History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c22.1

v1.c22.1

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian Science of Life has its roots in antiquity. The early records about the medical techniques are seen in the Vedas, especially the *Atharvaveda*. But, most of these descriptions are in the form of terse aphorisms randomly scattered throughout the compendiums. In later days during ancient classical period the medical knowledge took a new organised shape and several schools of thought developed. Medical disciplines were developed from the ‘Atreya’ school of thought, which had been contributed by the chief disciples of Atreya, by compiling classics individually. Among these the *Agniveśa tantra* popularly known as *Caraka Saṃhitā* stands as the finest document of the creative period of ancient Indian Medicine with regard to the extent of its contents and to the state of its preservation. *Suśruta Saṃhitā* and *Vāgbhaṭa Saṃhitā* both have contributed much to the conceptual and therapeutic aspects of ancient medicine. In the course of development of the art and science of medicine in ancient India a number of medical techniques were evolved which reflect on the technical skill in this field.