The conceptual origins of microbiology can be traced back to ancient Indian knowledge systems, particularly the Vedas and classical Ayurvedic texts. According to Frend (2006), the Vedas are among the earliest recorded scriptures on Earth, regarded not merely as human compositions but as divine revelations. Within these texts, renowned Vedic sages—such as Agastya, Manu, Charaka, Sushruta, and Vagbhata—have laid the foundational understanding of disease causation and microbial life through the concept of Krimi. As elaborated in the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya, and Ashtanga Samgraha, Krimis* are described as both visible and invisible organisms, with detailed classifications based on their morphology (shape, color), habitat (internal and external), and their physiological impacts on humans, animals, and plants. These early texts also discuss the etiology of infections, including environmental and dietary causes, and recommend remedies involving herbal formulations, detoxification processes, and hygienic practices (Frend 2006; WisdomLib, 2023).

Furthermore, the Vedic literature alludes to fungi through references to Soma, a sacred and possibly psychoactive or pathogenic substance, believed by some scholars to be fungal in origin (Sharma 2000; Deogade MS, Kethamakka 2019; Ahirrao & Patil 2022). Ayurvedic literature provides an early understanding of mycology, distinguishing between edible mushrooms, wood-decaying fungi, and pathogenic species. Ethnomycological documentation includes some of the earliest reports of polypores from India, notably Hexagonia sinensis and Polyporus wightii (Sharma 2000; Vaidya & Lamrood 2000; Tejal et al. 2020). These observations strongly support the view that the Indian subcontinent was not only aware of microbial and fungal life forms in ancient times but also systematized this knowledge long before the formal establishment of modern microbiology. *https://vedotpatti.in/samhita/Vag/vagbhata/?mod=home&con=as

जलज नव लक्षाणी, स्थावर लक्ष विम्शति, कृमयो रूद्र संख्यकः।
पक्षिणां दश लक्षणं, त्रिंशत् लक्षाणि पशवः, चतुर्लक्षाणि मानुषः॥

There are 900,000 species living in the water. There are also 2,000,000 nonmoving entities such as trees and plants. There are 1.100,000 species of insects and reptiles and there are 1,000,000 species of birds. As far as animals are concerned there are 3,000,000 varieties and there are 400,000 human species.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.25.19

हरिता हरिभिः शष्पैरिन्द्रगोपैश्च लोहिता । उच्छिलीन्ध्रकृतच्छाया नृणां श्रीरिव भूरभूत् ॥ १०-२०-११ ॥

The newly grown grass made the earth emerald green, the indragopa insects added a reddish hue, and white mushrooms added further color and circles of shade. Thus the earth appeared like a person who has suddenly become rich.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.25.19

इत्युक्त्वैकेन हस्तेन कृत्वा गोवर्धनाचलम् । दधार लीलया कृष्णश्छत्राकमिव बालकः ॥ १०-२५-१९ ॥

Having said this, Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is Viṣṇu Himself, picked up Govardhana Hill with one hand and held it aloft just as easily as a child holds up a mushroom. ॥ 10-25-19 ॥

Caraka-Samhita/sutra-sthana 27.123 

तद्वत्पिण्डालुकंविद्यात्कन्दत्वाच्चमुखप्रियम्। सर्पच्छत्रकवर्ज्यास्तुबह्व्योऽन्याश्छत्रजातयः ॥१२३॥

Ngesting the sarpa mushroom (Amanita) is forbidden. The other varieties of edible mushrooms are cold in potency, cause rhinitis, and are sweet and heavy.

1000 BCE Bhela Samhitā talks about the primeval taxonomy of edible mushrooms based on substrate.

1. Palala Jatha Chhatraka:  Fungi grow on pulse/legume flour.

2.  Gomaya Chhatraka "Gomaya" = cow dung (growing on cattle dung).

3.  Venu Chhatraka "Venu" = bamboo (bamboo-associated or rear bamboo areas).

15th Century Kaiyyadeva Nighantu an Ayurvedic medical lexicon written by Acharya Kaiyadeva

Mentioned the taxonomy of mushrooms

Based on toxicity

1. Savisha chhatraka (poisonous)

2. Nirvisha chhatraka (non-poisonous)

Based on colour

1. Krishna chhatraka (Black)

2. Sarpa chhatraka (Snake skin)

3. Shwetha chhatraka (White)

4. Raktha chhatraka (Red)

Many more...

Modern Indian mycology

The earliest formal records of fungi from the Indian subcontinent are attributed to Johann Gerhard Koenig, a Danish missionary and naturalist. Between approximately 1767 and 1785, Koenig collected numerous fungal specimens from Tanjore (now Thanjavur) Tamil Nadu. One of the earliest described species was Lycoperdon pistillare, initially classified by Linnaeus. This species was later reclassified by Persoon into the genus Scleroderma and subsequently transferred to Podaxon by Fries (Butler & Bisby, 1931).