The debate on the achievements of ancient India in science and technology continues unabated. There have been assertions, some seemingly outlandish, and counter-assertions. For instance, Union minister of science and technology, Dr Harsh Vardhan's statement that the Pythagoras theorem and algebra were ancient India's contribution was pooh-poohed as stretching the facts. Is it really so? Or, is their something in the contentions? We bring you the contribution of the ancient Indians – the ones acknowledged and beyond reproach. Take a peek! 1. The age of the earth An early metrical work of Hinduism, Manusmriti, calculates the age of the earth as described in two verses where the age of earth is made in reference to the life span of Brahma. (Brahma is revered as the god of creation in Hinduism). Professor Arthur Holmes, a geologist and a professor at the University of Durham writes in his book, The Age of Earth (1913), "Long before it became a scientific aspiration to estimate the age of