History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c38.s1.17

c38.s1.17

As a matter of fact, science in India proceeded in a wrong way with the pursuit of alchemy and occultism, and, in consequence, came to stagnation and decay in the late Middle Ages. For, the same mechanism, it may reasonably be assumed, possibly works in the evolution of human mind, revealed by its civilization and culture, as in the organic evolution, proceeding through the combination of *adaptation, natural selection* and *mutation*. The last named gives a new and fruitful turn to the course of evolution, when it runs into a blind alley, leading either to an extinction or arrest. In the case of mental evolution there is, however, one difference; while in organic evolution the organism itself has no control over the mechanism, acting merely as an instrument, in the case of mental evolution, on the other hand, the mind takes an active part in the process, either co-operating with, or acting in antagonism to, the evolutionary urge or force Hence, the phenomenon of mutation assumes a greater significance in this case. In the mental sphere these mutants arise from the birth of geniuses, saints and seers, who contribute to the progress of human civilization. The condition of science in Europe also was no better in this period (Middle Ages) than what prevailed in India. But the birth of Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, Boyle, Lavoisier and Dalton gave entirely a new turn to its course. Their ideas and thoughts imparted a fresh impetus to it. These could not, however, penetrate India until the advent and consolidation of the British rule towards the middle of the 19th century.