INTRODUCTION

  

The traditions of Indian subcontinent and their critical entry into modernity have given rise to many important issues. What is India? In what sense is India a persistent entity? What power lay concealed in the initial seeds of symbols, vision and experiences that impelled the sprouting and blossoming of intertwined branches of a complex culture? What is Indian culture? And how did it grow and shape multitudinous philosophical and scientific ideas? Is there behind this development a living soul or spirit? Can we somehow grasp it? And can we, by understanding it, replenish ourselves for fresh creativity? These and similar questions occupy the pioneers of the Indian renaissance, and there has been since a growing formulation of the  discovery and rediscovery of India. Today we feel impelled to delve once again much deeper into our roots and their manifestations. This implies fresh study of Indian history, at its subtle and complex levels, - study of the growth of its science and philosophy, not in their isolated and compartmental limit, but in their interconnections as also in the context of a dynamic panorama of multi-dimensional currents of our civilization and culture.

In the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, not only some important monographs but also several encyclopaedias and dictionaries on various themes connected with Indian Philosophy, Indian science and Indian culture were published. But as their shape was very comprehensive, the individual entries turned out to be sketchy or thematically un-integrated. Besides, for understandable reasons, the pioneer works were of uneven character and reliability.

In the post independent India, a number of good books, updated in contents, have been brought out in various Indian languages. Projects undertaken by Institutions like the Ramakrishna Mission, the Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan and Indian National Science Academy have also been significant. Some relevent projects are in the process of production. Most of these works, if not all are primarily concerned with one or two particular branches of knowledge. There is, however, a need to undertake a comprehensive study as well.

The idea of undertaking a comprehensive research project of interdisciplinary study of history of Indian Science, Philosophy and Culture (PHISPC), was initiated by Professor D.P Chattopadhyaya in 1981, when he was the Chairman of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR). This idea was discussed informally with other members of the Council. Many eminent scholars of History, Science, Philosophy and Culture were also consulted. A warm support was received from various quarters. A major effort was accordingly considered necessary to undertake an interdisciplinary study so that interconnections between Science, Philosophy and Culture as they developed in the long history of Indian civilization could be understood.

Professor D.P. Chattopadhyaya discussed the basic idea of the proposed project with the then Prime Minister Srimati Indira Gandhi. At her instance, the Project was also discussed with Professor Nurul Hassan, the then Vice-President of the Council of Scientific and Industrial research (CSIR). Initial lines of collaboration between ICPR and CSIR began to take shape.

In due course, the idea of the project matured further, and the Indian Council of Philosophical Research included  this idea among the programmes for its 8th five year plan. The  proposal of the project was discussed at various meetings of the ICPR as also the meetings held in the Department of Education ,  Ministry of Human Resource Development and the Planning Commission. The proposal was also discussed in the office of the Prime Minister, and there was also a discussion between Professor D. P. Chattopadhyaya and the then Prime Minister, Shri V.P. Singh. With the approval of the Prime Minister's office and the Department of Education, a preparatory Committee was constituted in July 1990, under the Chairmanhip of Professor D. P. Chattopadhyaya. The project has since been approved by the Planning Commission and was included in 8th Five Year Plan.At a late stage, Professor D.P. Chattopadhyaya discussed the project with the then Prime Minister Shri Chandra Shekhar and Shri Mohan Dharia, the then Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission. As a result of these discussions, initial financial assistance was accorded to the project by the Government of India in the Ministry of Human Resource Development and in the Department of Science and Technology during 1990-91. Professor D.P. Chattopadhyaya also discussed with the Prime Minister Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao who welcomed the project very warmly and promised to support it. While various research councils and agencies participated in the planning and execution of the project, the Indian Council of Philosophical Research worked as the nodal agency for the Project till March 1997.

From April 1, 1997, PHISPC was officially de-linked from Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR) for a greater autonomy to complete the Project by the stipulated period, and is now affiliated to Centre for Studies in Civilizations . Government of India has recognized CSC as the nodal agency for the purposes of funding the ongoing research project, PHISPC.