Traditional Knowledge System in India

Traditional Knowledge Systems or Indigenous Knowledge Systems are a body of knowledge, which is very ancient and deep rooted. They have their origins in the remote past. Their systematisation and canonisation gave rise to the elite (the Greater Tradition) science. We all realise the importance of this ancient knowledge and technology, which incorporates the wisdom distilled through millennia of experimentation and trial and error. The nature of Traditional Knowledge System (TKS) is diverse. It covers, among other things, literary, artistic and scientific works; songs, dances, medical treatments and practices; and agricultural technologies and techniques. There is a dramatically growing national and international interest in incorporating Traditional Knowledge Systems, including Traditional Ecological Knowledge, into truly participatory approaches to development. The international community has sought to recognize and protect TKS only recently. In 1981, WIPO and UNESCO adopted a model law on folklore. In 1989, the concept of Farmers’ Rights was introduced by the FAO into its International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources and in 1992, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) highlighted the need to promote and preserve traditional knowledge. In spite of these efforts, which have spanned two decades, final and universally acceptable solutions for the protection and promotion of traditional knowledge have not yet emerged. The book Traditional Knowledge System in India has been organized around two interrelated themes: the diverse cultural contexts of scientific discovery and invention in ancient and medieval Indian history; and revision of the conventional Euro-centric view of science and its origins. The issues dealt with in the various chapters are an assorted combination of those Traditional Knowledge Systems, whose origins are traced to ancient India. The basic idea of this work is an interdisciplinary and comprehensive exploration of the scientific, philosophical and cultural heritage of India. The book will be useful to all those who wish to know about the Traditional Knowledge System and incorporate it in their pursuits.