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Reading about famous Indian philosophers can help students understand how these influential personalities shaped Indian society. Their thoughts and ideologies made various valuable contributions. For instance, people such as Adi Shankaracharya, Chanakya, and Gautama Buddha introduced new ideas that eventually led to the formation of religious traditions for many followers. In this blog, you will find a complete list of the famous Indian philosophers from the ancient to modern Indian period, along with their contributions to the field of Philosophy.
Table of Contents
List of Famous Ancient Indian Philosophers
In this section, you will read about ancient Indian philosophers and their beliefs, ideologies, and how they shaped society. From promoting non-violence to asceticism, there is a lot to learn. Let’s get started.
| Name of Ancient Indian Philosopher | What Are They Known for? |
| Kanada | He was an ancient philosopher and natural scientist who wrote the Vaisheshika-sutras. |
| Chanakya (Kautilya) | He was a famous political philosopher who wrote Arthashastra, a guide to governance. |
| Mahavira | He was an important figure in Jainism, known for teachings on non-violence and asceticism. |
| Adi Shankaracharya | He was the proponent of Advaita Vedanta (Non-Dualism). |
| Patanjali | He was the author or one of the authors of two great Hindu classics called Yoga-sutras and Mahabhashya. |
| Gautama Buddha | He was the founder of Buddhism. |
| Kapila | He is regarded as the founder of the Samkhya school of Hindu philosophy. |
| Aurobindo | He was a philosopher, poet, and yogi who propounded the theory of divine life on earth through spiritual evolution. |
| Jamini | An ancient Indian scholar regarded as the founder of the Mīmāṃsā school of Hindu philosophy. |
| Vatsyayana | A famous ancient Indian philosopher and commentator on the sutras. |
| Yajnavalkya | One of the earliest known Indian philosophers who appeared in various Hindu texts. |
| Vyasa | A legendary Indian sage who wrote the Hindu epic Mahabharata. |
| Asanga | A famous Buddhist philosopher who established the Yogacara, the Practice of Yogā school. |
| Vallabhacharya | A philosopher who established the Pushtimarg Vallabhacharya devotional sect. |
| Ramanuja | A philosopher and theologian who propounded the doctrine of eternal devotion to the Hindu god Vishnu and his consort goddess Lakshmi. |
1. Gautam Buddha
Gautam Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama, was a wise spiritual leader and the founder of Buddhism. He was born around 563 BCE in Lumbini (now in Nepal) into a royal family, but left his luxurious life at the age of 29 to find the truth about human suffering. After deep meditation under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, he attained Enlightenment at the age of 35 and became known as “The Buddha,” meaning “The Enlightened One.” His most important teachings, also called his greatest inventions, are the Four Noble Truths: (1) Life is full of suffering (Dukkha), (2) The cause of suffering is desire (Samudaya), (3) Suffering can end (Nirodha), and (4) There is a path to end suffering (Magga), which is called the Eightfold Path. These ideas teach people how to live peacefully, avoid harm, and reach inner happiness. Buddha spent the rest of his life spreading this knowledge across India and helping people find peace. He died at the age of 80 in Kushinagar, but his teachings continue to guide millions of people around the world.
2. Patanjali
Maharishi Patanjali was a great sage and scholar of ancient India, best known as the father of Yoga. He is believed to have lived around the 2nd century BCE, though the exact time is uncertain. Patanjali is most famous for writing the Yoga Sutras, a collection of 195 short teachings that explain the meaning, purpose, and practice of Yoga. These Yoga Sutras are considered his greatest invention, as they form the base of classical Yoga and guide people on how to control the mind, body, and soul for a healthy and peaceful life. According to Patanjali, Yoga helps remove suffering by calming the mind and focusing on self-discipline and meditation.
The Eight Limbs of Yoga, also called Ashtanga Yoga, is one of his most important contributions and includes Yama (moral values), Niyama (self-discipline), Asana (postures), Pranayama (breathing control), Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (deep peace). Apart from Yoga, Patanjali also contributed to Sanskrit grammar and Ayurveda. His teachings have helped millions of people live a healthy, balanced, and spiritual life. Even today, Patanjali’s name is remembered with great respect as the one who organized and simplified the practice of Yoga for the whole world.
3. Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara, also known as Adi Shankaracharya, was a great Indian philosopher and spiritual leader who lived around the 8th century CE. He was born in Kalady, Kerala, and became a learned scholar at a very young age. Even as a child, he showed deep interest in Vedas and spiritual knowledge. His biggest contribution was reviving and spreading the ancient Indian philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, which means “non-dualism”, the belief that the soul (Atman) and the Supreme (Brahman) are one and the same. This idea helped people understand the deeper meaning of life and God in a simple way. Adi Shankara travelled all over India by foot to debate with scholars and spread his teachings. He wrote many commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, and Brahma Sutras, making complex ideas easier to understand. He also established four mathas (monasteries) in different parts of India, in Sringeri, Dwarka, Puri, and Badrinath — to keep the teachings of Vedanta alive. His main invention was the Advaita philosophy, which promoted unity, peace, and self-realization. Adi Shankara passed away at a young age, around 32, but his wise thoughts and efforts to protect Indian culture and spiritual knowledge continue to guide people even today.
