This international scholarly volume commemorates the historic installation of the bronze statue of Maharishi Sushruta at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh on 19 June 2026, honouring one of the greatest pioneers in the history of medicine and surgery.
Widely regarded as the Father of Surgery, Maharishi Sushruta occupies a unique place in world medical history. His monumental work, the Sushruta Samhita, composed over two millennia ago, is among the earliest and most comprehensive medical and surgical treatises known to humanity. The text describes surgical procedures, anatomical observations, surgical instruments, reconstructive techniques, trauma care, ophthalmic surgery, orthopaedic interventions, and principles of medical ethics that continue to inspire healthcare professionals around the world.
Long before the emergence of modern medical institutions, Sushruta advocated rigorous surgical training, careful observation, ethical conduct, anatomical study, and patient-centred care. His teachings laid foundations that continue to resonate within contemporary medicine. The installation of his statue at one of the world's most respected surgical institutions represents a landmark acknowledgement of the enduring influence of ancient Indian medical science.
This commemorative compendium brings together an international community of surgeons, physicians, Ayurvedic scholars, historians, Sanskrit experts, researchers, educators, and thought leaders from the United Kingdom, United States, India, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Through original essays, historical analyses, scholarly reflections, and contemporary medical perspectives, the contributors explore the life, teachings, innovations, philosophy, and continuing relevance of Maharishi Sushruta.
Topics covered include: the life and legacy of Maharishi Sushruta; the Sushruta Samhita and its global significance; surgical innovation and medical education; plastic and reconstructive surgery; neurosurgery; gastrointestinal; head and ENT surgery; ophthalmology; urology; orthopaedics; anaesthesia and critical care; psychiatry; medical ethics; Ayurveda and integrative medicine; women's health; Sanskrit scholarship; medical historiography; and the continuing relevance of ancient medical knowledge in modern healthcare.
Contributors include: Prof. Chandra V. N. Cheruvu, Dr Ajaya Kashyap, Prof. Ajith George, Dr Ashwin Sawant, Dr Anusha, Prof. Chetan Parmar, Prof. Dattatreyudu Nori, Dr Deepu Banerji, Dr D. S. Addala, Prof. Easwaramoorthy Sundaram, Dr Gaurang Ramesh, Dr Ramesh Makkam, Prof. K. Govindaraj, J. V. Kanada, J. Patanjali, Dr Kishore Chandiramani, Dr Lalitha Cheruvu, Madhava Kumar Turumella, Dr Mallikarjuna Rao, Dr Mamatha K. V., Dr Marc Halpern, Mitra Desai, Nilesh Nilkanth Oak, Dr Pankaj N. Maheshwari, Dr Reeta P. Maheshwari, Dr Neel B. Mehta, Dr Raju V. K., Dr Leela V. Raju, Dr Satya Swapnika Y., Dr Prashanth Kumar Athota, Dr V. V. S. Rama Sastry, Prof. Rowan W. Parks, Rutger Kortenhorst, Dr Samhitha B., Dr Satish Midha, Dr Geet Midha, Prof. Selvasekar C., Prof. Seshu Sarma, Dr Shilajit Ghosh, Dr Srinivas M. K. Cheruvu, Dr Suneel Kumar Pooboni, Dr Vijay Jeganth, Dr Viswanath Y. K. S., and Prof. A. Zameer Pasha.
Published by CIERX Publications, this landmark volume serves as both a scholarly reference and a tribute to the enduring legacy of Maharishi Sushruta. By bringing together voices from modern surgery, Ayurveda, academia, and medical history, it demonstrates how ancient wisdom and contemporary science continue to enrich one another in the pursuit of healing, knowledge, and human wellbeing.
