Simputer: The Simputer
(acronym for "simple, inexpensive and multilingual people's computer") is a
self-contained, open hardware handheld computer,
designed for use in environments where computing devices such as personal
computers are deemed inappropriate. It was developed in 1999 by 7 scientists of
the Indian Institute of Science,
Bangalore, led by Dr.
Swami Manohar in collaboration with Encore India, a company based in Bangalore.[69][70] Originally
envisaged to bring internet to the masses of India, the Simputer and its
derivatives are today widely utilized by governments of several Indian
states as part of their e-governance drive, the Indian Army, as well as by other public and private
organizations.[71][72]
Snakes and ladders: Snakes and ladders
originated in India as a game based on morality.[73] During
British rule of India, this game made its way to England, and was eventually
introduced in the United States of America by game-pioneer Milton Bradley in
1943.[73]
Stepwell: Earliest clear
evidence of the origins of the stepwell is found in the Indus Valley
Civilization's archaeological site at Mohenjodaro in Pakistan.[74]
The three features of stepwells in the subcontinent are evident from one
particular site, abandoned by 2500 BCE, which combines a bathing pool, steps
leading down to water, and figures of some religious importance into one
structure.[74]
The early centuries immediately before the common era saw the Buddhists and the
Jains of India adapt the stepwells into their architecture.[74]
Both the wells and the form of ritual bathing reached other parts of the world
with Buddhism.[74]
Rock-cut step wells in the subcontinent date from 200-400 CE.[75] Subsequently
the wells at Dhank (550-625 CE) and stepped ponds at Bhinmal (850-950 CE) were constructed.[75]
Stupa: The origin of the stupa can be traced to 3rd century BCE
India.[76] It was used
as a commemorative monument associated with storing sacred relics.[76] The stupa
architecture was adopted in Southeast and East Asia, where it evolved into the pagoda, a Buddhist monument used for enshrining sacred
relics.[76]
Toe stirrup: The earliest
known manifestation of the stirrup, which was a toe loop that held the big toe
was used in India in as early as 500 BCE[77] or
perhaps by 200 BCE according to other sources.[78][79] This
ancient stirrup consisted of a looped rope for the big toe which was at the
bottom of a saddle made of fibre or leather.[79] Such a
configuration made it suitable for the warm climate of most of India where
people used to ride horses barefoot.[79] A pair
of megalithic double bent iron bars with curvature at each end, excavated in
Junapani in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh have been regarded as stirrups
although they could as well be something else.[80] Buddhist
carvings in the temples of Sanchi, Mathura
and the Bhaja caves dating
back between the 1st and 2nd century BCE figure horsemen riding with elaborate
saddles with feet slipped under girths.[81][82][83] Sir John Marshall described the
Sanchi relief as "the earliest example by some five centuries of the use of
stirrups in any part of the world".[83] In the 1st
century CE horse riders in northern India, where winters are sometimes long and
cold, were recorded to have their booted feet attached to hooked stirrups.[78] However
the form, the conception of the primitive Indian stirrup spread west and east,
gradually evolving into the stirrup of today.http://en.wikipe
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