May 11 - National Technology Day: Know About Ancient India's Contribution to The Field of Science and Technology

The occasion's main objective is to honor people working in the field of technology.

May 11 each year is celebrated as National Technology Day in India. Established in 1998, the day honors people working in the field of technology and also highlights the achievements of tech giants, researchers, and tech engineers. It commemorates the successful nuclear tests in Pokhran in May 1998.

India has seen enormous advancements in the field of technology.

Also, since ancient times, the country has contributed a lot to the field of science and technology, driving the world forward. Today, on the occasion of National Technology Day, let's have a look at the top five ones among them.

The Concept of Zero

Ancient India's mathematician Aryabhatta brought up the concept of zero, which is still considered one of the greatest inventions ever in history. He invented zero after doing lots of mathematical research for years.

Mathematical operations like addition and subtraction began only after this.

The Decimal System of Numbers

Several mathematicians of ancient India started using the decimal system of numbers.

It is the standard system to denote integer and non-integer numbers. In the system, each symbol receives a value of position and also an absolute value.

It made the entire use of arithmetic faster and more convenient.

The Atomic Theory

Long before John Dalton was born, Indian scientist Kanad designed the atomic theory and came up with the concept of small indestructible particles.

He said that an atom is an indestructible and indivisible particle of matter. He postulated four kinds of atoms; two with mass, and two without mass.

However, his idea differed in many aspects from that of Dalton.

Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery is now widely practiced all over the world. But its origin dates back to ancient India when Sushruta, a revered physician of that time, came up with the concept of reshaping the parts of the human body.

Hailed as the "Father of Plastic Surgery", Sushruta explained the complex techniques of plastic surgery in his book 'Sushruta Samhita'.

Zinc Smelting

Zinc smelting is an advanced technique that refers to the process of converting zinc concentrates into pure zinc.

Many studies have indicated it actually goes back to 12th-century India. There was a technique (derived from ancient alchemy) to extract zinc from the Earth and smelt it to produce for industrial requirements.