When it comes to history, we have some accomplishments with irrefutable proofs. On the other hand we have some accomplishments like Ayurveda and yoga which are based on traditions and despite any hard documentary proofs of their inception as an idea the world recognizes those as Indian contribution to the world. But when we start using religious scriptures as proofs for past accomplishments and claim that we knew of interplanetary air travel based on the Ramayana or reconstructive plastic surgery based on Lord Ganesha, eyebrows are bound to be raised. Such claims have been made in the past by nationalists of various kind but none of that ever attracted any attention from the mainstream media. At a recent conference in Mumbai, Dr. Harshvardhan who is a senior BJP member and official was an invited speaker. This is what an article claims about his speech.
Dr Vardhan, a surgeon by training, made the claim at the 102nd Indian Science Congress in Mumbai, which also hit headlines for claims that included assertions of ancient inter-planetary flight, of herbal pastes being used on the feet to find underground water, ways to use dung with herbs and egg white to make natural plastics, and the performance of reconstruction plastic surgery 3,500 years ago.
When we talk of Ayurveda or Yoga or our ancient achievements in the areas of Math, science and astronomy we are on real solid grounds. Prof. Manjul Bhargava who is the only person of Indian origin to win the Field’s medal (the “Math Nobel” prize) said the following on the claim that Indians discovered what is now known as the Pythagoras Theorem.
It depends on what you mean (where the Pythagorean theorem first originated)," says Dr Bhargava, the Brandon Fradd professor of mathematics at Princeton University, adding that there are different levels of knowledge of the theorem.
Another standard would involve," he adds, "the requirement of a document that explicitly states the Pythagorean theorem -- the geometric theorem. That first occurs about 800 BC in India in the Shuba Sutra of Baudhayan."
"There's the first explicitly written theorem that ways that if you have a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse is the sum of the square of the length of the two legs. That is written for the first time as a theorem for a general triangle in the Shuba Sutra of Baudhayan... At least, that's the first recorded instance."
"In that sense, if you want hard scientific evidence, it's accurate to say that the Pythagorean Theorem was first (recorded) in India in about 800 BC. Another standard could go beyond a mere statement," says Dr Bhargava.
This what I mean by concrete proof. Such proofs will initiate debates that can be resolved. Religious scriptures as proofs will initiate derision with loss of credibility in all those who do not follow blindly. The former will instill pride in all of us. The latter will provide a stick to the leftist liberals with which to beat the PM. The point is that our PM right now is like Arjun with his aim at the eye of the fish – which in his case is the future and economic wellbeing of India. This proclamations about our past especially those associated with the administration are totally avoidable distractions.
What we read about in our scriptures maybe true to some extent. After all, someone imagined it. All imagination is fuelled by an observation from the present. But that kind of debate will need us to take a leap of faith which is only possible for the Hindus with blind faith. A debate on that topic with sceptics, scientists and leftists all we will get is mockery and name calling. And that is really counter-productive. Past is important but future more so. Iraq was once the cradle of civilization – Babylon. Egyptians have the Pyramids and Sphinx. They can really make big and valid claims about their past. But as they stand right now, what is their future? On the other hand, the USA has essentially no history. We have monuments in almost all our cities older than the US. But with hard work and focus they have a really bright future. The question before us is that do we want to emulate the USA or be like Egypt and Iraq where past glories are used as an excuse for current day laziness and ineptitude?
The article mentioned can be read at: http://www.rediff.com/news/special/did-india-discover-pythogoras-theorem-a-top-mathematician-answers/20150109.htm
