UPSC CSE Pre 1993

Ancient Indian Scholarship

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Who among the following is not associated with medicine in ancient India?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept Ancient Indian scholarship was highly specialized, with distinct figures leading the fields of medicine (Ayurveda) and mathematical sciences.

Explanation Bhaskaracharya (Bhaskara II) was a 12th-century mathematician and astronomer, author of the *Siddhanta Shiromani*. He is famous for works on algebra and calculus, not medicine.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Dhanvantari is the mythological god of medicine/Ayurveda.
Logic 2: Charaka is the author of *Charaka Samhita*, a foundational text on internal medicine.
Logic 3: Susruta is known for the *Susruta Samhita*, the pioneering text on surgery.
Logic 4: Bhaskaracharya’s work (*Lilavati*, *Bijaganita*) focused on arithmetic, algebra, and planetary mathematics.

Active Recall

Question

What is Bhaskaracharya's most famous mathematical treatise?

Answer

His most famous work is the Siddhanta Shiromani, which is divided into four parts including Lilavati and Bijaganita.

Core Insight

The confusion between these figures often arises from the vast and overlapping timeline of ancient Indian contributions to global science.