INDIA’S HERITAGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. — Social Science STD 10 — Question
Gujarat BoardEnglish MediumSTD 10Social ScienceINDIA’S HERITAGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.4 Marks
Question
Explain India’s progress in the fields of Metallurgy and Chemistry.
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Answer
Metallurgy:
Ancient India made extraordinary progress in the field of metallurgy.
A metallic idol of a female dancer discovered at Harappa reveals the high standard of metallurgy achieved by ancient India.
Statues of Buddha belonging to the Kushan period have been found at Takshashila.
In South India, during the Chola period, numerous metal idols were made. The statue of Nataraj, a masterpiece in sculpture is famous all over the world and well-known metal.
Idol ‘Ram-the Archer’ are preserved in the museum at Chennai.
Besides idols of Gods and Goddesses, many metallic models of birds and animals and instruments of daily use like betel nut crackers are also found.
Chemistry:
Ancient India achieved great heights in the field of chemistry.
Acharya Nagarjuna, a learned Buddhist of Nalanda University advocated the use of alopathy along with herbal medicines.
It is believed that he started the use of mercury ash as a medicine.
In the $7th$ century, iron and arsenic were also used as medicine.
Nalanda University had its own school of Chemistry and furnace for study and research.
The copper statues of Buddha reflect an expertise in the knowledge and skill in Chemistry.
The copper statue of Buddha at Sultanjung in Bhagalpur district of Bihar is $7.5$ feet high and weighs one tonne. The statue of Buddha at Nalanda is $18$ feet high.
The $24$ feet high Iron Pillar built by Chandragupta II at Delhi has not corroded in spite of nature’s fury over centuries and is a Fine example of the art of Chemistry in India.
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