Ancient Scientists — Set 2
Inventions · प्राचीन वैज्ञानिक · Questions 11–20 of 50
The ancient text 'Vrikshayurveda', which discusses plant science and agriculture, is attributed to?
Correct Answer: D. Surapala
• **Surapala** = The ancient text 'Vrikshayurveda', discussing plant science and agriculture, is attributed to Surapala. • **plant diseases** — Surapala's work specifically covers plant diseases, showing a deep agricultural understanding. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Sushruta: Author of 'Sushruta Samhita', primarily focused on surgery; Vagbhata: A medical writer who composed 'Ashtanga Hrudayam', a summary of earlier Ayurvedic texts; Charaka: Author of 'Charaka Samhita', a foundational text on human medicine (Ayurveda), not plant medicine.
Who among the following was a renowned ancient Indian chemist and alchemist who wrote 'Rasaratna Samuccaya'?
Correct Answer: B. Nagarjuna
• **Nagarjuna** = Nagarjuna was a renowned ancient Indian chemist and alchemist who wrote 'Rasaratna Samuccaya'. • **'Father of Indian Chemistry'** — Nagarjuna is often referred to as the 'Father of Indian Chemistry' for his work. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Varahamihira: Primarily an astronomer and astrologer, not known for chemistry or alchemy; Bhaskara II: A mathematician and astronomer, author of 'Lilavati', not 'Rasaratna Samuccaya'; Kanada: Philosopher who proposed the atomic theory, founder of the Vaisheshika school, not known for chemistry texts.
Which ancient Indian text is considered the earliest work on grammar and linguistics, influencing computer science logic today?
Correct Answer: C. Ashtadhyayi
• **Ashtadhyayi** = The 'Ashtadhyayi' is considered the earliest work on grammar and linguistics, authored by Panini. • **Panini** — Panini authored the Ashtadhyayi, providing a comprehensive analysis of Sanskrit grammar. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Manusmriti: An ancient legal text and dharma-shastra, not a work on grammar or linguistics; Kamasutra: A treatise on human sexual behavior, not related to grammar; Arthashastra: A treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy, not on linguistics.
The concept of 'Karanasiddhi', a work on astronomical calculations, was produced by which scientist?
Correct Answer: B. Bhaskara II
• **Bhaskara II** = The concept of 'Karanasiddhi', a work on astronomical calculations, was produced by Bhaskara II. • **Ujjain** — He was the head of the astronomical observatory in Ujjain, a center for advanced astronomy. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Aryabhata: Author of 'Aryabhatiya', which included astronomical calculations, but not specifically 'Karanasiddhi'; Mallikarjuna Suri: A 16th-century mathematician who wrote on astronomy, but 'Karanasiddhi' is attributed to Bhaskara II; Brahmagupta: Known for 'Brahmasphutasiddhanta' which included astronomy, but 'Karanasiddhi' is not his work.
Who wrote the 'Vedanga Jyotisha', the earliest known formal text on Indian astronomy?
Correct Answer: C. Lagadha
• **Lagadha** = Lagadha wrote the 'Vedanga Jyotisha', which is considered the earliest known formal text on Indian astronomy. • **Vedic period** — Lagadha lived during the late Vedic period, indicating the ancient origin of this text. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Pingala: Author of 'Chhandas Shastra', known for binary numeral system and prosody; Garga: An ancient astronomer and astrologer, but 'Vedanga Jyotisha' is attributed to Lagadha; Aryabhata: Author of 'Aryabhatiya', a much later and more advanced astronomical text than 'Vedanga Jyotisha'.
The ancient mathematician Mahaviracharya, who wrote the 'Ganita Sara Samgraha', belonged to which religious tradition?
Correct Answer: A. Jain
• **Jain** = Mahaviracharya, author of 'Ganita Sara Samgraha', belonged to the Jain religious tradition. • **9th century** — Mahaviracharya was a mathematician from this period who authored a foundational text on mathematics. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Buddhist]: A distinct religious tradition with different philosophical schools, not associated with Mahaviracharya's mathematical works; [Sikh]: A monotheistic religion founded in the 15th century, much later than Mahaviracharya; [Hindu]: While many ancient Indian scholars were Hindu, Mahaviracharya's lineage is specifically tied to Jainism.
Which ancient Indian scientist discussed the concept of gravity long before Newton, describing it as an inherent attraction by the Earth?
Correct Answer: B. Bhaskara II
• **Bhaskara II** = He described Earth's inherent attraction, using 'Gurutvakarshan', long before Newton's theory of universal gravitation. • **12th century** — The period when Bhaskara II wrote about Earth's gravitational force, centuries before Western discoveries. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Aryabhata]: Famous for zero and decimal system, but his works don't primarily focus on gravity in this manner; [Varahamihira]: Known for astronomy and astrology, but not specifically for pre-Newtonian concepts of gravity; [Brahmagupta]: Made contributions to mathematics, including rules for zero and negative numbers, but not known for gravity concepts like Bhaskara II.
The 'Ashtanga Hridaya', a concise version of Ayurvedic knowledge, was composed by?
Correct Answer: A. Vagbhata
• **Vagbhata** = He composed the 'Ashtanga Hridaya', a concise and influential Ayurvedic text that synthesized earlier medical knowledge. • **'Big Three'** — The 'Ashtanga Hridaya' is considered one of the three foundational texts of Ayurvedic literature. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Charaka]: Author of 'Charaka Samhita', focused on internal medicine, whose knowledge was integrated by Vagbhata; [Sushruta]: Author of 'Sushruta Samhita', known for surgical knowledge, which Vagbhata also synthesized; [Madhav]: Author of 'Madhavanidana', a significant text on diagnosis, but not the 'Ashtanga Hridaya'.
Which ancient Indian work provides detailed instructions on the smelting and forging of metals, including the famous Wootz steel?
Correct Answer: B. Rasaratnakara
• **Rasaratnakara** = This text by Nagarjuna is a significant work on alchemy and metallurgy, detailing processes like those for Wootz steel. • **Delhi's Iron Pillar** — A historical artifact that serves as tangible evidence of ancient India's advanced metallurgical skills. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Kutapa]: This is not a widely recognized ancient Indian text on metallurgy; [Rigveda]: An ancient collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns, primarily religious, not a technical manual on metallurgy; [Arthashastra]: While it mentions mining and state control of resources, its primary focus is political science and economics, not detailed metallurgical instructions.
Who is the author of 'Surya Siddhanta', a highly influential Sanskrit treatise on Indian astronomy?
Correct Answer: B. Unknown
• **Unknown** = The 'Surya Siddhanta', an influential Sanskrit treatise on astronomy, is traditionally attributed to divine origin, and its original author is not definitively known. • **Centuries** — This text served as a standard reference for calendrical calculations and astronomical observations for a very long period. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Aryabhata]: Author of 'Aryabhatiya', another major astronomical text, but not the 'Surya Siddhanta'; [Bhaskara I]: A commentator on Aryabhata's work, but not the author of 'Surya Siddhanta'; [Varahamihira]: An astronomer who revised parts of the 'Surya Siddhanta' but did not originally author it.