The Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Pre-Colonial Indian Medicine and Healing Practices

Abstract

This research article examines the rich tradition of indigenous medical knowledge in pre-colonial India, exploring how various healing systems developed, evolved, and were transmitted across generations. The study investigates the philosophical underpinnings of Ayurveda, Siddha, and folk medicine traditions, analyzing their holistic approaches to health and healing. By examining primary texts, archaeological evidence, and cultural practices, this article demonstrates how indigenous knowledge systems were deeply embedded in local ecologies and social structures. The research highlights the sophisticated understanding of pharmacology, diagnostic methods, and preventive healthcare that existed in pre-colonial India, challenging Eurocentric narratives that have historically diminished the scientific validity of these traditions. This study contributes to a growing body of scholarship that recognizes the historical significance and continued relevance of indigenous knowledge in global medical history.