Rishi Sushrut – The Father of Surgery Long before modern medicine, India had Rishi Sushrut – a legendary sage and physician from around 600 BCE. He is celebrated as the Father of Surgery for his groundbreaking work in the Sushruta Samhita, an ancient Sanskrit text on medicine and surgery. Rishi Sushrut described over 300 surgical procedures, 120 surgical instruments, and even techniques like plastic surgery (rhinoplasty), cataract removal, and treating fractures — all with astonishing precision for his time. He emphasized hygiene, patient care, and detailed anatomical knowledge, which are core to modern surgery even today. His work reflects India’s rich legacy in science and medicine — a true testament to ancient wisdom far ahead of its time.