Introduction to Indian Knowledge System

By Prof. Nandini Sinha Kapur | Indira Gandhi National Open University

Learners enrolled: 684

Indian Knowledge System (IKS) is at the heart of NEP 2020. NEP recommends the integration of IKS into the curriculum in education at different levels. The syllabus of ‘Introduction to Indian Knowledge System’ is largely based on the UGC NET/JRF syllabus. The Indian Knowledge traditions include all of the classical and systematized disciplines of knowledge that India has had since ancient times, as well as all of the customs and practices that India’s many communities, including its tribal communities, have developed, enhanced, and maintained over generations. Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) spans over fields like philosophy, science, and technology, and plays a vital role by providing a unique perspective and all-encompassing answers to contemporary problems. The range of IKS is extensive, from ancient practices to modern uses, and its significance lies in the fusion of traditional wisdom with contemporary understanding to address societal issues.

Summary

Course Status :	Upcoming
Course Type :	Not Applicable
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	12 weeks
Category :	Multidisciplinary
Credit Points :	4
Level :	Certificate
Start Date :	15 Jul 2025
End Date :	15 Nov 2025
Enrollment Ends :	15 Sep 2025
Exam Date :

Page Visits

Course layout

Week Number	Title of the Video
1.	Bhārtiya Darśana (Indian Philosophy) - 1. Four Veda-s: ṛgveda, yajurveda, sāmaveda, Atharvaveda 2. Vedāng 3. Phonetics and grammar
2.	Āstika Nāstika Darśana and Gurukūla System (Indian Philosophical Traditions and Ancient Indian Education System - 4. Nāstika darśana: Cārvāka, Jainism and Buddhism 5. Āstika darśana-I: Nyāya-vaiśēṣika, Sāṁkhya and Yoga 6. Āstika darśana-II: Pūrvamīmāṁsā and Uttaramīmāṁsā (Vēdānta) 7. Ancient Indian gurukula System
3.	Epistemology and Purusarthas – 8. Tarkaśāstra: Pramāņa-s, Pratyakșa, Anumāna, Upamana, Śabda, Arthapatti, and anuplabdhi 9. Powers of words: Abhidhā, Lakṣaṇā, Vyañjanā, Tātparya 10. Four puruṣārthas: Dharma, Artha, Kāma, Mokṣa 11. Definitions of each of the puruṣārth-s, Definitions and meanings from various texts
4.	Ancient Indian Texts: Epics, Statecraft and IKS Texts – 12. Mahābhārata: Mahābhārata as a storehouse of knowledge 13. Arthaśāstra: Arthaśāstra, its significance and broad introduction to subjects dealt in arthaśāstra 14. Society and people: Ways as advocated in IKS texts for happiness and well-being of all
5.	Astronomy, Health and Wellbeing- 15. Divisions of time in Veda 16. Pañcāṅga: The five elements of the calendar 17. Solar Calendar, Vikramasaṃvat and Śālivāhana-saṃvat – National Calendar (rāṣṭrīya dinadarśikā) 18. Yōga, Folk and Tribal Medical Practices
6.	Ancient Indian Architecture- 19. Indus Valley civilisation: Urban planning – Dholavira 20. Brief knowledge of Ancient and medieval structures of India 21. Ancient and medieval Indian Water storage and harvesting systems
7.	Ancient Indian Mathematics- 22. Geometry in Śulbasūtras 23. Numbers in Veda 24. Three different systems of numerations: Āryabhaṭan, Bhūtasaṅkhyā and Kaṭapayādi Systems 25. Application of Vedic Mathematics in Science and Technology
8.	Science and Technology in Indian Knowledge Systems- 26. Chemistry in medical schools of ancient India 27. Glimpses from Ancient Indian science and technology
9.	Agricultural Practices, Sustainability and Ayurveda- 28. Agriculture in ancient India 29. Sacred groves 30. Āyurvedika medicine herbs, trees and plants
10.	IKS and Kalā (Art)- 31. Introduction to Bharata Muni’s Nāṭyaśāstra & Abhinaya Darpaṇa 32. Description of Navarasā 33. An account of the eight classical dances of India 34. Introduction to the term folk, tribal, and modern art forms of India
11.	Influence of IKS-I 35. IKS Influence on modern Western Thinkers 36. Influence of Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata on paintings, theatre, and dance of Southeast Asia 37. Influence of Hindu deities: Brahma, Viṣṇu, Śivā, Durga, Sarasvatī, Gaṇēśa, Rāma, Garuḍ, Nāgā etc.
12.	Influence of IKS-II 38. Trade and Cultural Contact between India, Mediterranean and West Asia 39. Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Chola’s influence in Sri Lanka 40. The impact of yoga on the World: Philosophers who left an impact on the West – Swami Vivekananda, Paramahansa Yogananda, Sri Aurobindo, Swami Sivananda, BKS Iyengar

Instructor bio

Prof. Nandini Sinha Kapur

Indira Gandhi National Open University

Prof. Nandini Sinha Kapur is a Professor in the School of Interdisciplinary and Trans-disciplinary Studies, IGNOU. She has a PhD in Ancient and Early Medieval Indian History. She has three published books in Indian History and many Research articles in referred journals. She has many awards and honours

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