Indian Journal of History of Science

Indian Journal of History of Science
Title	Indian Journal of History of Science
Editor	S. R. Sarma
Discipline	History of science, History of technology
Publisher	Indian National Science Academy
Country	India
History	1966–present
Frequency	Quarterly
Website	https://www.insa.nic.in/ijhs
ISSN	0019-5235
EISSN	2454-352X

Indian Journal of History of Science. It is a quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal published by the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) in New Delhi. Established in 1966, it serves as a premier scholarly periodical dedicated to the historical study of science, technology, and medicine, with a particular emphasis on the Indian subcontinent. The journal publishes original research articles, review papers, notes, and book reviews, contributing significantly to the global discourse in the history of science.

History and establishment

The journal was founded in 1966 under the auspices of the Indian National Science Academy, a body that traces its origins to the National Institute of Sciences of India established in 1935. Its creation was championed by eminent scientists and historians, including the first editor, Debiprasad Chattopadhyaya, a noted philosopher and historian of Indian science. The establishment coincided with a growing national and international scholarly interest in the history of Indian science and technology, following pioneering works by figures like Joseph Needham on Chinese science and the research of A. Rahman at the National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies. Early volumes often featured contributions from foundational scholars such as D. M. Bose, S. N. Sen, and O. P. Jaggi, helping to define the field in South Asia.

Scope and thematic focus

The journal's scope encompasses the global history of science, technology, and medicine, while maintaining a strong focus on the Indian tradition. Thematic areas include studies on exact sciences like Indian astronomy, Indian mathematics (including the works of Āryabhaṭa and Brahmagupta), and Indian physics, as well as applied fields such as metallurgy in ancient India, Indian alchemy, and traditional medical systems like Ayurveda and Siddha medicine. It also publishes research on the transmission of scientific knowledge across cultures, comparative studies with other scientific traditions like the Islamic Golden Age or Greco-Roman world, and the impact of colonial and post-colonial contexts on scientific development in regions like British India.

Abstracting, indexing, and impact

The journal is abstracted and indexed in several major international databases, ensuring its global reach and academic credibility. These include Scopus, maintained by Elsevier, and the Clarivate Analytics database, formerly part of Thomson Reuters. It is also covered by EBSCO Information Services, ProQuest databases, and the Indian Citation Index. While it does not currently have an official Impact Factor from the Journal Citation Reports, it is recognized as a leading publication in its field within South Asia and is regularly cited in works published by university presses like Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press.

Editors and editorial board

The journal has been guided by distinguished editors throughout its history. Following its founder Debiprasad Chattopadhyaya, subsequent editors have included renowned historians of science such as S. N. Sen and A. K. Bag. The current editor is S. R. Sarma, a noted scholar of Sanskrit scientific texts and the history of astronomy in India. The editorial board comprises an international panel of experts from institutions like the University of Calcutta, Jawaharlal Nehru University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, ensuring rigorous peer review and scholarly diversity.

Publication details and access

Published quarterly by the Indian National Science Academy from its headquarters in New Delhi, the journal follows a continuous publication model. Print subscriptions are available directly from the publisher, while digital access is provided through the academy's website and platforms like JSTOR. The archive from the first volume is accessible, making decades of research available. The journal also participates in initiatives like the Digital Library of India and is available in major research libraries worldwide, including the British Library and the Library of Congress.

Significance and recognition

The journal holds a position of significant prestige as the flagship publication for the history of science in India. It has played a crucial role in legitimizing and advancing the discipline, providing a dedicated platform for scholarship that might otherwise be dispersed. Its publications have informed major reference works like the Encyclopaedia of the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine in Non-Western Cultures and projects such as the National Mission for Manuscripts. The journal is also instrumental in fostering dialogue between historians, scientists, and archaeologists, contributing to a richer understanding of the scientific revolution in a global context and the intellectual heritage of the Indus Valley Civilisation and beyond.

Category:History of science journals Category:Academic journals published in India Category:Publications established in 1966 Category:Quarterly journals