Publisher :National Council of Science Museums, Kolkata
Description :India's tradition in science is not only ancient, but also very extensive and varied. The awareness of plant taxonomy existed in Indian subcontinent from the very beginning in ancient forms when knowledge of science used to be disseminated through the traditional way of oral narration. The seminal works in plant taxonomy can actually be traced back to ancient India.
The study provides specific references to establish the fact that pursuit of plant taxonomy already existed in ancient India. Historic and literary evidences suggest that the science of classification and nomenclature of plant were already present in ancient India. It was the base of different branches of science like Herbal medicine, Anatomy, Physiology)', Agriculture etc.
We have enough literary evidences which suggest that study of plant taxonomy originated in 250-200 BC. Theophrastus and Aristotle are the acknowledged names in this field. But historic evidences pinpoint that Parasara's Vriksayurveda is one of the oldest works on plant taxonomy. Rig-Veda, Manusmriti, Charak Samhita and Susuruta Samhitas substantiate wide culture and understanding of plant taxonomy in ancient India.
These classifications are based on comparative morphology of plants. With this origin, we find that this branch has changed its form. The journey begins from herbs, shrubs, and trees and ends at oil yielding fibres. It started from the natural system, but finally culminated to artificial system and today, its base is phylogenetic or microscopic study. A lot of literary materials on the subject were available in ancient India, but several foreign attacks on India mostly destroyed them, leaving back only a few for our study.
Description :Includes bibliographical references.
Source :National Council of Science Museums
Type :Article
Received From :National Council of Science Museums
DC Field
Value
dc.contributor.author
Gupta, Niranjan
dc.date.accessioned
2017-06-16T05:19:56Z
dc.date.available
2017-06-16T05:19:56Z
dc.description
Includes bibliographical references.
dc.date.issued
2012-07
dc.description.abstract
India's tradition in science is not only ancient, but also very extensive and varied. The awareness of plant taxonomy existed in Indian subcontinent from the very beginning in ancient forms when knowledge of science used to be disseminated through the traditional way of oral narration. The seminal works in plant taxonomy can actually be traced back to ancient India.
The study provides specific references to establish the fact that pursuit of plant taxonomy already existed in ancient India. Historic and literary evidences suggest that the science of classification and nomenclature of plant were already present in ancient India. It was the base of different branches of science like Herbal medicine, Anatomy, Physiology)', Agriculture etc.
We have enough literary evidences which suggest that study of plant taxonomy originated in 250-200 BC. Theophrastus and Aristotle are the acknowledged names in this field. But historic evidences pinpoint that Parasara's Vriksayurveda is one of the oldest works on plant taxonomy. Rig-Veda, Manusmriti, Charak Samhita and Susuruta Samhitas substantiate wide culture and understanding of plant taxonomy in ancient India.
These classifications are based on comparative morphology of plants. With this origin, we find that this branch has changed its form. The journey begins from herbs, shrubs, and trees and ends at oil yielding fibres. It started from the natural system, but finally culminated to artificial system and today, its base is phylogenetic or microscopic study. A lot of literary materials on the subject were available in ancient India, but several foreign attacks on India mostly destroyed them, leaving back only a few for our study.
Government of India
