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9. Mass Transfer of Soft Power

  • Writer: Kerry Paul
    Kerry Paul
  • Apr 28
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jun 11

I recently visited India to explore how this country evolved and what drives it today. In the 1450 years from about 250 BC to 1200 AD (called The Common Period), Indian religion, trade, science, technology, mathematics, and culture had a profound impact across the world from the Red Sea to the Pacific. Notably, the strength of India’s ideas was key to spreading Indian influence—not through the power of its sword!

Written Sanskrit
Written Sanskrit

Indian Soft Power

India’s contribution to the world’s science, technology, mathematics, and culture began with the writing of the Rig Veda 3500 years ago, followed by the further Vedas. The Vedas, meaning “knowledge,” are the oldest texts of Hinduism. They are derived from the ancient Indo-Aryan culture of the Indian Subcontinent and began as an oral tradition that was passed down through generations before finally being written in Vedic Sanskrit between 3500 and 2500 years ago. The Aryans had migrated into North-west India around 4000 years ago, bringing with them Sanskrit as an oral language. Around 3500 years ago, Sanskrit was reinvented as a literary and political language.


Indian Four Vedas books
Indian Four Vedas

Vedic learning covers logic, grammar, philosophy, medicine, metaphysics, divination, mathematics, Sanskrit, astronomy, literature, and magic.


Mass Transfer of Soft Power

During the period 2250 to 800 years ago, India exported the Sanskrit-written Vedas from Afghanistan to South-East Asia. Every region customized Sanskrit to blend with its existing languages. The transfer included more than just the Sanskrit language—it also carried religion, technology, astronomy, mathematics, medicine, mythology, literature, textiles, art, music, and dance.


The knowledge was carried by merchants, astronomers, and astrologers, scientists and mathematicians, doctors and sculptors, as well as monks and missionaries of various Indian religions.


In matters of science, astronomy, and mathematics, the Indian transfer spread to the Arab world and Mediterranean Europe. Indian geographical understanding, including the concept of the Earth's rotation and the positioning of the prime meridian, influenced Arab cartography.


Monks in orange robes stand before a large reclining Buddha statue carved in stone, set in a lush outdoor setting.

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Kerry Paul Business man and blogger
Kerry Paul – Stepping Out of Your Bubble Author
​

Hi, I'm Kerry. I enjoy challenging people by asking questions and presenting different views to encourage critical thinking. My 45-year career has always had a global focus, building successful relationships in over 50 countries. I am empathetic to diverse views, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, religion, culture, or socio-economic status. Join me on a captivating journey as we explore how India shaped the world over two thousand years ago, potentially leading to the first settlement of New Zealand. This blog series aims to expand readers' awareness and knowledge of how people may have come to New Zealand in pre-Polynesian times. Given the time constraints many readers face, I am providing a platform for them to consider these intriguing possibilities in easy-to-read blog posts.

 

Who were the first people to settle in New Zealand? How did India possibly contribute to any development, given its major role over 2000 years ago in some of New Zealand’s closest neighbours? These questions will guide our exploration and open up a rich dialogue about the historical connections and cultural exchanges that may have shaped New Zealand's early settlements.

 

I'd be more than happy to discuss with readers of my blog about India, its history as well as New Zealand and the suggested origins of its first settlers. 

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