Page:The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, vol. 1.djvu/220

 Aryan laws Aryan ideas, Aryan, beliefs, in a far earlier stage of growth and development than any which survive beyond its borders.

Of Indian astronomy the same historian says:


 * The astronomy of the Brahmins has formed alternately the subject of excessive admiration and of misplaced contempt In certain points the Brahmins advanced beyond Greek astronomy. Their fame spread throughout the West, and found entrance into the Chronicon Paschale . In the 8th and 9th centuries the Arabs became their disciples.

I again quote Sir William:


 * In algebra and arithmetic the Brahmins attained a high degree of proficiency independent of Western aid. To them we owe the invention of the numerical symbols on the decimal system The Arabs borrowed these figures from the Hindus, and transmitted them to Europe The works on mathematics and mechanical science, published in the native languages in India in 1867, numbered 89, and in 1882, 166.


 * The medical science of the Brahmins (continues the eminent historian) was also an independent development The specific diseases whose names occur in Panini's grammar indicate that medical studies had made progress before his time (350 ) Arabic medicine was founded on the translations from the Sanskrit treatises European medicine down to the 17th century was based upon the Arabic The number of medical works published in the native languages of India in 1877 amounted to 130, and in 1882 to 212, besides 87 on natural science.

Writing of the art of war, the writer proceeds:


 * The Brahmins regarded not only medicine but also the arts of war music, and architecture as supplementary parts of their divinely inspired knowledge. . . . The Sanskrit epics prove that strategy had attained to the position of a recognized science before the birth of Christ, and the later Agni Purana devotes long sections to its systematic treatment.


 * The Indian art of music was destined to exercise a wider influence This notation passed from the Brahmins through the Persians to Arabia, and was thence introduced into European music by Guido d' Arezzo at the beginning of the 11th century.

On architecture the same author says: