India is a land of glorious history as it has been home to some of the most ancient civilizations in the world. These civilizations have been the breeding ground of some of the most important developments in various fields in the history of the world. This is why historians and art lovers around the world take interest in India and the ancient civilizations which were once a part of this country.
Here are 15 things to know about the ancient Indian civilizations:
#1. The famous Indus Valley Civilization was established in India some 5000 years ago. The most amazing fact is that relics have shown it to be an advanced and well planned civilization, which comes as a surprise considering that thus was the period when most cultures around the world had nomadic dwellers.
#2. As the Indus Valley Civilization met its end sometime near 2000 BC, the country was reigned by Aryans, the Indi Europeans who migrated here and reigned the country during the Vedic period.
#3. The Vedas were written during the reign of Aryans in the country and the basis of Hinduism was also formed in this time, with the influence of Aryans and Indus Valley Civilization coming together. Thus was the time caste system was introduced in the society.
#4. Varanasi or Banaras in India is the oldest inhabited city in the world. It is one of the most important pilgrimages of the Hindu religion
#5. India is the land where cotton fabric was manufactured first. The fabric was worn by Roman Emperors and they considered it very soft, superior and good for the skin.
#6. The practice of writing with a sharp needle dipped in colored ink has been carried out in India since 4th century BC.
#7. The games of cards and chess have been known to have originated in ancient India. The game of Snakes and Ladders was also introduced here.
#8. The credit of development of Ayurveda, the ancient system of medicine also goes to the ancient civilizations of India. It was here that the system was developed by Charaka, the Father of Medicine, some 2500 years ago.
#9. Besides development of medicine, India was also the place where surgical techniques were practiced long, long ago. Sushruta was known as the Father of Surgery and he developed several complex surgical procedures, much ahead of his times.
#10. The art of navigation was also developed in the country around 6000 years ago. It was practiced over River Indus, which was also known as Sindh at that time.
#11. The first university in the world was established in Takshila in 700 BC and students from around the world came here for education.
#12. Various mathematical concepts related to algebra, calculus and trigonometry took birth in India and so did decimal and place value systems.
#13. It was the ancient Indian civilization which introduced Yoga, the art of holistic healing, to the world and the art is still widely practiced.
#14. The calculation of time period of the earth around the sun was also done in the country and the credit of the discovery goes to Bhaskaracharya.
#15. After Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism became the two most important religions established in the country.
All these facts surely make the ancient India and its civilization more and more captivating.
Santosh Kumar is a Professional SEO and Blogger, With the help of this blog he is trying to share top 10 lists, facts, entertainment news from India and all around the world.