Contributions of Indian scientists in the development of science:
Ancient ,Medieval and Modern Science and Mathematics were highly developed during the ancient period in India. Ancient Indians contributed immensely to the knowledge in Mathematics as well as various branches of Science.
Medieval period marks the coming of Muslims in India. By this time, the traditional indigenous classical learning had already received a setback. The pattern of education as prevalent in Arab countries was gradually adopted during this period. As a result, Maktabs and Madrasas came into existence. These institutions used to receive royal patronage. A chain of madrasas, opened at several places, followed a set curriculum. The two brothers, Sheikh Abdullah and Sheikh Azizullah, who were specialists in rational science, headed the madrasas at Sambal and Agra. Apart from the talent available locally in the country, learned men from Arabia, Persia and Central Asia were also invited to take charge of education in madrasas.
The development of scientific thought in modern India can be attributed to the scientists of this period. Towards the second half of the nineteenth century, Sir C.V. Raman brought about an unprecedented change in Indian scientific thought, Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, known as the father of our Nuclear Physics, predicted the future of Indian science. Dr. J.C. Bose, in the field of plant physiology, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, in the field of atomic energy and industrialization and Dr. Abdul Kalam, in the field of defence technology, brought about revolutionary changes to reawaken the glory of Modern India.
Some famous ancient Indian Mathematicians were Baudhayan, Aryabhatta, Brahmgupta, Bhaskaracharya, Mahaviracharya.
Some famous scientists were Kanad, Varahamihira, Nagarjuna.
Medical Science was also highly developed in ancient India.
Ayurveda is the indigenous system of medicine that was developed in Ancient India. The word Ayurveda literally means the science of good health and longevity of life.
Charak is called the father of ayurvedic medicine and Susruta the father of surgery in ancient India.
Susruta‘s greatest contribution was in the fields of Rhinoplasty (plastic surgery) and Ophthalmic surgery (removal of cataracts).
Charak Samhita, written by Charak is a remarkable book on medicine.
The science of Yoga was developed in ancient India as an allied science of Ayurveda for healing without medicine at the physical and mental level.
Patanjali was the first scholar to present this great science systematically in his Yoga Sutras.
Srinivasa Ramanujan was a great mathematical genius of India who has several outstanding achievements in this field to his credit.
C.V. Raman was an outstanding Indian scientist who won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1930. His finding that light is made up of particles known as photons is known as the Raman Effect.
Dr. J.C. Bose is credited with the invention of the Crescograph that can record plant growth and movement, among other achievements, like devising instruments known as Bose instruments.
Dr. Homi Bhabha was another great Indian Scientist who led India into the atomic age.
Dr. Vikram Sarabhai was another great genius of modem India who was behind the launching of India‘s first satellite Aryabhatta. He was also a great industrialist who founded many industries. He was the chairperson of INCOSPAR and the Atomic Energy Commissions.
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the President of India, developed the SLV3 which put the satellite Rohini into orbit. As Director of DRDO, he developed five projects – Prithvi, Trishul, Akash, Nag and Agni. He continues to inspire the Indian youth till today.