India is known for its oldest civilizations in the world. Our country has a vast history and is full of rich cultures and traditions. It is not surprising that our nation has produced numerous important inventions given the strength of its scientific advancements and the diversity of its inventions.
Numerous outstanding Indian discoveries contributed to global technical growth. Being the birthplace of vibrant traditional cultures and Ayurveda, it has given the world discoveries that continue to be beneficial to us now. One of the prominent inventions in India is Zero. It is widely known that zero was invented by Aryabhatta who was an Indian mathematician and astronomer.
The world has benefited greatly from numerous outstanding Indian discoveries. Here is an intriguing list of Indian inventions that you must be surprised to know:
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1. The Zero
Zero, which is essentially nothing, made the biggest and most significant contribution to the history of mathematics. Without Zero, there would have been no binary system, and as a result, no computers. And whose idea was this number? The famous Indian mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata, deserves all praise for this invention. So Indians were the first people to use “Zero” as a symbol and in mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, etc. As the additive identity of the integers, real numbers, and other algebraic structures, the number 0 plays a crucial role in mathematics.
2. The Ayurveda
If you have ever received Ayurvedic treatment, you may credit India or, more specifically, the Father of Medicine, Charaka, who was a major influence on Ayurveda. Ayurveda, which translates to “science of life,” is a traditional system of medicine that has been developed and used for over 5,000 years in India. It aids individuals in achieving good health and fulfilling life without the need for prescription medications. Even in the twenty-first century, this antiquated medical system is still in use, and in recent years it has become increasingly well-liked as a complementary and alternative medicine.
3. Board Games
Do you also like to play board games? Board games like the well-known “Chess” and “Snakes and Ladders” are invented in India. Chess is the intellectuals’ game, and it dates back to the Gupta era, roughly to the sixth century AD, when it was first known as “Ashtapada.” Furthermore, Snakes and Ladders, originally called “Mokshapat” was created by the 13th-century poet Gyandev. Ladders signify virtues, whereas snakes stand for vices. This traditional Indian game was brought to England and later the USA during the British rule in India.
4. Yoga
India made a great contribution to the subject of healthy living by popularising yoga, which had been discovered and practiced in the nation throughout history. It had its roots in Lord Shiva (also known as Adi Yoga), the original yoga guru. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, people practice this spiritual, bodily, and mental activity every day. In addition, everyone around the world observes “International Yoga Day” on June 21st each year. India’s Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi is the one who came up with the idea of performing yoga and commemorating it as Yoga Day.
5. Buttons
You might be surprised to find that buttons were first invented in India. The Indus Valley Civilization, which existed in 2000 BCE, is where buttons first appeared. They were created out of seashells and shaped into geometric shapes with tiny holes drilled into them around 5,000 years ago. Initially, they were used as ornaments, but with time, people began to use them to secure clothing. Buttons are often made of plastic in today’s clothing and fashion designs, but they can also be made of metal, wood, or seashells. Additionally, containers like wallets and purses can use buttons.
6. Cataract Surgery
Cataract Surgery is one of the best breakthroughs in the field of medicine. The world owes a debt of gratitude to Sushruta, an Indian physician who invented cataract surgery in the third century CE. Additionally, he was the Sushruta Samhita’s primary author. During the procedure, he used a curved needle (known as a Jabamukhi Salaka) to loosen the lens before pushing the cataract into the back of the eye. The eyes were bandaged until they healed after the surgeon soaked them in warm butter. Although this approach was effective, Sushruta urged everyone to only use it when absolutely required. This effort was eventually expanded to include the West and the entire planet. It might seem absurd, but it’s true!
7. Natural Fibers
India is the origin of all items created from natural fibers including jute, cotton, and wool. Cashmere wool, the finest kind of wool, originates from Kashmir in India and was used to make knitted shawls. Jute and cotton farming were other firsts for the nation. During the fifth and fourth millennia BCE, the people of the Indus Valley Civilization produced cotton and processed it into threads that were then utilized in garments. Additionally, India has been growing jute (a plant fiber) and exporting raw jute to the West since ancient times.
8. Wireless Communication
The development of wireless communication has completely changed how we communicate. Although Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose was the first to publicly demonstrate the use of radio waves for communication back in 1895, exactly two years before Guglielmo Marconi performed a similar demo in England, Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose is really credited by historians as being the Indian inventor of wireless radio transmission. In other words, Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose created wireless communication technology that eliminates the need for wires, cables, and electrical conductors to enable rapid communication and long-distance information transmission.
9. Shampoo
Shampoo was created in India in 1762 in the eastern regions of the Mughal Empire as a “head massage” using natural oils and herbs. The Sanskrit phrase “Chapayati,” which means to massage or knead, is where the Hindi word “campo,” comes from which is the basis for the English word “shampoo”. Nowadays, shampoo is used all around the world to wash hair and there are even different types of shampoos that contain different compositions but the first ever used shampoo was by Indians.
10. The USB
The Universal Serial Bus, also known as USB, is one of the numerous inventive Indian innovations that are widely used worldwide in the IT industry. Ajay V. Bhatt, an Indian-American computer architect who has won numerous awards, created the USB. It is a tiny detachable storage device that can store and transport a lot of data. It is also convenient to carry and use so it is widely used throughout the world.
The final words
So overall, there are many other Inventions in India that you can look for in detail on the internet. But this was our list of top ten inventions in India. These great Indian inventions were assumed to be foreign but originated in India. We have given the world many inventions and discoveries that have transformed society for the better. The good thing is that now India is also working on scientific research and development and we can see many more inventions and developments in the future. We hope you found this article informative and interesting and now you know about the top inventions in India.
