Biplab Deb, the chief minister of the north-eastern state of Tripura, claimed at a public function on Tuesday that ancient Indians invented the internet.
Speaking at a workshop on computerisation, Mr Deb claimed the web was invented thousands of years ago and that the technology was around during the days of Mahabharata, according to the Times of India.
He used the tale of Sanjaya, from the epic poetic tale Mahabharata, and his blow-by-blow recount of the battle of Kurukshetra to the blind king as an example that the technology must have existed.
The minister said it wasn't European nations, or the US, that invented the internet because India had the technology in ancient times.
Many Indians and commentators on social media mocked the bizarre comments.
Many people questioned the claims from a list of Indian ministers in the current Hindu nationalist BJP government that have claimed modern-day scientific or technological advancements were around in ancient India.
