The hidden story of how ancient India Shaped the West
Ancient Indian scholars Brahmagupta and Aryabhata significantly contributed to mathematics and science, influencing Western thought, yet their achievements are often overlooked due to colonial legacies undervaluing Indian civilization.
Read original article
The article discusses the significant yet often overlooked contributions of ancient Indian scholars, particularly Brahmagupta and Aryabhata, to mathematics and science, which have profoundly influenced Western thought. Brahmagupta, who defined the concept of zero and developed rules for arithmetic involving both positive and negative numbers, and Aryabhata, who made advancements in astronomy and trigonometry, laid foundational principles that shaped modern mathematics. Despite their contributions, Western education tends to emphasize Greek scholars while neglecting Indian mathematicians. The article argues that this ignorance stems from colonial legacies that undervalued Indian civilization, which was a major cultural and intellectual force in Asia for centuries. Indian ideas spread through trade and cultural exchange, influencing regions from Southeast Asia to China. The adoption of Indian numerals by Arab scholars in the 8th century, and their subsequent introduction to Europe by figures like Fibonacci, played a crucial role in the development of Western mathematics. The article concludes by highlighting India's resurgence as a global economic power and its ongoing contributions to science and mathematics.
- Ancient Indian scholars made foundational contributions to mathematics and astronomy.
- The concept of zero and rules for arithmetic were developed by Brahmagupta.
- Aryabhata's work included advancements in trigonometry and astronomy.
- Western education often overlooks the contributions of Indian mathematicians.
- India's historical influence on global culture and knowledge is underappreciated due to colonial narratives.
Related
The Invention of Zero: How Ancient Mesopotamia Created the Concept of Nought
The concept of zero, originating in ancient Mesopotamia and formalized in India, revolutionized mathematics. Robert Kaplan's book explores zero's profound impact on mathematical thinking and human cognition, transcending mere numerical value.
Al-Khwarizmi
Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, a Persian polymath, significantly advanced mathematics and astronomy during the Islamic Golden Age, introducing algebra and algorithms, and influencing Western education and mathematical thought.
Why Does Everyone Hate Haskell, Jazz, and Pure Math?
The article argues that Haskell, jazz, and pure mathematics, often seen as elitist, are crucial for innovation, leading to practical advancements in programming and music, benefiting society overall.
String Theorists Accidentally Find a New Formula for Pi – Scientific American
Physicists Arnab Priya Saha and Aninda Sinha discovered new formulas for calculating pi while researching string theory, yielding infinitely many equations and relating to the zeta function and Riemann conjecture.
The hidden story of how ancient India shaped the West
Ancient Indian scholars Brahmagupta and Aryabhata significantly influenced mathematics and science, introducing concepts like zero, which shaped Western thought, yet their contributions are often overlooked due to colonial narratives.
1 comments[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/24/books/review/the-secret-l...
Related
The Invention of Zero: How Ancient Mesopotamia Created the Concept of Nought
The concept of zero, originating in ancient Mesopotamia and formalized in India, revolutionized mathematics. Robert Kaplan's book explores zero's profound impact on mathematical thinking and human cognition, transcending mere numerical value.
Al-Khwarizmi
Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, a Persian polymath, significantly advanced mathematics and astronomy during the Islamic Golden Age, introducing algebra and algorithms, and influencing Western education and mathematical thought.
Why Does Everyone Hate Haskell, Jazz, and Pure Math?
The article argues that Haskell, jazz, and pure mathematics, often seen as elitist, are crucial for innovation, leading to practical advancements in programming and music, benefiting society overall.
String Theorists Accidentally Find a New Formula for Pi – Scientific American
Physicists Arnab Priya Saha and Aninda Sinha discovered new formulas for calculating pi while researching string theory, yielding infinitely many equations and relating to the zeta function and Riemann conjecture.
The hidden story of how ancient India shaped the West
Ancient Indian scholars Brahmagupta and Aryabhata significantly influenced mathematics and science, introducing concepts like zero, which shaped Western thought, yet their contributions are often overlooked due to colonial narratives.