What Can We Learn from Ancient Indian Civilization?
The world as we see it today has not come into being with a single stroke of luck or big bang. Instead, it is a complex evolution of society that has evolved over thousands of years by trial and error, learning, and unlearning. Civilization is here today, a sum total of all past experiences. Our existence traces back to the ancient, successful, and thriving civilizations that are the foundation of the current society.
With time technology and material elements may change but human needs are the same
As we trace the history of civilization, we will notice that human needs have not changed; technology may have changed, and nature may have changed. But, human needs and aspirations tend to remain the same over time. Many of the things that we take for granted have originated from ancient civilizations including many of the basic values, morals, and ethics. The modern world owes a lot to the ancient civilizations from which we can draw inspiration to move into the future in a sensible and healthy manner. Also, we can learn and avoid the mistakes which took down thriving and evolved civilizations in the past.
Indus valley civilization – monumental evidence of advancement in ancient India
The Indus Valley civilization, as we know, is one of the oldest civilizations which laid the foundation for modern urban culture. The cities of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa are evidence that the people lived such an organized life some 8000 years ago. They had all sorts of facilities and a fantastic system running the cities. People learned and thrived during those ages, and there was scientific advancement and architectural development that matches the prowess of the modern world. We know they had an organized city structure which can be followed even today. Modern architects and scientists can draw inspiration from them.
The disappearance of the Indus Valley civilization – lessons on protecting nature
Today, the reason for the disappearance of the Indus Valley civilization is confirmed to be weather change with the change in monsoon rains that caused the drying up of the rivers. Forced the civilization to find another area that could support civilization and the civilization moved to the Gangetic plains. This weather change must have had a severe impact on the psyche of the people – no wonder the ancient Indian traditions have high respect for maintaining the balance in nature. This is very relevant for today’s global civilization that is facing the challenges of global warming, weather change, and rapid deforestation.
Across the world, ancient civilizations achieved spectacularly
The same stands true for the Mesopotamian civilization of the western Asia region. It was a conglomeration of 4 important civilizations, including Assyrian, Akkadian, Sumerian and Babylonian civilizations that flourished in the past. Similarly, across the world, there are many ancient civilizations – which are obvious from the many relics and monuments. India remains a bit different because it represents the oldest living civilization – while other civilizations have perished and got replaced with new ones with different values and frameworks. India has changed but survived retaining many of its ancient elements.
Many of the foundations of society and civilization have ancient origins
Evidence points out that there was the use of technology, legal frameworks, scientific exploration, languages and grammar, and a huge variety of arts, sciences, and fields of study. In ancient India, some universities are more than 2500 years old. It was a thriving time for literature, religion, commerce, agriculture, medicine, and arts. These civilizations paved the way for us to enhance human learning and the use of knowledge for the betterment of the entire world. There are many things that the ancient Indian civilization taught the world – not only practical things like numeric system, astronomy, medicine, and legal system. But also finer elements of life – music, arts, philosophy, and spirituality.
Ancient Indian civilization – holistic thinking and commitment to eternal principles
Probably, one thing that stands out is the ability of ancient Indian society to think holistically and in an integrated manner. Especially thinking about the benefit of every member of society in a just manner so that civilization can continue to exist. Great philosophers from India have thought of society, spirituality, and philosophy without neglecting the basic human aspirations that need to be satisfied. It may not be an accident that India is the oldest living civilization that still exists – it may have to do with its ability to not compromise on the eternal principles that ensure continuity of civilization.
Knowing about ancient civilizations helps us remain humble and grounded
Knowing about the past civilizations gives a sense of our roots; where did we come from? How were our ancestors? How did they live their lives? What kind of work do they do? It makes us proud and connects us to our roots. It provides a sense of belonging. We are just taking forward whatever they made us learn from their ancient writings. Our way of life and the manner we live today is based on the practices built several thousand years ago. We in modern civilization are reaping the benefits of the work done by our ancestors.