Indian Cultural Knowledge Systems

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About the Book Over the ages, various cultures and civilisations have taken shape. At the core of the civilisation is its culture; and the base of the culture is what has been understood or assumed (without understanding) about the existential reality i.e. truth, love and compassion. A civilisation is the expression of a culture in the form of behaviour and societal system. In order to share our understanding, feelings and thoughts, various means of communication have been used such as -language, literature, song, dance, drama, painting, sculpture. To materialise this culture in terms of behaviour and system, different forms have been developed such as science, technology, architecture, modes of production, transportation, exchange, modes of education. A knowledge system which ensures right understanding and clarity of living in harmony at all levels of human existence can be called a holistic and humane knowledge system Many cultures and civilisations over millennia have tried to evolve such knowledge systems. India has continuous and cumulative intellectual traditions and this book endeavours to expound the major Indian Knowledge Systems. 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 cultural Knowledge System and incorporate it in their pursuits.

About the Author Maitreya Patel is an esteemed educator and cultural scholar focusing on Indian knowledge systems. His scholarly endeavors explore traditional knowledge, cultural practices, and their integration into contemporary educational frameworks. Patel's commitment to cultural sustainability and heritage preservation is evident in his research contributions and educational initiatives aimed at fostering cultural awareness and appreciation.

Preface Culture and knowledge systems are important for community development. Culture characterizes us as human-beings and members of a community. Traditional knowledge systems and cultural expressions exist in the forms of culture, stories, legends, folklore, rituals, songs, and laws, languages, song lines, dance, games, mythology, designs, visual art and architecture. Tribal knowledge systems, distinct from mainstream counterparts, reflect an intimate connection to nature, emphasizing sustainability. Rooted in oral traditions, they prioritize communal harmony and holistic understanding. Unlike mainstream systems, tribal knowledge often lacks written documentation, relying on experiential learning. This uniqueness underscores the resilience and relevance of indigenous wisdom in preserving ecosystems and fostering cultural continuity. The Indian Knowledge Systems comprise of Jnan, Vignan, and Jeevan Darshan that have evolved out of experience, observation, experimentation, and rigorous analysis. This tradition of validating and putting into practice has impacted our education, arts, administration, law, justice, health, manufacturing, and commerce. Traditional knowledge (TK), indigenous knowledge (IK), folk knowledge, and local knowledge generally refer to knowledge systems embedded in the cultural traditions of regional, indigenous, or local communities.

Introduction Knowledge is a familiarity, awareness, or understanding of someone or something, such as facts, information, descriptions, or skills, which is acquired through experience or education by perceiving, discovering. or learning.

Knowledge can refer to a theoretical or practical understanding of a subject. It can be implicit (as with practical skill or expertise) or explicit (as with the theoretical understanding of a subject); it can be more or less formal or systematic. In philosophy, the study of knowledge is called epistemology; the philosopher Plato famously defined knowledge as "justified true belief", though this definition is now thought by some analytic philosophers to be problematic because of the Gettier problems while others defend the platonic definition. However, several definitions of knowledge and theories to explain it exist.