Sushruta, an ancient Indian physician from around the 6th century BCE, is celebrated as the “Father of Surgery”. He is the author of the Sushruta Samhita, one of Ayurveda’s foundational texts, which details over 300 surgical procedures and 120 surgical instruments.
Sushruta described techniques for plastic surgery (including rhinoplasty), cataract removal, fracture management, caesarean delivery, and wound care. His approach emphasized hygiene, anesthesia using herbal sedatives, and post-operative care.
Beyond surgery, Sushruta advocated a holistic view of health, stressing diet, exercise, and balance of doshas for recovery and prevention. His work laid the foundation for many modern surgical principles and is still respected worldwide as a milestone in medical history.
Surgical Innovations
Rhinoplasty (Nose Reconstruction) – Using a flap of skin from the forehead to reconstruct the nose, a technique still used today (modern plastic surgeons call it the “Indian method”).
Cataract Surgery – Early method of removing cataracts by couching the lens.
Lithotomy – Removing bladder stones.
Fracture and Dislocation Management – Splints, traction, and bandaging techniques.
Burn Treatment – Herbal pastes and antiseptics for healing.
Medical Training
Sushruta insisted that surgical students practice first on fruits, vegetables, and animal parts before operating on humans.
Emphasized sterilization of instruments and the surgeon’s cleanliness – concepts far ahead of his time.
Yes, true. But sadly, our books don’t really teach us about all this. We don’t even realise how much knowledge our ancestors had. As Indians, we often ignore our own history, so how can we expect others to value it? Sushruta, Charaka they did so much for medicine, and we barely talk about them. It feels like we’re forgetting our own roots.
Sushruta’s work truly shows how advanced ancient Indian medicine was. It’s amazing that he practiced surgeries like rhinoplasty and cataract removal so long ago. His focus on hygiene and training students carefully proves he cared deeply about patient safety. Using herbal anesthesia and teaching with fruits and animals shows smart thinking for that time. I feel proud knowing such knowledge came from India. His ideas still help doctors today, which is really inspiring.
Sushruta was so ahead of his time. He did so many types of surgeries and even used herbal medicines for pain and healing. It’s amazing that he made students practice on fruits and animals before doing real surgery. His ideas about hygiene, tools, and patient care are still useful today. Proud to know that such smart things were done in India so long ago!
Sushruta’s work is a reminder that India’s medical heritage was centuries ahead of its time.
What inspires me most is not just his surgical skill, but his emphasis on training, hygiene, and patient care, the values that are just as important in modern medicine.
Despite the immense contributions made, Sushruta’s name is often absent from global surgical history because the narrative of medical progress has historically been shaped mostly by Eurocentric perspectives. The original Sanskrit texts were also largely inaccessible to the West until translations appeared in the 19th century, and by then, modern surgery had already been credited to the European advancements. To ensure Sushruta’s legacy is not lost, his contributions should be integrated into both modern medical and surgical history curricula worldwide apart from the ayurveda curriculum. Museums, medical conferences, and public exhibitions can highlight his techniques, showing how ancient Indian surgery influenced/paralleled later global developments.
