INDIAN KNOWLEDGE
SYSTEM (IKS)
FYBSc SEMESTER-I 2024-25
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SCOPE OF UNIT – MODULE I
Definition, Importance, Classification and Unique aspects of
IKS
Introduction to Vedas and Vedic life: Distinctive Features,
Veda, Vedanga, Upanishad
Wisdom through Ages: Puranas, Itihasa, Epics and
Subhashitas
Indian Philosophical systems: Its Development and
Distinctive Features.
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BOOK REFERENCES
Kapoor, Kapil, and Singh Avadesh Kumar,
Indian Knowledge System Vol.1, DK Print World,
Ltd., 2005.
Mahadevan B., Bhat V R, Nagendra Pavana
R.N., Indian Knowledge System Concepts and
Application, PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd., 2022.
Penna, Madhusudan. Sanskrit Vagvilas 2nd
Edition, Kavikulguru Kalidas Sanskrit
International University Press. 2013
Chowdhury, K. A. 1971. Botany: Prehistoric
Period: A Concise History of Science in
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India (Eds.) D. M. Bose, S. N. Sen and B.V.
IKS – NEED FOR IT…
Not merely knowing about ancestral knowledge.
Protecting the received wisdom and national pride.
E.g., traditional use of neem as a pesticide in India but patent granted
to a US company for the same! Reason – we Indians were not able to
protect our ancient knowledge..; similar example of use of turmeric for
wound healing.
Patenting of indigenous knowledge by foreign corporations – a cultural
threat to India.
Awareness about natural wealth, national heritage, unique assets of
our country. 4
Example – contribution
of Indians
In making steel;
‘wootz steel’
made by Indians until
17th century,
used to make Damascus
blades;
Attempts made by
various metallurgists
in other countries to
replicate the
properties but in vain! 5
Knowledge
transmission from
ancient to modern..
Guru-sisya system in
Gurukuls where
knowledge was
transferred orally
across generations to
written scriptures on
palm-leaf scripts to
the recent print
media…
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Unless we are aware of
and we preserve the Identit
ancient knowledge, we will
not be able to prevent the y
spill-over of our economic
value arising out of our
ancient knowledge!
Econom Ancient Cultur
Knowledg
ic value e e
Received
wisdom
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IKS – DEFINITION AND SCOPE…
A generic phrase that covers practically everything about India.
India – a country of more than 5000 years old recorded history!
Abundant cultural and archaeological artefacts, literature, social and
community practices, defining what constitutes Indian knowledge –
itself a huge challenge.
Literature, cultural and social practices, historical evidence, and other
such knowledge assets available in multiple Indian languages and
dialects – all technically fall under the ambit of IKS.
Knowledge assets from pre-historic times to current day – all included
under IKS. 8
Components of IKS – 1.
‘Indian’…
Current political formation of India is a
recent origin.
“Indian” points out to undivided Indian
subcontinent of ancient India (Akhanda
Bharata).
Geographical area – Burma in the east
to modern day Afghanistan in the west;
Himalayas in the north to Indian Ocean
in the south.
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Pataliputra
Panini, a Sanskrit Grammarian,
Chanakya could get educated in from Gandhara in north-western
Takshashila in the western part of corner of undivided India (present
the sub-continent and quite day Pakistan) could influence the
instrumental in establishing a thinking of people in entire
powerful Mauryan empire with country using Sanskrit language.
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Pataliputra as capital in eastern
Components of IKS – 2.
Always tacit in nature.
‘Knowledge’
Primarily arises in the form of wisdom of knowledge seekers.
Insights gained by personal situations, problems faced and solutions obtained.
Intense observations of events, experiments, conjecturing and analysis also leads to
gaining knowledge.
Preserved and transmitted through oral tradition in ancient India.
Folklore practices, stories, beliefs, creations, etc. – other means of transmitting
knowledge.
Tacit knowledge transmitted systematically in the form of ‘explicit’ knowledge by
proposing new theory, framework or literary work.
Domains of knowledge – spiritual, religious and current affairs.
Emanates from wisdom and insights arising out of deep experiences, observation,
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Components of IKS – 3. ‘System’
Structured methodology and classification scheme.
Interest, purpose and capacity of the seeker plays a role.
Collection, grouping and logical arrangement of knowledge is
necessary.
Coding and classification of available knowledge.
Use of framework to represent knowledge.
Logical relationship between different parts of the framework to
understand overall contribution and how different components
complement each other. 12
Classification of IKS
Factors upon which usefulness of
classification framework
Completeness
depends
Ensures that all components
of IKS included in the
framework.
Indicates efficacy of grouping of
Compactness
various topics in IKS in a logical
fashion making its
representation simple and
concise.
Brings logical relationships
Inter-connectedness
among various sub-
classifications presenting a
unified picture of entire
knowledge.
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te
ch
14
nol
og
IKS
Vi
y;
dy
ar
ast
chi Literary Non-literary
ha
te Other
Sanata
na Wealth
; na
ct dharmi
ur Region
of
W c religiou Oral Traditions
dharm e; s al
and
or
fin traditi
ks a
other
Buddhis
Cor
of
e
Oth
ons
m,
literatu Art forms; Health;
art re Food & life practices;
e
se er Jainism,
s; availabl Folklore, etc.
ve etc.
e in
ae
ral major
st Indian
rel
he languag
igi
tic es
ou
s;
s
we
lea
lln
de
es
rs
s
an
&
d 14
he
Buddhist and Jain The 8th Schedule of Indian
literature have Constitution has listed 22
languages of the country in
contributed immensely
each of which there is a huge
to IKS right from 500
corpus of sacred and other
BCE.
literature.
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IKS – Various aspects
Consciousness Health &
studies Wellness
Traditional
Astronomy
IKS knowledge in
Mathematics
Ancient Traditional
structures & medicines,
design Preserving Yoga, Vedas
Arts, culture &
Tradition
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