FACTS 

1.      World’s First University 

This First University ever to exist was around 2,700 years ago, as early as 700 BCE. This University was at Takshashila, northwest region of India. It taught a wide range of subjects, such as, Philosophy, Medicine, Politics, Astrology, Accounts, Commerce, Music, Dance, Archery, Vedas, Warfare and so on. There were sixty-eight different streams of knowledge on the syllabus. Experienced people like, Kautilya, Jivak and Vishnu Sharma taught these subjects. The minimum age requirement was 16, and there were a total of 10,500 students at this campus. Students as far as Greece, Arabia, China, Syria and Babylonia came to study.

 2.    The Invention of Geometry 

The word Geometry has emerged from the Indian word ‘Gyaamiti’ which means measuring the earth. Also the word Trigonometry is similar to the word ‘Trikonamiti’ meaning measuring triangular forms. The concept of Geometry in India emerged in 1,000 BCE, from the practice of making fire altars in rectangular and square shapes. Surya Siddhanta (4^th century CE) describes Trigonometry, which were introduced to Europe 1,200 yrs later in the 16^th century by Briggs. 

3.     The number Zero 

An inscription of the number zero was found on a copper plate in Gujarat, India (585-586 CE). This was the earliest recorded date, without the number zero there would be no binary system. No computers! Counting would be clumsy and cumbersome. In Brahma-Phuta-Siddhanta of Brahmagupta 7^th century CE, the number Zero is explained and was rendered in Arabic books around 770 CE. From this it was carried to Europe in the 8^th century. 

4.    Sanskrit

The Sanskrit language is the oldest, and the most systematic language that has survived the longest period through history. It can express all types of thoughts in their appropriate terminology. For example, from science to philosophy, astronomy to anatomy, mythology to literature, as well as, mathematics, cosmology and genetics. The wealth of the Sanakrit words and the synonyms gives a great versatility to express, for example there are 65 words for Earth and 70 for water, each word being the original of Sanskrit, not derived from any other language. 

“ The Sanskrit language, whatever be its antiquity, is of wonderful structure, more perfect than the Greek, more copious than the Latin and more exquisitely refined than either”

SIR WILLIAM JONES (British Orientalist. 1746-1794)

 5.     Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery took place in India around 2,600 years ago. Shushruta practised his skills as early as 600 BCE. He used cheek skin to perform plastic surgery to reshape or restore the ears, nose and the lips. The modern plastic surgery acknowledges his contributions by calling this method rhinoplasty as the Indian method.
“ The surgery of the ancient Indian physicians was bold and skilful. A special branch of surgery was devoted to rhinoplasty or operations for improving deformed ears, noses and forming new ones, which European surgeons have now borrowed.” 

SIR W. HUNTER (British Surgeon. 1718-1783)

6)      The First Traditional Hindu Mandir in Europe 

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is the first traditional Mandir in Europe.  2,828 tonnes of Bulgarian limestone and 2,000 tonnes of marble were shipped to India to be carved by over 1,500 craftsmen. In all, 26,300 carved pieces were then reshipped to England. These pieces were put together like a jigsaw within three years by over a thousand volunteers. 

7)      Operations

Did you know that the ancient Indians were the first to perform amputation, cranial surgery and caesarean surgery?