Ayurveda was discovered and developed by ancient Indian holy men known as Rishis. These Rishis lived in forests, far away from civilizations and devoted their lives to spiritual cause. Since they were connected to both ral and spiritual world, they were able to discern the basic nature of universe and man’s place in it. They developed a tradition of knowledge that was fluid and allowed for growth.
Ayurveda was built as new therapies and herbs were discovered and trade brought new information from other cultures. The Rishis were scientists who made huge advances in the fields of surgery, herbal medicine, the medicinal effects of minerals and metals, exercise, physiology, human anatomy, and psychology. Their surgeries included difficult procedures such as Caesarean section, which was successfully performed in the West only in the last 100 years. Passed down from teacher to student for centuries, this information was recorded in Vedas when written language was developed.

Vedas are the most ancient and the most sacred written form of knowledge. There are four Vedas-
*RIGVEDA
*SAMVEDA
*YAJURVEDA and
*ATHARVAVEDA
After these four Vedas, Ayurveda is considered as fifth Veda. Ayurveda is explained in Rigveda-the most ancient Veda. Indra,  Agni and Soma are related to three Doshas- Vata, Pitta and Kapha, respectively.
We get two main branches of Ayurveda from 700BC to 1000BC i.e., 2700 to 3000 years ago. Two branches of AYURVEDA are:
1) Atreya branch
2) Dhanvantari branch