Q. With reference to the scientific progress of ancient India, which of the statements given below are correct?
- Different kinds of specialized surgical instruments were in common use by 1st century AD.
- Transplant of internal organs in the human body had begun by the beginning of 3rd century AD.
- The concept of sine of an angle was known in 5th century AD.
- The concept of cyclic quadrilaterals was known in 7th century AD.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (UPSC Prelims 2012)
Answer:
1, 3 and 4 only
Notes: The correct answer is [C] 1, 3 and 4 only. Ancient India made remarkable progress in various fields of science, including medicine, mathematics, and astronomy. While many complex procedures and concepts were remarkably advanced for their time, certain modern medical milestones like organ transplantation were not among them.
- Specialized Surgical Instruments (Statement 1 is Correct): The Sushruta Samhita, attributed to the surgeon Sushruta (often dated between 600 BC and 100 AD), describes over 100 surgical instruments including scalpels, needles, and forceps. By the 1st century AD, the use of these specialized tools for procedures like cataract surgery and rhinoplasty was well-established in Indian medical practice.
- Transplant of Internal Organs (Statement 2 is Incorrect): While ancient Indian surgeons were pioneers in plastic surgery (reconstructing noses and ears) and ophthalmic surgery, there is no historical or scientific evidence to suggest that the transplantation of internal organs (such as kidneys or hearts) was practiced or even conceptualized in the 3rd century AD. This is a modern medical achievement requiring advanced immunology and preservation techniques.
- Concept of Sine (Statement 3 is Correct): The concept of sine (known as "jya") was well-known in 5th century AD India. It was prominently detailed in the Aryabhatiya, written by the mathematician-astronomer Aryabhata in 499 AD. He provided tables of sine differences and used trigonometric functions to calculate planetary positions.
- Concept of Cyclic Quadrilaterals (Statement 4 is Correct): The properties of cyclic quadrilaterals were explored by the mathematician Brahmagupta in the 7th century AD (specifically in his work Brahmasphutasiddhanta, 628 AD). He is famous for providing the formula for the area of a cyclic quadrilateral, now known as Brahmagupta's Formula.