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

Just a thousand years ago, India was dotted with universities across its length and breadth, where international students flocked to gain credentials in advanced education. This illustrated book describes how these multi-disciplinary centers of learning existed in several forms such as forest universities, brick-and-mortar universities and temple universities. It examines the funding for these citadels of learning and their graduation ceremonies. The process by which India’s ancient systems of education helped to fuel a knowledge revolution around the world with its manuscripts, forming the basis for monographs and academic papers, is explained with references. The marauding incursions by Muslim invaders, which disrupted the idyllic world of university learning in India, followed by European colonization, which led to further erosion and degeneration of India’s traditional learning systems, have been taken up in some detail. Readers will get a snapshot view of India's education system down the ages from ancient to modern times.

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

The overarching principle that once integrated India’s institutions is often described by the word ‘dharma’. The notion of dharma goes well beyond what is known as ‘rule of law’. Rule of law is about publicly disclosed legal codes and processes. Dharma, on the other hand, is the holding principle that encompasses the whole of nature, including human nature. Dharma is much more nuanced and yet, paradoxically, more unambiguous than rule of law. The research presented in Globalizing Indian Thought tells us that India will do well to hark back to its ‘sanatana dharma’. The book decodes and deliberates on a few big ideas with the hope to shape India’s story on the world stage. It would be of interest to anyone who wishes to know how we can bring in ideas that are inherently Indian to broaden the discourse on matters of national and international importance.

Exploring Indian Knowledge System: Veda and Life Science explores into the profound and ancient wisdom embedded within the IKS, particularly through the lens of the Vedas. The Vedas, ancient sacred texts, are not merely spiritual guides but encompass a vast range of subjects, including life sciences, health, astronomy, psychology, and mathematics. This book aims to uncover the intricate relationships between these ancient concepts and modern scientific understanding, revealing the relevance of Vedic knowledge to contemporary issues like sustainability, human consciousness, and holistic health. The Vedic texts provide insights into the interconnectedness of all life forms, with emphasis on ecological balance, sustainable living, and the intricate web of natural forces governing life. Ayurveda, for instance, is an ancient life science derived from the Vedas, which emphasizes the importance of balance—between body, mind, and environment—long before the advent of modern biology or medical science.

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.