Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) represent the vast body of indigenous knowledge developed in the Indian subcontinent over thousands of years. These systems span mathematics, astronomy, medicine, metallurgy, architecture, arts, ecology, economics, and governance. India pioneered the decimal system and zero, made major advances in algebra and trigonometry, developed accurate astronomical calculations, and established holistic medical traditions such as Ayurveda. Indian engineers produced advanced steel, sustainable water systems, and climate-responsive architecture.
What distinguishes IKS is its integration of knowledge with ethics and sustainability. Governance and economics emphasized social welfare and moral responsibility, while ecological practices promoted harmony with nature. Arts such as music and dance were systematized with mathematical precision, and education aimed at personal and societal balance. IKS demonstrates that ancient India pursued knowledge not merely for material gain, but for the well-being of individuals, society, and the natural world.