In 1991, as a member of the Planning Commission, Government of India, I was provided a unique opportunity of being involved in the project of interdisciplinary study of the History of Indian Science, Philosophy and Culture (1) from the earliest times to the present day which was included in the 8th Five-Year Plan (1992-97). Indian Council of Philosophical Research was the nodal agency for the project under the chairmanship of Prof. D.P. Chattopadhyaya. It was during deliberations and discussions that a view was emerging regarding traditional systems of medicine as a part of scientific thought of ancient history of science in India. Â