Category History

          Sushruta, who lived in the 6th century BC in ancient India, was the first surgeon in the world. He lived on the banks of the Ganga in what is Varanasi today. Sushruta is the author of the book Sushruta Samhita, in which he describes over 120 surgical instruments, 300 surgical procedures and 8 types of surgeries.

          He was the pioneer in plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery, and the technique that he perfected for repairing the nose, is practiced almost unchanged to this day. His book contains the first known description of several operations. Sushruta was also the first surgeon to advocate the practice of operations on inanimate objects such as watermelons and reeds, thus laying the foundation for the modern practice of surgical workshops. He suggested that patients should be kept under sedation with wine, so that they are relaxed during an operation.

          His emphasis on personal cleanliness and sterilization of instruments are followed by surgeons till today. His numerous contributions to the science and art of surgery have given him the title ‘Father of Surgery.’

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          Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine, and the Charaka Samhita is one of the oldest and most important ancient texts on Ayurveda. It is written in Sanskrit, in the form of poetry, as poems are easier to remember than prose.

          The Charaka Samhita has 8 sections and 150 chapters. It describes over 600 drugs that can be obtained from animals, plants and minerals. It also had a code of conduct for doctors. It says, “A doctor must not betray his patients even at the cost of his own life.” Some people believe the Charaka Samhita was written by a group of scholars. Others say that a famous physician called Charaka who lived during the reign of Kanishka, and was one of the founders of Ayurveda, wrote it.

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          Kanishka was the greatest Kushana ruler. He ruled from his capital, Purushapura between AD 78 and 120. He also constructed a city called Kanishkapuram. Kanishka conquered Kashmir. He also defeated the Chinese and the Saka rulers of Malwa and Gujarat. Kanishka was a great patron of medicine. A new school of art called Gandhara art developed during his time. This was inspired by Buddhism, though it has some Greek influence too. Kanishka is thought to have started the Shaka Era, which was later used as the official calendar of India.

          Kanishka worshipped many gods before he embraced Buddhism. Ashvaghosha, the Buddhist scholar, probably influenced Kanishka to become a Buddhist. Like Ashoka, Kanishka also worked for the spread of Buddhism. He took steps to repair many old monasteries. New ones were also built. During his time, Buddhism spread to China, Japan, Central Asia and Tibet. Kanishka is considered as the second Ashoka because of all these activities.

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          The Kushanas ruled over north India from AD 50 to 300. They belonged to the Yueh-chi tribe of China, which moved towards the west. Kujula Kadphises, a Yuch-Chi chief, who established himself in Kabul and Kashmir founded Kushana dynasty. It was one of the remarkable dynasties of ancient India, both culturally and territorially.

          The Kushanas had their capital at Purushapura (Peshawar) and expanded their empire on both sides of Hind Kush, Turkistan in the north and modern Afghanistan. The Kushanas opened the Silk Road, a major trade path for caravans carrying silk and other prominent goods from China to India and the Middle East. They enriched the cultural ethos of India, by linking Central Asian, Chinese, Indian and Persian cultures.

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          The fall of the Mauryan Empire gave birth to a new dynasty in the south called Satavahanas. It was Simukha, who founded this dynasty. It extended from the mouth of the Krishna River to the whole of the Deccan plateau. The Deccan, during their reign, was a hub of inland and maritime trade. The region between the river of Krishna and Godavari was full of ports, and it was throbbing with activity.

          Currency was in vogue to facilitate trade, and this was an era of great industrial and maritime activity. Buddhism flourished throughout the period, and the Satavahana kings constructed several Buddhist Stupas, Chaityas and Viharas. The Stupa at Amravati is known for its architectural beauty. The Satavahana kings ruled for nearly four hundred years. By the end of the 2nd century AD, their rule came to an end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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          Megasthenes was a Greek historian from the kingdom of Ionia. The king Seleucus-I sent him as an ambassador to the court of King Chandragupta Maurya. His report about the culture, history and religion of India was the basis of western knowledge about India.

          Megasthenes described the people of Pataliputra as skilled in the arts, and as having plenty of nourishing food. There were not many thieves, and people often left their houses and property unguarded. He described the people of Pataliputra as uncomplicated in their manners, and as seldom going to court against one another.

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