Indian Knowledge System(IKS): Concepts and Applications in Engineering

By Prof. B. Mahadevan, Dr. Vinayak Rajat Bhat, Dr. R Venkata Raghavan | Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), Chanakya University, Bangalore

Learners enrolled: 6223

In the vast realm of engineering education, where theories and equations intertwine, the roots of knowledge extend deep into the ancient soils of India. Needless to say, India is a nation with a long civilizational history with recorded history, cultural artifacts, and evidence pointing to more than five millennia of existence. Not surprisingly, such a society would have discovered enormous knowledge cutting across various dimensions of human life and existence.

Today, though India is known for its achievement in Yoga and other spiritual studies, it has made enormous progress in the material life as well. From metallurgy to civil engineering, pre-modern Indians can boast of tremendous achievements. The fact that many of their engineering marvels have survived the test of time is a testament to their knowledge and skill. Such achievements also assume significant advances in certain basic sciences like Mathematics.

Summary

Course Status :	Completed
Course Type :	Core
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	10 weeks
Category :	Management Studies
Credit Points :	4
Level :	Postgraduate
Start Date :	31 Jul 2023
End Date :	31 Oct 2023
Enrollment Ends :	09 Sep 2023
Exam Date :	01 Dec 2023 IST

Note: This exam date is subject to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.

Page Visits

Course layout

Week 0: Welcome to the course

Week 1: Indian Knowledge System – An Introduction

Week 2: The Vedic Corpus

Week 3: Number System and Units of Measurements

Week 4: Mathematics

Week 5: Astronomy

Week 6: Engineering and Technology: Metals and Metalworking

Week 7: Engineering and Technology: Other Applications

Week 8: Town Planning and Architecture

Week 9: Knowledge Framework and Classification

Week 10: Linguistics

Click here for Syllabus

Books and references

Mahadevan, B., Bhat Vinayak Rajat, Nagendra Pavana R.N. (2022), “Introduction to Indian Knowledge System: Concepts and Applications”, PHI Learning Private Ltd. Delhi.

Additional Readings:

Pride of India: A Glimpse into India’s Scientific Heritage, Samskrita Bharati, New Delhi.
Sampad and Vijay (2011). “The Wonder that is Sanskrit”, Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry.
Bag, A.K. (1979). Mathematics in Ancient and Medieval India, Chaukhamba Orientalia, New Delhi.
Datta, B. and Singh, A.N. (1962). History of Hindu Mathematics: Parts I and II, Asia Publishing House, Mumbai.
Kak, S.C. (1987). “On Astronomy in Ancient India”, Indian Journal of History of Science, 22(3), pp. 205–221.
Subbarayappa, B.V. and Sarma, K.V. (1985). Indian Astronomy: A Source Book, Nehru Centre, Mumbai.
Bag, A.K. (1997). History of Technology in India, Vol. I, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi.
Acarya, P.K. (1996). Indian Architecture, Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers, New Delhi.
Banerjea, P. (1916). Public Administration in Ancient India, Macmillan, London.
Kapoor Kapil, Singh Avadhesh (2021). “Indian Knowledge Systems Vol – I & II”, ‎ Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla, H.P.

Instructor bio

Prof. B. Mahadevan

Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB)

B. MAHADEVAN, PhD (IIT Madras), is a Professor at IIM Bangalore. As founding Vice-Chancellor of Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth (University for Sanskrit and Indic Tradition), he created a new generation of academic programs in the higher education space that seamlessly blends Ancient Indian Knowledge traditions with Contemporary Knowledge Systems.

Dr. Vinayak Rajat Bhat

Chanakya University, Bangalore

VINAYAK RAJAT BHAT, PhD, is Professor at Centre of IKS, Chanakya Associate University, Bangalore. He has been teaching courses in Indic Knowledge Systems, Vyākaraṇa, Āyurveda, Arthaśāstra for more than eleven years, Dr. Bhat has been honored with Abhijñā, Kovida and Cūḍāmaṇi in Vyākaraṇa.

Dr. R Venkata Raghavan

R VENKATA RAGHAVAN, PhD (UoH), is Assistant Professor at School of Humanities, Social Sciences & Management, IIT Bhubaneswar. He has been teaching courses in different areas of Indian Knowledge Traditions Such as Darśana, Indian Science and Itihāsas as well as courses on Logic and Critical Thinking for over six years.

Course certificate

Enrolling and learning from the course is free. However, if you wish to obtain a certificate, you must register and take the proctored exam in person at one of the designated exam centre’s. The registration URL will be announced when the registration form is open. To obtain the certification, you need to fill out the online registration form and pay the exam fee. More details will be provided when the exam registration form is published, including any potential changes. For further information on the exam locations and the conditions associated with filling out the form, please refer to the form.

Grading Policy:

Assessment Type	Weightage
Mid-Term & End-Term	25%
Final Exam	75%

Certificate Eligibility:

40% marks and above in Mid Term & End Term
40% marks and above in the final proctored exam

Score	Type of Certificate
>=90	Gold
75 - 89	Silver
70 - 74	Bronze
40 - 70	Successfully Completed
<40	No Certificate

Sample Certificate:

Disclaimer: In order to be eligible for the certificate, you must register for enrolment and exams using the same email ID. If different email IDs are used, you will not be considered eligible for the certificate.