Wimanas, the fabled flying machines of ancient India, have captivated imaginations, yet their existence is largely unsubstantiated. This raises a question: why did Indian nationalists choose to ascribe the invention of flight to their forebears rather than acknowledge tangible historical advancements?

Commonly, we assume that the advent of human flight began with the Wright brothers. The initial conceptualizations of aircraft are often attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. However, could it be that the first aircraft was actually envisioned in India?

What Exactly Were Wimanas? Evidence of wimanas is found in the ancient Sanskrit text titled “Vaim?nika Sh?stra,” which appeared in print in 1959 and again in 1973. This document describes various aerial vehicles, including the sundara-wimana (meaning "beautiful vehicle") and the tripura-wimana (meaning "vehicle of the three cities").

Moreover, the commentary accompanying the treatise elaborates on the technologies used in these devices. Astonishingly, the capabilities of these ancient Indian aircraft seemingly surpassed those of the American Wright brothers or the imaginative designs of Italian innovators. For instance, a wimana pilot could make the craft emit a radiant glow.

Another intriguing “secret” from the 32 technologies mentioned is one that describes a device capable of capturing sounds and speech from other vehicles, suggesting that wimanas were equipped with listening apparatuses!

The Creation of Wimanas In the preface to the second edition of the treatise, publisher G. Josyer recounts its origins, claiming the true author was the ancient sage Bharadwaja. Indeed, Bharadwaja is a recognized figure in Sanskrit literature. The original text reportedly consisted of only a few concise verses but was extensively interpreted by Bodhananda, who provided a comprehensive analysis of the technology.

This method of interpretation is not uncommon in Indian tradition. Sanskrit scientific texts, or "shastras," typically contained brief definitions, prompting scholars to develop detailed commentaries to clarify the verses' meanings.

According to Josyer, he received these manuscripts in 1951, which he asserts were thousands of years old. Among these works was the “Vaim?nika Sh?stra,” supposedly dictated by a holy man named S. Shastry and transcribed by his disciple G.V. Sharma between 1918 and 1923. Thus, we can conclude that the ancient treatise by Bharadwaja remained obscure for centuries, only to resurface when the West had already advanced in aviation.

Did Wimanas Truly Exist? Now, let us critically evaluate the claims surrounding wimanas and the fervent imaginations they inspire. Contradictions arise in Josyer's statements. He first mentions receiving manuscripts “thousands of years old,” yet later claims the treatise was penned in the early 20th century. This suggests that he did not, in fact, acquire ancient writings. Typically, Indian manuscripts date back a few hundred years rather than thousands. Additionally, if the original text comprises merely a handful of stanzas, how could it take five years to transcribe?

Moreover, the second edition fails to reference the first. The 1973 version is said to be based on a manuscript from Pune's library, attributed to Sharma and dated 9.8.1919, coincidentally sharing the name with Shastry's disciple. Could there be a link here?

The original treatise's stanzas are quite vague. For instance, the first four stanzas state:

“Due to the similarity of the speed [of flight] to birds [it is called] ‘vimana.’ The commander knows the secrets And knows five [things] And whirls.”

Josyer interprets the first stanza as referring to an airplane and the second as describing a pilot, but alternative interpretations are equally plausible. The actual treatise on vehicles might be Bodhananda's commentary rather than Bharadwaja's original text.

Who exactly was Bodhananda? When did he live? The origins of the commentary remain unclear since, at the beginning of the 20th century, Shastry was only said to have dictated the treatise, not its commentary. This invites speculation that perhaps Shastry was Bharadwaja and Bodhananda was merely the commentator, with Sharma, Shastry’s student, involved as well. These individuals may have concocted a forgery created in the early decades of the 20th century, well after the Wright brothers made their historic flights.

Given the brevity of "Bodhananda’s commentary," it is understandable that its transcription might take several years. Furthermore, although ancient Sanskrit texts mention several figures named Bharadwaja, none reference the “Vaim?nika Sh?stra.” The first significant criticism of the treatise appeared in 1974, when researchers interviewed G.V. Sharma, who confirmed he had transcribed the treatise, later producing several copies that were “circulated” to various locations. Does this imply that these copies became the so-called “manuscripts” found in libraries and subsequently published?

The research team also scrutinized the treatise's aerodynamic descriptions and sketches. Their findings were clear: wimanas would only achieve flight if constructed from the pages outlining them!

Instances of Historical Misrepresentation The authors of the “Vaim?nika Sh?stra” managed to capture the attention of many, with numerous websites and books treating its content as credible. This is far from an isolated case.

Another example is “Vedic mathematics.” In the 1960s, the holy man Jagadguru Swami Shri Bharati Krishna Tirthaji Maharaja published a book asserting that mathematical techniques could be derived from hymns in the “Atharvaveda,” which would revolutionize computational efficiency. This claim was later debunked by Indian mathematician G. Dani, who demonstrated that these methods were merely calculation shortcuts—some nonsensical, others useful but not groundbreaking. When confronted with the “Atharvaveda” during a lecture, the author reportedly could not specify the relevant verses and claimed to be referring to a different edition, which he never produced.

Following the advent of nuclear weapons, some began to interpret descriptions of nuclear explosions within Indian epics, depicting heroes conjuring fiery arrows through incantations. Critics conveniently overlook the absence of material evidence to support these assertions, while the texts clearly indicate that such weapons were divine gifts used through prayer.

Others propose that ancient Indians calculated the speed of light, developed evolutionary theory, or constructed submarines. Most of these claims lack credible support. References to atomic weapons in epics only surfaced after the bombings of Japan, and the “Vaim?nika Sh?stra” was composed after the Wright brothers' pioneering flights.

The Motivation Behind Historical Misrepresentation in India These audacious claims trace their roots back to the 19th century, initiated by Swami Dayananda Saraswati (1824–1883). Struggling with animosity towards “foreigners” (particularly Muslim and Christian rulers) and envious of their technological advancements, he posited that India had achieved everything noteworthy in ancient times.

Ultimately, the blame for such fabrications can be placed on British colonial propaganda, which convinced Indian subjects that their civilization lacked scientific merit and was solely “spiritual.” This was far from the truth; ancient Indian science boasts numerous accomplishments, particularly in mathematics. Nevertheless, some Indians, burdened by colonial narratives, felt compelled to reach for foreign achievements to restore their self-worth.

Hence, one might view this “channeling” as a form of “sewering”—the drainage of colonial complexes. The British departed, but the psychological scars remained. Saraswati's ideas continue to resonate with radical factions in India. The promotion of such “discoveries” is not merely the work of individuals but rather a concerted effort by organizations and communities aiming to glorify India's historical narrative.

It is worth noting that a particular political party, aligned with Indian radicals, previously attempted to introduce “Vedic mathematics” in schools, though this initiative was later retracted. In recent years, there has been a notable surge in efforts to “rewrite” the nation's history, with institutions emerging to produce lists of historical revelations. Claims have surfaced that Indian civilization is far older than previously acknowledged, attributing all societal ills to Muslim invaders, while asserting that ancient Hindu kingdoms once ruled the globe, characterized by democracy and prosperity.

In addition to distorting history and misinterpreting traditional texts, these actions have deleterious effects. Why do radicals so vehemently claim foreign discoveries as their own? Do they perceive their culture as inferior? This cycle of post-colonial complexes leads to the harshest critics of foreign rulers often becoming their most ardent admirers, unable to detach themselves from their admiration for their achievements.

Ultimately, this misguided pursuit of ancient wonders obscures the genuine accomplishments of Indian civilization, which are, in fact, just as remarkable as the content of the “Vaim?nika Sh?stra.”