The whole world stunned when the “Harappan civilization” (Harappa, means ‘The first discovered site’), came into light. The excavation was done by Daya Ram Sahni (1921), Madho Swaroop Vatsa (1926), and Wheeler (1946). John Marshall gave the term ‘Indus Civilzation’ and it’s commonly accepted time period is determine between 2500 BC-1750 BC (according to carbon-14 dating).
Vedic period is considered to be around (1500 BC-600BC). If we took a deep chronological insight then we’ll find that comparable to other civilizations India’s civilization is the oldest one.
India’s Civilization near about 6451 B.C
Egyptian Civilization near about 5500 B.C
China’s Civilization near about 3000 B.C
Greece Civilization near about 1000 B.C
Rome Civilization Civilization near about 600 B.C
Many historians claim that Egypt’s civilization is older than India’s civilization, but it’s not so as during Chandragutpa Maurya ruling time period Megasthenese, a Greek ambassador came to India between 302-298 B.C, & during his stay in India he did a lot of study in a library of Patliputra & wrote about that in his book ‘Indica’. According to Megasthenese, the time period period of 154 Kings from the period of King Bakas till Chandragupta Maurya was mentioned, and their total ruling time period was calculated and found to be 6451 years. So Chandragupta Maurya ruling time period was near about 2320 years back. So if we calculate both the time period it gives, 6451+2320=8771 years. Whereas the written records of Egyptian civilization are found till 5500 B.C. Thus according to written records, Egyptian civilization is 5500+2000=7500 years old.
Therefore by comparing both 8771-7550=1271 years, Indian civilization is more older than Egyptian civilization. (*Research note by Dr. B. Shambhunath Shastri)
Secondly, in Egypt during the process of mummification or preservation of dead bodies of King & queen of Egypt, they use the ‘tamarind wood’ & ‘Indigo’, which was at that time only found in India and nowhere else in the world, that’s why the Egyptians named it as ‘Indigo’, and tamarind is distorted name of ‘tamre-hind’ it was exported from India to the whole world.
Ancient India’s distinguished Educational Institutions
- Taxila University*: (7th cen. BC).
- Nalanda University (450 A.D)
- Vallabhi University (475-775 A.D)
- Vikramshila University (775 A.D)
- Jagaddala University (1084-1130 A.D)
- Audantpuri (749 A.D)
- Nadiya or Navdweep (11th Cen.)
- Mithila University (From Vedic period till 15th Cen.)
* Taxila is the first university of the world It was famous for Medical Studies. Great persoalities like Kautilya, also known as Chanakya, who wrote world famous books like “Chanakyaneeti” &” Arthashastra”, Pushyamitra, Panini , famous physician Jeevak serve this institution.
Minimum age for entering in university was considered to be 16 years, and he has to pass a tough entrance examination test before taking admission.
Mainly 18 subjects are taught in the university which is planned in such a way that they may prove helpful to make the student stand on their foot in their future life, list of some subjects are as follows: Politics, Philosophy, Mathematics, Ayurveda, Surgery, Archery, Astrology, Future Forecasting, Farming, Business Strategies, Maintaining Accounts, Horse Riding, Magical Tricks (Indrajaal), Snake Hypnotizing (Nagvashikaran), Prediction of hidden money (Gupta nidhi anveshan), music, dance & painting.
Varanasi, Mathura, Kanchi, are famous for religious studies and covering almost all aspects of human life including philosophy ,literature, politics, mathematics, ayurveda, astrology, etc. Students from many countries of South Asia like China, Japan, etc.
For common people and uneducated class which include peasants, cobblers, fisherman, etc. our ancient sages certain principles or rituals like following practices like doing fasting, taking bath regularly, doing prayer both times at dawn and dusk, etc. which helps them to make their life healthy and disciplined.
Thus by these you can get a glimpse of ancient India.
