India, an ancient and culturally rich country, is rarely associated with inventions and technology development compared to other ancient civilizations. However, Indians who lived in the Middle Ages created several things and phenomena that contributed to the progress of mankind.
Middle Ages in India
In India, the Middle Ages began around the 12th century - earlier than in Europe. The previous Buddhist period dates back to antiquity, although features of the early Middle Ages already appear in it, so some historians believe that the ancient stage ended already by the 5th century AD.
In the XII century, the northern part of the country was captured by the Delhi Sultanate, and later almost the entire peninsula became part of the Mughal Empire, and only some southern territories belonged to other kingdoms. The empire lasted until the 18th century - by then a large part of the state was divided between European colonists.
Early middle ages
In the early Middle Ages, such sciences as astronomy, medicine and mathematics continued to develop in India. Prior to European colonization, the Indians were very strong in these fields of knowledge. One of the most important discoveries of this period is a more accurate calculation of the number pi made by the Indian mathematician Arbhata compared to the ancient Greek one. He was the first to suggest that the celestial sphere does not rotate - the illusion is achieved at the expense of the rotation of the Earth.
It is believed that the same Arbhata invented the number 0, which until then was not necessary.
The Indian astronomer Brasharacharya was able to calculate the time during which our planet makes a revolution around the sun.
In medicine, water treatment methods and some complex surgical procedures have been invented. So, it is known that medieval Indian doctors could already remove cataracts, suture internal organs and make craniotomy.
