Development of Science through Ages

Book Review

Book reading has assumed a great significance over the years and has become a profound hobby of the young men and women, nowadays. Diverse reading is probably a healthy trend. There are also books on self development as my friends tell me, though I have never come across any. To be on a lighter note, if I did not have had a degree in Physics, I would easily be categorised with the illiterates. Nonetheless, one should avail the chance of going to libraries and have one at home also. This makes your home a treasure-house of knowledge and beautifies your personal aura as well. But if life is constantly levied with endless and diverse challenges, that too of high urgency and immediate attention, it can greatly limit your expanse of intellectual pursuits. Somehow, I have also lived a life without a library and have heavily relied on my raw intelligence only. I just own one book shelf at home in the discipline of Physics which has given me some standing in life.

In that shelf I have recently added a book titled Development of Science Through Ages, with the theme of learning from the past, thinking for the present and storing for the future. It is written by Dr. Mohammad Aslam Baba, who has been a dedicated teacher with a huge passion for championing and popularising the science education in our valley with a particular emphasis on Physics. The book is spread over 900 pages divided into 12 chapters which are distributed in two segments. The first segment describes the emergence of Science from a historical perspective. It introduces the methods of science since early Stone Age and their progressive refinement till current times. The parallel developments in science that went on in the mainland India and in Greece, from ancient through medieval to modern times have been thoroughly discussed. There is a specific reference to the contribution of Muslims to the knowledge of Science, through ages. I could find many names which I had never previously heard of or ever known about their scientific works.

The second segment is about the advancements in science by way of many different discoveries and inventions. There is also a detailed mention of scientific principles and practices that are currently in great vogue besides the much hyped areas of research and innovation. The book is updated with chronology of scientific developments that have happened since twentieth century until quite as recently as 2022. The Nobel prizes so awarded for different scientific works since 1901 to 2022 have been tabulated in a beautiful sequence. The scheme of arrangement of the contents of the book is also very impressive. There is a great rhyme and rhythm. Each chapter builds upon the previous one giving a fair idea of concepts. There is a continuum, coherence and connectivity.

The book has a detailed introductory content on everything from plant sciences, human physiology, earth sciences, environmental science, chemical science, agricultural science, material science, knowledge of computers, robotics, artificial intelligence, ICT, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and solar powered devices to details of cosmos, quantum mechanics and some supreme theories of Albert Einstein.

At the end of the book, one can find the HD images of space telescopes, some far end galaxies, black holes, nebula and the planetary system. The book is much like an encyclopaedia of science and exhibits the great dedication of the author over a period of two decades in covering almost all the prime areas of science and writing extensively about them. However the book completely misses out on mathematical equations, graphics and circuitry which could have added more credence to its content. Math may give anxiety to the lay readers but they are to be acquainted with it, anyway and anyhow. In the words of Galileo, Mathematics is the language in which God has written the universe. I would rather suggest having a chapter on miracles of Mathematics in the subsequent editions of the book to be sufficiently illustrative about its theme.

Even Stephen Hawkings was returned his book titled Brief History of Time, multiple times by the editor to cut out on mathematical content.  Nonetheless he retained some of it without caring too much for the readers. Updation and adjustment has to be both ways, from writer as well as the reader to make science communication effective, exertive and appealing. In my honest opinion, the book written by Baba Sahib is a must-read for the students who have finished their high or higher secondary school. It will take them through the diversity of science and help them a great deal in identifying the areas of their interest in which they may choose to go ahead.

The book has been extensively peer reviewed by thirteen different academicians of the valley from varied areas of expertise. The foreword of the book is written by a notable academician currently holding the position of the Vice-Chancellor of one of the prestigious universities of the UT of J&K.

Baba Sahib has grown up as a downtown dude in a healthy and competitive environment of Kashmiri Pandits always known for their academic excellence. After finishing his University degree in Physics, he got appointed as a school lecturer. Soon he also got selected as a college professor in Physics. Then he stepped up the career ladder while covering all important positions from that of a faculty member and an academic counsellor to principal and later as dean school of Engineering and Technology at cluster University Srinagar. After his retirement, he has been nominated as member coordinator for NAAC teams for assessment of degree colleges. He has also been making significant contributions by way of newspaper editorials and research paper presentations in science workshops and conferences.

Baba sahib had to attend his ailing mother for years together and meanwhile he was himself diagnosed with a serious medical condition for which he had to go through a chain of surgeries. He lost his both parents during the course of writing this book. This delayed the work to a great extent but could not deter his determination and he went on to fulfil his pledge. I call it a beautiful coincidence that this voluminous science compendium of Baba Sahib follows as an eclectic example for one of my previously written column titled, ‘If youth knew if age could.’ For people like Baba Sahib, passion does not necessarily pacify with age no matter what other challenges life is throwing at you on the sidelines.

It was a privilege to be a part of this book releasing ceremony, few days back at Sri Pratap College Srinagar where Baba Sahib had been a faculty member in the most prestigious department of Physics. Some noteworthy academic luminaries who were there to grace the occasion include prof. Mushtaq Ahmad Siddiqi, former Vice Chancellor of Islamic University of Science and Technology; prof. Syed Ghulam Sarwar, former principal and noted academician; prof. Mohammad Afzal Zargar, registrar Central University of Kashmir, prof. Naseer Iqbal, registrar University of Kashmir, Prof. Basharat Ahmad Want, head of the department of Physics, University of Kashmir; Prof. Yaseen Ahmad Shah, former director colleges JKHED and Prof. Ghulam Jeelani Qureshi, principal of the host college.

The publication of this book by the retired professor is a matter of huge honour for the entire fraternity of Physics teachers in Kashmir division. I wish him good health and best of luck for all his future endeavours.

Dr. Qudsia Gani, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Physics, Govt. Degree College, Pattan, J&K