Zero

• Many people mistakenly attribute the invention of zero to early Islamic civilization, but it is in fact an ancient Indian invention that made its way to to European civilization through the Middle East. The website History for Kids Notes, "Indian mathematicians' biggest invention was the use of zero as a placeholder, to make it easier to add and multiply numbers. Our word "zero" comes from the Sanskrit word meaning "nothing."
  
  

Furnaces and Steel

• Many historians believe ancient Indian civilization was the first to invent and use furnaces for metal work, often pointing out that some the of the world's oldest steel is found in India. According to the website Industrial Metal Castings, "The first steel products were made in India in 500 B.C., but the process was lost."
  
  

Cotton Cloths and Fabrics

• India seems to be among the earliest cultures that produced quality textiles and fabrics. According to the English Historical Review, the British East India company flooded the English market with calico, muslin, chintz and silks. In particular, many scholars credit Indian civilization with the invention of muslin/calico.
  
  

University

• While debate exists over what constitutes a university, some historians believe that India was home to the world's first university. According to a University of Texas web page titled "The Origin of Universities," Nalanda University, in India, "Had been established by the 5th century B.C."