Source: Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham
4. Mahavira
Mahavira, also known as Vardhamana, was a great spiritual teacher and the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism. He was born around 599 BCE in Kundagrama (now in Bihar, India) into a royal family. His father was King Siddhartha, and his mother was Queen Trishala. Even though he lived a rich and royal life, Mahavira left his palace at the age of 30 to find truth and inner peace. He spent 12 years in deep meditation and became enlightened, gaining perfect knowledge called Keval Gyan. He then spent the rest of his life teaching people the path of truth, peace, and non-violence. His most famous inventions (teachings) are the Five Great Vows — Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy), and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) — which are still followed by millions of Jain followers around the world. Mahavira taught that every living being has a soul and should be treated with kindness. He believed in living a simple, honest, and peaceful life. He passed away at the age of 72 in Pavapuri, Bihar, but his message of love, respect, and non-violence continues to inspire people even today.
5. Chanakya
Chanakya, also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, was a wise teacher, great thinker, and one of the most important political advisors in ancient India. He lived around the 4th century BCE and was born in Takshashila (now in Pakistan). Chanakya was a brilliant scholar and taught at the famous Takshashila University. His biggest achievement was helping a young boy named Chandragupta Maurya become the first emperor of the Maurya Empire, which became one of the largest empires in Indian history. Chanakya’s most famous invention was a book called Arthashastra, which explains how to run a kingdom wisely — covering topics like law, war, economy, politics, and spy systems. He believed in strong leadership, planning, and justice. Chanakya also wrote Neeti Shastra, which is full of life lessons and moral values for everyday living. His smart ideas helped build a strong and united India, and many of his teachings are still followed by leaders and scholars today. Chanakya is remembered as one of India’s greatest minds who used his wisdom to shape history and guide rulers in the right direction.
Also Read: 120+ Great Personalities Who Inspired the World!
Modern Indian Philosophers
Now, let us learn the names of some famous modern Indian philosophers along with their contributions in further taking the philosophy of their predecessors to a greater height hereon.
| Famous Modern Indian Philosopher | What are They Known For? |
| Swami Vivekananda | A Hindu spiritual leader who popularised Indian philosophy in the West. |
| Osho or Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh | He was known for his unconventional views on self-awareness and spirituality. |
| Sri Aurobindo | An Indian philosopher who encouraged people about spiritual evolution. |
| Rabindranath Tagore | A poet and philosopher who earned a Nobel Prize in Literature. |
| Dr. B.R. Ambedkar | A social reformer and philosopher who was the leader of scheduled castes in India. |
Jiddu Krishnamurti | An Indian spiritual leader who talked about total spiritual freedom by practising self-awareness. |
| Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan | An Indian politician and philosopher who served as the second president of India. |
| Mahatma Gandhi | A famous Indian independence movement leader who proposed the ideas of non-violence and truth. |
1. Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda was a great spiritual leader, thinker, and social reformer of India, who inspired people all over the world with his powerful words and thoughts. He was born on 12 January 1863 in Kolkata (then Calcutta), and his childhood name was Narendranath Datta. From a young age, he was intelligent, curious, and eager to learn about religion and truth. He became a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahansa, who guided him on the path of spirituality. Swami Vivekananda’s biggest achievement was his famous speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, where he addressed the audience as “Sisters and Brothers of America,” and won hearts with his message of peace, unity, and religious tolerance. His most important teachings (inventions) were to serve humanity, believe in oneself, love all religions, and treat every person equally. He also started the Ramakrishna Mission, which works for education, health, and helping the poor. Swami Vivekananda believed that youth are the future of the nation and always encouraged them to be strong, honest, and confident. He passed away at the young age of 39 in 1902, but his inspiring words and ideas continue to guide millions even today.
| Particulars | Details |
| Original Name | Narendranath Datta |
| Born | January 12, 1863 |
| Died | July 4, 1902 |
| Subjects of study | Hinduism and Vedanta |
2. Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore was a renowned poet, philosopher, artist, and social reformer from India, best known for his contribution to literature and music. He was born on 7 May 1861 in Kolkata (then Calcutta). Tagore was a child prodigy, starting to write poetry at the age of 7. He became the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his collection of poems called Gitanjali (Song Offerings). Apart from being a poet, he was also a talented composer and the author of the national anthems of both India (“Jana Gana Mana”) and Bangladesh (“Amar Sonar Bangla”). Tagore’s teachings revolved around the importance of freedom, humanity, and the unity of all people. He believed that education should focus on creativity, freedom of thought, and learning from nature, and he founded the famous Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan for this purpose. His works, which include poems, stories, plays, and songs, continue to inspire generations of people worldwide, promoting peace, love, and unity. Tagore passed away on 7 August 1941, but his legacy lives on through his timeless contributions to art, literature, and human values.
