Atom (paramanu)

The idea of a fundamental particle (maybe unit) seems to be originated in Greek and Indian philosophy independently. In Greek philosophy, Democritus suggested the idea of atom around 400-300 BCE, while in Indian philosophy, It was Kanada who proposed the idea of paramanu (Atom) around 600-200 BCE.

However, both ideas of atom are very different. Democritus's atom has no qualitative differences, while Kanada's atom differed both quantitatively and qualitatively.

See also:

• The Conception of the Atom in Greek and Indian Physics