Botanical Science and Economic Growth (Volume 1)

The scientific heritage of India has not been fully revealed and its contribution to the development of various stages of Indian civilization is yet to be adequately analysed by the modern generation of historians engaged in writing on the past of the country. Science and technology change the face of the economic spirit of the existing society influencing other aspects of cultural growth. Botanical science and technology and their origin and growth in India have been presented and analysed from this viewpoint in the present volume. This study is primarily based on Sanskrit sources, and Vrksayurveda of Surapala has been exhaustively used for the first time, besides Manasollasa of Somesvara and Upavanavinoda of the Sarngadhara-paddhati. It deals not only with the problems of the trees but also with various vegetables and flowers and throws much light on the art of gardening developed in ancient India. It discusses the meaning and concept of science and its relation to economic planning and development on the one hand and tries to trace the economic growth in ancient India on the other. It is hoped that this modest attempt would give a new direction to the students of history in making a new and dynamic assessment of the past.