Science During the Gupta Period

The Gupta Empire reigned for numerous centuries and was well-known for a variety of reasons. One of the factors was the Gupta family’s scientific advancement. In the scientific field, many new developments were made. The advancement of metallurgy was one of the most significant scientific breakthroughs. The creation of pillars like the Iron Pillar demonstrates the advancement of metallurgy. The pillar is an example of artistic capabilities during the Gupta period. Another significant achievement was the development of a contemporary numerical system. This invention created the groundwork for modern science.

Development of mathematics

For a multitude of reasons, the Gupta Empire was well-known. The Guptas’ achievements in the field of mathematics were one of the factors. Many innovative inventions have been developed to aid in the solving of mathematical problems. Aryabhatta was a strong supporter of maths education. 1- Decimal system – In mathematics, the decimal system notation was a key development. The place-value system reached its pinnacle at this time. During the Gupta dynasty, there was no symbol for “zero.” Aryabhatta, on the other hand, used powers of ten with null coefficients to signify “zero” in the place-value system. Following the Sanskritic tradition, the Guptas used alphabetical characters to represent numbers. They didn’t employ the Brahmi numbering system. It is hypothesised that pi (p) was considered irrational during the Gupta era.

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The Technique of Aryabhata

The precise five significant figures in estimating the diameter of a surface were reached using Aryabhatta’s technique. In Europe, the same principle of pi’s irrationality was proven considerably later, in 1761. This depicts the Gupta period’s degree of development. Trigonometry was another major topic discovered during this period. The area of a triangle has been described in Ganitapada as the consequence of a perpendicular with the half-side. The Guptas were also aware of concepts such as “sine.”

During this time, new techniques for solving problems based on Diophantine equations like the Aryabhatta algorithm, algebra, and geometry emerged. Aryabhatta’s inventions in the subject of mathematics have proven to be quite useful to the next generation.

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Development of Astrology

Prior to Varahamihira’s Brihat Samhita, which is a compendium of ancient Indian learning and sciences, the Vriddha Garga Samhita is the only work on astrology. Aside from the astrology portions in the Brihat Samhita, Varahamihira also wrote four other works on the subject, which deal with auspicious muhurtas for marriage and auspicious portents for kings’ expeditions, and the moment of man’s birth and its impact on his future. 

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Development of Medicine

The most important works of medicine were the Charaka Samhita and the Sushruta Samhita, written by Charaka and Susruta. In the Ashtanga Sangraha, Vagbhatta  presents their conclusions. A doctor is expected to be a yogi, a person of high moral character, and a supporter of humanity. He wasn’t supposed to charge a lot of money for the drugs he prescribed. He shouldn’t make a distinction between affluent and poor people. The government and the general people both contributed to the construction and upkeep of hospitals that cared for both men and animals. The process of distillation and the application of disinfectants had been discovered by Nagarjuna.

The Indians were also aware of vaccines for smallpox. Indian medicine was concerned with a certain field of study. The organs, ligaments, muscles, arteries, and tissues of the body were all detailed in detail. In Hindu medical texts, a large number of medications from the mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms are referenced. More emphasis was placed on hygiene, physical regimen, and diet. Amputations and procedures had been performed, as well as improvements to malformed ears and noses. Surgical instruments were likewise meticulously constructed. Bower discovered seven works, three of which are related to medicine. The manuscript has been dated to the second half of the fourth-century A.D.based on palaeographical evidence. The document covers topics like the usage of garlic to treat ailments, digestion, and eye problems. Navanitaka is a book that discusses various powders, decoctions, oils, elixirs, and children’s ailments. Susruta is the only well-known name of a medical authority mentioned in the Bower manuscript.

Development of Astronomy

During this time, astronomy achieved significant advances. The major astronomers were Varahamihira and Aryabhatta. According to Aryabhatta, Eclipses are created by the moon passing through the earth’s shadow or passing between the earth and the moon. In astronomy, he used trigonometry. He devised precise algorithms for measuring two days in a row. He’d also figured out the correct orbital equation for the planet. Aryabhatta was much ahead of the European astronomers in terms of knowledge. In 505 A.D. He most likely began authoring Panchasiddhantika. He examines the concepts of the five astronomical schools in this work, which were thought to be the most authoritative at the time. The Romika Siddhanta is the only one of these five schools that clearly shows the Western influence.

As a result of intensive trade contacts between the Roman Empire and the Gupta Empire, this is likely to happen. The Surya Siddhanta is the period’s most important and comprehensive astronomical work. The Surya-Siddhanta appears to have been founded on Greek astronomy. Varahamihira also discusses the Paitamaha Siddhanta, Vasishtha Siddhanta, and Paulisa Siddhanta, which are the other three schools of astronomy. Varahamihira has kept the core teachings of these five astronomical schools in his work.

Development of Chemistry and Meteorology

Under the Gupta Empire, chemistry and metallurgy were developed. There are no texts about chemistry or metallurgy from the Gupta era. Nagarjuna is referred to as a brilliant chemist. The famed Iron Pillar near the Qutub-Minar sits silently as a testament to the Hindus’ remarkable metallurgical prowess. Despite being exposed to rain and sun for the past 1500 years, this pillar has not rusted or corroded. Varahamihira was an astronomer, mathematician, astrologist, metallurgist, chemist, jeweller, botanist, zoologist, civil engineer, water-divining, and meteorologist.

Conclusion

Because of the significant achievements of Indians in the domains of mathematics, astronomy, science, religion, and philosophy during the Gupta Empire, the time between the 4th and 6th century C.E.C.E. is regarded as the Golden Age of India. The scientists of the Gupta period realised that the solar system had seven planets. They also developed technology that allowed them to detect solar and lunar eclipses. Aryabhata was one of the Gupta Empire’s most famous scientists, having discovered that the earth rotates on its axis and revolves around the sun.