Thanks to M G Anantharaman, who forwarded this piece:
India has been a prominent center of learning since ancient times. The land was one of the most
Top 10 Biggest Inventions by Indians
http://omgtoptens.com/history/India has been a prominent center of learning since ancient times. The land was one of the most
advanced regions in various fields of science.The Indian subcontinent has been a major
contributor to the world and has excelled in fields of astronomy, numerology, arithmetic,
mineralogy, metallurgy, logic, information and technology. Some of the inventions even date back
to as early as the Indus Valley Civilization. Historical evidences and excavations by
archaeologists ascertain the dominance of India in the field of science and technology.
10. Cotton Gin
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.
9. Buttons
Buttons 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.
8. Natural Fibers
Natural fibers like wool, cotton and plant 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.
7. Surgery
Cataract surgery and plastic surgery were also first performed by the ancient physician
Sushruta. These surgeries dated back to 2000BCE 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. The eyes were then immersed in warm butter and
were properly covered till they were completely healed. People from far off
countries came to India to seek treatment.
6. Medical Treatments
Leprosy was first noticed by Indians and various ancient remedies are also mentioned in
the Atharva Veda. Lithiasis treatment or the treatment for eradicating 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 as an
alternate way of treatment. They were used for holistic healing and ancient sages of India
mastered this treatment method. Another Indian medical practitioner named Upendra Nath
Bramhachari invented methods to treat Visceral Leishmaniasis or
Kala Azar. This Nobel Laureate was responsible for the eradication of this ailment.
5. Diamonds
Diamonds were first mined in India. Huge deposits of diamonds were found in Central
India and it gradually developed as a precious stone. India till 18 th century was the only
country where diamonds were found and were later on exported to other countries. Indians
were well aware of the physical properties of diamond like its durability, ability to cut other hard
surfaces, sparkling effect and the refractive property. Various ancient books have
mentioned the use of diamond as a tool and have also mentioned the exquisiteness of this sparkling stone.
4. Dock
India was the first nation to have a dock that dated back to 2400BCE. People belonging
to the Harappa Civilization were the first to build a dock in Lothal. This proves their immense
understanding of oceanology and marine engineering. The Lothal Dock proves their precision and
vast knowledge about tidal waves and hydrography. Without
having a thorough knowledge of these topics, it is impossible to build a dock.
3. Crucible Steel
High-quality steel has been produced in South India since ancient times. The technique used
to manufacture it was later on called the crucible technique. Pure wrought iron was first put
together with glass and charcoal in a container and
was heated till the metal melted and absorbed the carbon.
2. Ink
Ink made from various materials was first invented in India. This black
pigment was used in writing manuscripts in ancient India.
India ink was made by burning tar,
pitch, bones. Carbon was the primary pigment of India ink.
1. Zero
Mathematics does not make sense without zero. Although it has no value,
it plays a vital role in Arithmetic. Aryabhatta was a great mathematician and an
ace astronomer. His contribution to mathematics is unimaginable. Use of Place Value System was
clearly mentioned in Aryabhatta’s Bhakshali manuscript and thus zero came into existence.
No particular symbol was given to zero but the presence of zero was evident from his work
