Knowledge systems & sciences

Vijñāna explores mathematics, astronomy, materials, engineering and other knowledge traditions through texts, instruments and practice. How have people reasoned, measured, built and tested ideas?

A calculation, an observatory, a metal object or a water system can open a larger question. This theme also approaches medical traditions as histories of texts and practice, while keeping historical understanding separate from evidence that a treatment works.

Follow materials into Śilpa, questions about knowledge into Darśana, and sound and rhythm into Kalā.

Following the evidence

Specific achievements deserve specific sources: dates, methods and limits matter more than claims of being first. A historical text is evidence of what it records, not proof of a modern scientific or medical claim. Medical coverage provides no treatment advice. See our approach to evidence and attribution.