India was the motherland of our race, and Sanskrit the mother of Europe's languages: she was the mother of our philosophy; mother, through the Arabs, of much of our mathematics; mother, through the Buddha, of the ideals embodied in Christianity; mother, through the village community, of self-government and democracy. Mother India is in many ways the mother of us all".

Will Durant, the American historian and philosopher (1885-1981), wrote this passage in 'The Story of Civilization: Our Oriental Heritage' (1935). He acknowledged India's foundational role in human civilization, influencing language, philosophy, mathematics (through Arabs), religion (Buddhism's influence on Christianity), and democratic ideals (village communities). This passage reflects Durant's extensive study of Indian contributions to world culture.