Sushruta

A surgeon working nearly 2,500 years ago described nose reconstruction techniques still referenced today. This article covers Sushruta, and the ancient text that earned him that title.

Surgery, 2,500 Years Ahead of Its Time

ArtnCulture0061

6TH CENTURY BCE

Traditional Dating

Sushruta taught and wrote at Kashi, present-day Varanasi

300+ PROCEDURES

The Samhita’s Scope

184 chapters, over 120 described surgical instruments

RHINOPLASTY

Nose Reconstruction

A technique still referenced in modern plastic surgery

CATARACT SURGERY

Couching Technique

Dislodging a clouded lens to restore vision

The legacy: the “Indian method” of rhinoplasty traces directly back to Sushruta’s original technique.

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Must Know

• Sushruta was an ancient Indian physician, traditionally dated to around the 6th century BCE, associated with Kashi (present-day Varanasi).
• He is called the “father of surgery” for the systematic surgical techniques described in his work.
• The Sushruta Samhita, his major text, runs to 184 chapters and describes over 300 surgical procedures and 120 instruments.
• It is one of Ayurveda’s three foundational texts, alongside the Charaka Samhita.
• Sushruta is credited with pioneering rhinoplasty (nose reconstruction) and a cataract-removal technique called couching.

Good to Know

• Sushruta’s rhinoplasty technique used a flap of skin from the forehead to rebuild the nose. Modern reconstructive surgery still echoes this method.
• His couching technique for cataracts used a sharp instrument to dislodge the clouded lens, restoring some vision.
• Sushruta is traditionally linked to the sage Divodasa, within the teaching lineage associated with Dhanvantari, Ayurveda’s mythological founding figure.

Test Yourself

Please wait…

1. Sushruta is traditionally associated with which ancient city?

Taxila

Kashi (Varanasi)

Ujjain

Pataliputra

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Great to Know

• Rhinoplasty techniques have survived in recognisable form for roughly 2,500 years. Sound anatomical reasoning can outlast the specific tools once used to apply it.
• Detailing 120 surgical instruments this early suggests surgery was already a specialised, equipment-driven discipline in ancient India, not an improvised or purely herbal practice.
• Pairing Sushruta with Charaka in most surveys can obscure a real distinction. Sushruta focused on surgery, while Charaka focused on internal medicine and diagnosis.
• The modern “Indian method” of rhinoplasty tracing directly to Sushruta shows how a single ancient technique can remain professionally relevant, not just historically interesting.
• India still marks Sushruta’s legacy every year. Sushruta Jayanti, observed on 15 July, is hosted by the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi. See SciTech0029 — AYUSH vs. Modern Allopathy for AIIA’s wider role today.

Current Affairs

• 15 July 2026: President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated “Saushrutam 2026,” a three-day international seminar at AIIA, New Delhi, marking Sushruta Jayanti. (Source: PIB)
• The seminar ran from 15 to 17 July 2026, preceded by a pre-conference workshop on 14 July. Sessions revisited Sushruta’s own surgical principles, including wound management, Agnikarma, Kshara Sutra, and Marma Chikitsa. (Source: PIB)
• Experts from Thailand, Israel, Austria, the UK, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Nepal, and Greece joined the seminar. Together with Indian surgeons and academicians, they discussed integrating Ayurvedic and modern surgical sciences. (Source: PIB)
• AIIA also inaugurated a 3 Tesla, AI-enabled MRI system, installed at a cost of ₹14.5 crore, at the event. A national study on Ayurveda female graduates’ career progression was also released. (Source: PIB)
• The President also called for preserving medicinal-plant biodiversity, and for greater women’s participation in the Ayurveda workforce. (Source: PIB)
• Delhi LG Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Ayush MoS Prataprao Jadhav also addressed the gathering. (Source: PIB)
• Separately, the National Medicinal Plants Board signed an MoU with University of Delhi’s Bhaskaracharya College.
  • It covers medicinal-plant research, product development, and sustainable packaging, replacing conventional aluminium-based materials.
  (Source: PIB)
• Saushrutam 2026 concluded on 17 July 2026, with its valedictory session at AIIA.
  • NCISM Chairperson Maneesha Kothekar and MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri attended as Chief Guests.
  • AIIA renewed its MoU with IIT Delhi for another five years, on collaborative research.
  • Modern surgical experts from AIIMS, SGPGI Lucknow, and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital also took part, alongside Ayurveda surgeons.
  (Source: PIB)