1. THE FOUNDER OF ISHM
The Indian Society for History of Mathematics was
founded by the late Professor Udita Narayana Singh
in the year 1978. Professor Singh was born on August
4, 1917 in the District of Varanasi. His early student
life and a significant part of his formative years as a
mathematician were spent at the Allahabad University,
then famed as „Oxford of the East‟. Here, the
distinguished analyst B.N. Prasad influenced him and
he produced one of the finest doctoral dissertations in
mathematics to have ever come out of Allahabad
University in 1949. None other than E. C. Titchmarsh,
FRS, who called Singh “an extremely talented
mathematician”, praised the thesis in superlative
terms. U. N. Singh then proceeded to the Sorbonne
(University of Paris) where he worked under the
guidance of the renowned mathematician Szolem
Mandelbrojt and obtained the state D.Sc. with mention
„tres honorable‟ in 1954.
An enlightened educationist and mathematician, his contributions are memorable.
Numerous honours came his way but he remained the most unassuming of persons. He
served with distinction the cause of mathematics and education in numerous capacities.
At the time of his untimely death he was on the Madhya Pradesh University Grants
Commission where he was instrumental in ushering in a quiet revolution in the higher
education set-up of the state. As the Vice Chancellor of the University of Allahabad he
was acclaimed as an administrative genius. As Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of
Delhi, and its Vice Chancellor for a time, he was responsible for several innovations that
substantially improved the working of several institutions in India.
His work and his life were characterized by an unwavering pursuit of excellence and
rectitude. He was responsible for uplifting the standards of the Department of
Mathematics at University of Delhi leading to the international standards. His interests
were wide and deep. His profound knowledge of Sanskrit, of the Vedas and of Indian
philosophy and culture helped him in having a deep understanding and appreciation of
Ancient Indian Mathematics. He foresaw the need and importance to accord the History
of Mathematics-in particular the history of Indian mathematics-its rightful place in the
context of the country‟s growth and development. As founder President of the Indian
Society for History of Mathematics, he took keen interest in its growth and development.
It is a fitting tribute to him that Gaņita Bhāratī – the Bulletin of the Society – is today
among the leading international journals on the history of mathematics.
The Society feels honored in carrying out his legacy beyond 30 years.
It may be in order to mention that the Genius father produced a Genius son in Professor
Dinesh Singh, who is currently the Vice Chancellor of the University of Delhi and a
name in mathematics on his own.