| Particulars | Details |
| Original Name | Rabindranath Tagore |
| Born | May 7, 1861 |
| Died | August 7, 1941 |
| Awards and Honors | Nobel Prize |
| Notable Works | Gitanjali, Fireflies, Gora, Shesher Kabita |
3. Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi, also known as Gandhiji, was a great leader, freedom fighter, and social reformer who played a key role in India’s struggle for independence from British rule. He was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat. Gandhi is famous for his unique methods of non-violence (Ahimsa) and truth (Satya) to fight against injustice. He led several important movements like the Salt March and the Quit India Movement, inspiring millions of people to fight for freedom without using violence. His most important teachings were to live simply, treat everyone with respect, and always stand up for truth and justice. Gandhi believed that non-violent resistance (Satyagraha) was the most powerful tool to bring about change. He also worked for social causes like removing untouchability, promoting Hindu-Muslim unity, and improving education. His message of peace and love earned him the title of “Father of the Nation” in India. Gandhi passed away on 30 January 1948, but his principles of non-violence and truth continue to inspire leaders and people around the world to work towards a just and peaceful society.
| Particulars | Details |
| Full name | Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi |
| Born | October 2, 1869 |
| Died | January 30, 1948 |
4. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a great philosopher, scholar, and the 2nd President of India. He was born on 5 September 1888 in Tiruttani, Tamil Nadu. Radhakrishnan was a brilliant student and became a renowned professor of philosophy. He is best known for his deep understanding and teachings on Indian philosophy and spirituality. Radhakrishnan believed that true education should help individuals grow mentally, morally, and spiritually. He worked towards bridging the gap between Eastern and Western thought, making Indian philosophy known to the world. He wrote several books, including “The Philosophy of the Upanishads” and “Indian Philosophy,” in which he explained the wisdom of ancient Indian texts. He was also India’s first Vice President and later became the President of India. His birthday, 5 September, is celebrated as Teacher’s Day in India to honor his contributions to education. Dr. Radhakrishnan passed away on 17 April 1975, but his ideas on philosophy, education, and spirituality continue to inspire people worldwide.
| Particulars | Details |
| Original name | Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan |
| Born | September 5, 1888 |
| Died | April 16, 1975 |
| Awards and Honours | Templeton Prize (1975) |
5. Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, also known as Osho, was a spiritual leader and philosopher who gained worldwide recognition for his teachings on love, meditation, and spirituality. He was born on 11 December 1931 in Kuchwada, Madhya Pradesh. Osho was known for his radical ideas and his emphasis on living in the present moment. He taught that people should let go of societal norms, embrace love, and practice meditation to find true happiness and self-awareness. Osho encouraged his followers to question traditional beliefs, focusing on inner transformation and personal freedom. He created a large spiritual community, known as the Rajneesh movement, with centers around the world, particularly in the United States. His teachings were compiled into hundreds of books, and he introduced new forms of meditation, such as dynamic meditation, which became widely practiced. Despite facing controversy and legal challenges, Osho’s teachings have had a lasting impact on spiritual seekers around the world. He passed away on 19 January 1990, but his teachings continue to inspire people to live freely and mindfully.
| Particulars | Details |
| Original name | Chandra Mohan Jain |
| Born | December 11, 1931 |
| Died | January 19, 1990 |
Also Read: 10 Golden Teachings of Swami Vivekananda
FAQs
Adi Shankaracharya is one of the most famous Indian philosophers. He is renowned for his valuable contributions to Advaita Vedanta. In simple words, he was an advocate of the non-dual nature of reality and revived the ideologies and practices of Hinduism.
There is no official person declared as the father of philosophy in India. Instead, India has given various ancient and modern philosophers to the world. Some of the most famous Indian philosophers are Shri Shankara Acharya, Swami Vivekananda, Chanakya, Ved Vyasa, and Ramanuja.
The six Indian philosophies are called Shatdarshanas, Nyaya, Sankhya, Yoga, Vaisheshika, Purva Mimamsa and Uttara Mimamsa (Vedanta Philosophy).
The top 10 philosophers in the world are Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Confucius, Descartes, Kant, Nietzsche, Karl Marx, John Locke, and David Hume.
Gargi, the daughter of sage Vachaknu, is famously known as one of the most important and famous lady philosophers of India. She engaged in profound debates from a young age and became famous for her knowledge of the Vedas.
Many people consider Socrates the father of philosophy. He was a Greek philosopher who lived in Athens. People admired him for his great argumentative skills and knowledge.
It is not certain who the first Indian philosopher was. While some people believe it was Adi Shankaracharya, others think it was Kapila. Nonetheless, there are many famous Indian philosophers who influenced the ideas and beliefs of society during their existence.
Interesting Reads
Hope you enjoyed learning about the famous Indian philosophers. This was all about the famous Urdu Poets. If you want to know more about other Famous Personalities then visit our General Knowledge page!
