When did Charaka Samhita originate?

The Charaka Samhita is a foundational text of Ayurveda, originally based on the Agnivesha Tantra. While its exact dating is subject to scholarly debate, historical estimates place its origin and redaction by Charaka between the 3rd and 2nd Century BCE [1]. Some sources suggest Charaka may have flourished as late as the 2nd century CE, but the core composition is widely associated with the pre-Christian era. The text provides comprehensive insights into ancient medical science, including the importance of air, land, and water for health. It was later revised by Dridhabala in the 9th century, who added missing chapters to the existing manuscript. The work is celebrated for its systematic classification of diseases and its philosophical approach to medicine, predating other major treatises like the Sushruta Samhita in its original form [2].

Sources

1. [1] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 1: Ecology > I.1. HISTORY SF SCOLSSY > p. 3
2. [2] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Charaka-samhita