Salient Features of the Indian Numeral System; Unique approaches to represent numbers; Measurements for Time, Distance and Weight; Pingala andthe Binary System

Knowledge: Framework and Classification – The Knowledge Triangle; Prameya; Pramāna; Samśaya; Framework for establishing Valid Knowledge

UNIT-III

Mathematic and Astronomy in IKS: Mathematics – Unique aspects of Indian Mathematics; Great Mathematicians and their Contributions;

Arithmetic; Geometry; Trigonometry; Algebra; Binary Mathematics and Combinatorial Problems in Chandahśāstra of Pingala, Magic Squares in India

Astronomy - Unique aspects of Indian Astronomy; Historical Development of Astronomy in India; The Celestial

Coordinate System; Elements of the Indian Calendar; Āryabhatiya and the Siddhāntic Tradition; Pancānga; Astronomical Instruments; Jantar Mantar of Rājā Jai Singh Sawai

UNIT - IV

Engineering and Technology in IKS: Engineering and Technology: Metals and Metalworking – The Indian S & T Heritage; Mining and Ore Extraction;

Metals and Metalworking Technology; Iron and Steel in India; Lost wax casting of Idols and Artefacts; Apparatuses used for Extraction of Metallic Components

Engineering and Technology: Other Applications – Literary sources for Science and Technology; Physical Structures in India; Irrigation and Water Management; Dyes and Painting Technology; Surgical Techniques; Shipbuilding; Sixty-four Art Forums; Status of Indigenous S & T

Textbook(s):

1. B. Mahadevan, Vinayaka Rajat Bhat & Nagendra Pavana R.N., “Introduction to Knowledge System: Concepts and Applications” PHI (2022).

References:

1. C.M Neelakandhan & K.A. Ravindran, “Vedic Texts and The Knowledge Systems of India”, Sri Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady (2010).
2. P.P. Divakaran, “The Mathematics of India: Concepts, Methods, Connections”, Springer (2018)
3. C.A. Sharma, “Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy”, Motilal Banarasidass Publication (1964)
4. G. Huet, A. Kulkarni & P. Scharf, “Sanskrit Computational Linguistics”, Springer (2009).
5. A.K. Bag, “History of Technology in India”, Indian National Science Academy, Vol 1, (1997)