Zero to Gravity: The Ancient Indian Roots of Modern Science.
Explore the 108 foundational concepts across mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and engineering..
PART 1: THE ROOTS OF MATHEMATICS
The Chakravala Method of Cycles – Solving the Monstrous Equations
The Concept The Chakravala approach is used to solve indeterminate quadratic equations, such as $Nx^2 + 1 = y^2$. [...]
Permutations & Combinations – The Arithmetic of Choice
The Concept This is the arithmetic that determines how many possibilities exist. How many 3-scoop combinations can you make [...]
Pascal’s Triangle (Meru Prastara) – The Staircase of Combinations
The Concept In this triangular array of integers, each number is the sum of the two directly above it. [...]
Negative Numbers (Rina) – The Mathematics of Debt
The Concept Negative numbers (-1, -5, and -10) are less than zero. They are useful for demonstrating debt, temperatures [...]
The concept of infinity (Ananta) – Embracing the Endless
The Concept Infinity indicates that a number has no end. It is a means to understand the limitations of [...]
Quadratic Equations – The Color-Coded Math
The Concept Solving a quadratic equation ($ax^2 + bx + c = 0$) is necessary for determining the trajectory [...]
PART II: THE ROOTS OF ASTRONOMY AND COSMOLOGY
Economics (Arthashastra) – The Science of Wealth
The Concept Economics is the management of wealth. It addresses taxation, trade, employment legislation, and risk management. It is [...]
Panini’s Grammar (First Code) – The Motherboard of Language
The Concept Language normally evolves in a chaotic manner. However, Sanskrit was ‘refined’ (Samskrita) into an ideal algebraic system. [...]
Suspension Bridges – Swinging from the Sky
The Concept A bridge that swings from cables rather than pillars allows it to cross deep gorges where pillars [...]
Hydraulic Engineering (The Grand Anicut) – Taming the Shifting Sands
The Concept Engineers face difficulties when building a dam on a sandy riverbank because the sand drifts and damages [...]
Stone Lathes (Turning Granite) – Machining the Hardest Rock
The Concept A lathe rotates a workpiece while a stationary tool cuts it, producing objects that are perfectly round [...]
Fractal Architecture – The Geometry of the Infinite
The Concept A fractal is a pattern that repeats itself on smaller and smaller scales; it is ‘Self-Similar’. Nature [...]
PART III: THE ROOTS OF PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY
Economics (Arthashastra) – The Science of Wealth
The Concept Economics is the management of wealth. It addresses taxation, trade, employment legislation, and risk management. It is [...]
Panini’s Grammar (First Code) – The Motherboard of Language
The Concept Language normally evolves in a chaotic manner. However, Sanskrit was ‘refined’ (Samskrita) into an ideal algebraic system. [...]
Suspension Bridges – Swinging from the Sky
The Concept A bridge that swings from cables rather than pillars allows it to cross deep gorges where pillars [...]
Hydraulic Engineering (The Grand Anicut) – Taming the Shifting Sands
The Concept Engineers face difficulties when building a dam on a sandy riverbank because the sand drifts and damages [...]
Stone Lathes (Turning Granite) – Machining the Hardest Rock
The Concept A lathe rotates a workpiece while a stationary tool cuts it, producing objects that are perfectly round [...]
Fractal Architecture – The Geometry of the Infinite
The Concept A fractal is a pattern that repeats itself on smaller and smaller scales; it is ‘Self-Similar’. Nature [...]
PART IV: THE ROOTS OF LIFE SCIENCES AND MEDICINE
Circulation of Blood (Rakta Dhatu) – The Continuous Wheel of Life
The Concept Blood is always moving; it flows from the heart to each cell and back again. It carries [...]
Inoculation (Vaccination) – The Early Science of Immunity
The Concept Vaccination is based on the idea that giving a healthy person a small, weak dose of a [...]
Cataract Surgery – Clearing the Clouded Vision
The Concept A cataract develops when the eye's natural lens becomes obscured, which can cause blindness. Surgery can either [...]
Plastic Surgery (Rhinoplasty) – The Indian Flap Technique
The Concept Plastic surgery is the practice of reconstructing body parts. Rhinoplasty (nose repair) involves taking a skin flap [...]
PART V: THE ROOTS OF ENGINEERING AND CIVILISATION
Economics (Arthashastra) – The Science of Wealth
The Concept Economics is the management of wealth. It addresses taxation, trade, employment legislation, and risk management. It is [...]
Panini’s Grammar (First Code) – The Motherboard of Language
The Concept Language normally evolves in a chaotic manner. However, Sanskrit was ‘refined’ (Samskrita) into an ideal algebraic system. [...]
Suspension Bridges – Swinging from the Sky
The Concept A bridge that swings from cables rather than pillars allows it to cross deep gorges where pillars [...]
Hydraulic Engineering (The Grand Anicut) – Taming the Shifting Sands
The Concept Engineers face difficulties when building a dam on a sandy riverbank because the sand drifts and damages [...]
Stone Lathes (Turning Granite) – Machining the Hardest Rock
The Concept A lathe rotates a workpiece while a stationary tool cuts it, producing objects that are perfectly round [...]
Fractal Architecture – The Geometry of the Infinite
The Concept A fractal is a pattern that repeats itself on smaller and smaller scales; it is ‘Self-Similar’. Nature [...]
