Indian Knowledge Systems

Contributed articles on Intellectual life and Hindu civilization presented at a seminar held in Shimla at 2003.

Contributed articles on Intellectual life and Hindu civilization presented at a seminar held in Shimla at 2003.

This textbook is a culmination of multiple efforts of the authors to fill in the gap for offering a required course on Indian Knowledge System (IKS), recently mandated by AICTE. Moreover, the New Education Policy (NEP) has also provided a clear trajectory for imparting IKS in the higher education curriculum, necessitating a book of this kind in several higher education institutions in the country in the days to come. The book seeks to introduce the epistemology and ontology of IKS to the Engineering and Science students in a way they can relate, appreciate and explore further should there be a keen interest in the matter. After a brief section on the key concepts of IKS, the remaining part of the book traces IKS and brings out the applications. After a formal and concise introduction to IKS, the book provides certain foundational concepts applicable across all domains of Science and Engineering. These form the second part. The Science applications are laid out in Part 3, Engineering applications in Part 4 and other important topics in the final part of the book. The authors have rich expertise and background in both 'mainstream issues' and 'traditional knowledge' to present IKS in a contextually relevant fashion. They have delicately balanced the 'why' or 'how' of IKS and the 'what' of IKS. Although the book has been primarily developed for use by the Engineering institutions, the structure and the contents also address the requirement in other University systems (Liberal Arts, Medicine, Science and Management). This textbook incorporates several pedagogical features including a companion website https://www.phindia.com/ introduction_to_indian_knowledge_system that will make learning effective and enjoyable for the students. TARGET AUDIENCE Students at: • Engineering Institutes • Higher Education Institutes

Bringing together researchers from geographically, culturally, and linguistically diverse regions, Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Research Methodologies offers practical guidance and lessons learned from research projects in and with Indigenous communities around the world. With an aim to examine issues of power, representation, participation, and accountability in studies involving Indigenous populations, the contributors reflect on their own experiences conducting collaborative research in distinct yet related fields. The book is anchored by specific themes: exploring decolonizing methodological paradigms, honoring Indigenous knowledge systems, and growing interdisciplinary collaboration toward Indigenous self-determination. This volume makes a significant contribution to Indigenous community as well as institutional scholarly and practical discussions by emphasizing guidance and questions from Indigenous scholars who are designing studies and conducting research that is moving the field of Indigenous research methodologies forward. Discussing challenges and ideas regarding research ethics, data co-ownership, data sovereignty, and dissemination strategies, this text is a vital resource for all students interested in the application of what can be gained from Indigenous research methods.

This book explores the role of the social and natural sciences in supporting the development of indigenous knowledge systems. It looks at how indigenous knowledge systems can impact on the transformation of knowledge generating institutions such as scientific and higher education institutions on the one hand, and the policy domain on the other.

The story of Indic civilization starts with the pursuit of happiness and the role of sensory-motor experience in it. While probing the source of this joy, ancient Indian ṛṣis delve deep into the laboratories of human existence and discover a new state – one that provides happiness of very large magnitudes. However, this discovery presents a strange conundrum: the sensory joys we are all familiar with, prevent progress into the new treasure house. Humans are unwilling to leave the bird in the hand for the golden bird deep in the cave. How do the ṛṣis respond? The key to the solution emerges from the ṛṣis’ discovery of the laws of cyclicity in nature. Harnessing the tailwinds of prakṛti behind them, the ṛṣis take humanity on a voyage to happiness deep within – the ātma-sukha, without having to forsake indriya sukha. With this as the foundation, ṛṣis develop systematic frameworks brick-by-brick to build the grand edifice that we know today as the Indic civilization. The story of their achievements weaves through grand temples, scholarly universities, vibrant festivals, delightful cuisine, mesmerizing arts, and finally, the civilizational state called bhārata. Its prized scientific and artistic advancements, including yoga, āyurveda, mathematics, astronomy, vedas, purāṇas, itihāsas, kāvyas, śāstras, citra, śilpa alike, are all products of this quest for happiness, rather than a mere passive curiosity about the external world… In the midst of a renaissance in Indic Knowledge Systems & Heritage (IKS&H), we see innumerable sources - both digital and print, providing us with copious information, facts, and trivia on IKS&H. However, a conceptual understanding of the basics is hard to come by. In this book, we present SaMIKSHa - Śrīraṅga Model of Indian Knowledge Systems and Heritage, a systematic framework for understanding the basic building blocks of IKS&H. Join us in this book voyage of 256 pages, 64 chapters, 64 illustrations, and more than 70 curiosity boxes and activities that takes you through a unique educational experience…

This review paper systematically examines the integration of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) into legal education, aiming to decolonize and diversify the legal curriculum in India. The study explores the historical context, theoretical frameworks, benefits, challenges, barriers, and implications of incorporating IKS into legal education. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases such as JSTOR, Google Scholar, PubMed, and SSRN, resulting in the selection of studies published between 1980 and 2023. The findings reveal significant colonial impacts on Indian legal education, leading to the marginalization of IKS. Empirical studies highlight the cultural relevance, justice promotion, and professional competence benefits of IKS integration, while also identifying challenges such as resource scarcity, lack of documentation, and institutional resistance. Key barriers include inadequate faculty training and limited awareness. Proposed solutions involve comprehensive documentation, specialized training programs, interdisciplinary courses, and awareness campaigns. The integration of IKS in legal education promotes a more inclusive and equitable legal system, enhances cultural sensitivity, and fosters higher ethical standards. Recommendations for future research and policy initiatives include conducting interdisciplinary research, increasing funding, fostering collaborations with indigenous communities, using digital platforms, and implementing pilot programs to facilitate successful integration.