NCERT book links modern science to early Indian discoveries

From ancient philosopher Acharya Kanad’s concept of “Parmanu” (atoms) to mathematician Bhaskara II's water bowl astronomy techniques, the new National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) science textbook for Class 8 has sections dedicated to Indian scientific knowledge and discoveries.

- Sanjay Maurya

It also mentions the medicinal use of alloys such as “Kamsya” (an alloy of copper and tin), the use of natural solvents such as water and oils in Ayurvedic drug formulations, and the traditional method of variolation used to combat smallpox before modern vaccines.

The book has sections titled “Ever heard of?” and “Our scientific heritage” linking modern scientific concepts to early Indian discoveries. The former is aimed at sustaining students’ interests through fascinating facts and observations from ancient Indian texts, while the latter offers information about institutions and persons that have contributed to the progress of scientific temper.