भारत का स्वर्णिम अतीत - Rajiv Dixit Ji

We are made to think that we are citizens of a greenfield startup
country, India,started in 1947. This is something, We should all know
this not to spread hatred for our past rules, but to appreciate the
land of our birth and get inspired to work towards higher pursuits in
life including working on advancements compensating for last 200 years
of lost ground in all fields like science, technology, medicine,
commerce, industry etc.
भारत का स्वर्णिम अतीत:    • भारत का स्वर्णिम अतीत - Rajiv Dixit Ji  

Some interesting highlights from the lecture:
The lecture gives historical information on trade, commerce,
import/export, GDP, Science & Technology, Education . It covers
observations by various foreigners who travelled to India at various
point in time, esp in last 300 years pre independence, For instance

Pre 1500: Discoveries in physics (speed of light etc), mathematics,
astronomy (distance between planetary bodies, sun Centric theory,
earth rotation, seasons, calendar, forecasting of solar and lunar
eclipses etc.), Technology.
In 1611, François Pyrard (French), wrote India has lot of industries
producing best quality cheap products like jewellery, steel, cloth,
handicraft, etc. The export from India has been going on since 3000
years. In 17th century, William Digby mentioned: Pre Britain India,
India is agriculture, industry and trade/commerce based economy. Home
to best quality cloth, steel etc and same are traded in exchange with
gold & silver by traders all across the world. There is no imports
made by India, only exports.
In 1708, Daniel Defoe, praised the Panchang calendar and Indian
astronomy in British Parliament esp. the forecasting of solar and
lunar eclipses.
In 1764, James Franklin (British): Steel quality manufactured in India
is of best quality owing to expertise in blast furnaces. Dr. Scott,
London Royal Society remarked, its best suited for surgical
instruments.
In 1813, Thomas Monroe, praised the quality of cloth manufactured in
India in British Parliament. Martin (Scottish Historian): Cloth
industry is at its best in India, India inspired the world cloth
industry.
In 1813, 43% of world production happened in India.
Max Mueller: In Bengal alone , 80000 Gurukuls are running from many centuries.
18th Century, Ludlow: There is no village in India where there is no
Gurukul (school)
In 1822, G.W.Litner prepared a report on Education in India, which
stated: Education institutions penetration is one gurukul/school per
200 people with 97% literacy rate in North India. Thomas Monroe Report
on Education in South India: Education institutions penetration is one
Gurukul/school per 400 people in North India.
In 1822, 7,32,000 Gurukuls were in operation without taking any grant
from Rulers. They were self sustaining institutions sustaining from
donations from common public and produce from the land owned by
Gurukul. The students were taught 18 subjects including astronomy,
engineering, medicine, metallurgy, physics, martial arts etc. Classes
used to happen from sunrise to sunset. Students were admitted after
they reach the age of 5 yr,5month,5days. they study for 14 years in
Gurukul. There were 14000 higher level educational institutions in
India. All accessible to common people of India. In Europe, that time,
schooling used to be a privilege for elite and believed that for rule,
common people should not be given education.
2 Feb,1835, Macaulay in British Parliament on India: ... no beggars,
no law and order problem, abundance of gold with Indian people. They
use to weigh gold and not count .
In 19th Century, there were attempts to test air planes. the last
among them was in 1895 near present day Bombay.

... and many more.
How Britishers destroyed all of this:

Indian Education Act: Closed Gurukuls to kill Education Sector
Impose Taxes on Export from India
Tax free Imports from Britain
Land Acquisition Act and 90% tax on agriculture to kill agri industry
Cow slaughter