Philosophical, Historical, Sociological, and Psychological Perspectives of The Indian Knowledge System (IKS)

Abstract

The Indian Knowledge System represents a diverse and continuously evolving body of knowledge developed through India’s philosophical traditions, scientific inquiries, social institutions, artistic practices, ecological experiences, and spiritual disciplines. It cannot be understood merely as a collection of ancient texts or religious beliefs. It includes textual and oral traditions, community practices, systems of medicine, mathematics, logic, language, agriculture, architecture, environmental knowledge, yoga, meditation, governance, ethics, and artistic expression. This article examines the Indian Knowledge System through four interconnected perspectives: philosophical, historical, sociological, and psychological. The philosophical perspective highlights Indian theories of knowledge, reality, ethics, consciousness, and human purpose. The historical perspective traces the development and transmission of knowledge through educational institutions, monasteries, families, guilds, communities, and classical centres such as Nalanda. The sociological perspective examines the relationship between knowledge, culture, social identity, occupations, power, inclusion, and inequality. The psychological perspective considers Indian understandings of mind, behaviour, emotion, self-regulation, well-being, yoga, and meditation. The article argues that the contemporary study of IKS must be evidence-based, inclusive, critical, and interdisciplinary. Its educational integration should encourage intellectual inquiry rather than uncritical glorification, while recognizing both the achievements and limitations of historical traditions.