2. ASTRONOMY IN INDIA
• The earliest reference of Indian interest in the field of astronomy has
been found in Taittiriya Brahmana. It makes a mention of Sun, Moon,
Nakshatras and seasons.
• There is a reference of rules of making a panchanga (almanac) in
Vedanga Jyotisha. Vedic people knew Jupiter and Venus. In
Mahabharata Mercury, Mars and Saturn are mentioned.
3. ASTRONOMY IN INDIA
• Indians learnt many elements of astronomy from the Greeks and the
Romans due to closer contacts of India with Greco-Roman world
during the post-Mauryan age.
• Astronomy was the only branch of knowledge in which Indians learnt
from foreigners. In all others branches of knowledge foreigners learnt
from India.
• Romaka Siddhanta was a famous book on astronomy during the
Ancient age. It was composed by Srishena. Its name suggests that it
contained knowledge acquired by Indians from Romans.
4. ASTRONOMY IN INDIA
CONTRIBUTION OF ARYABHATA
• Real development in the field of astronomy began in around 500 AD. The first
person to make significant contribution to it was Aryabhata (476 AD – 550
AD) who wrote a book titled Aryabhatiyam.
• Aryabhata estimated the circumference of earth and his estimation was very
close to modern calculations.
• He postulated a new theory that the earth was round and that it was rotating
on its own axis.
• Aryabhata was also the first to explain the true causes of solar and lunar
eclipses. He rejected the earlier concept that Rahu and Ketu caused eclipses.
He said eclipses were caused by relative motion of sun, moon and earth and
that shadows of moon and earth were responsible for eclipses.
• Aryabhata also put rules of planetary movement.
5. ASTRONOMY IN INDIA
CONTRIBUTION OF ARYABHATA
• Aryabhata was also the first to explain the true causes of solar and
lunar eclipses. He rejected the earlier concept that Rahu and Ketu
caused eclipses.
• He said eclipses were caused by relative motion of sun, moon and
earth and that shadows of moon and earth were responsible for
eclipses.
• Aryabhata also put rules of planetary movement.
6. ASTRONOMY IN INDIA
CONTRIBUTION OF VARAHAMIHIRA
• Varahamihira (505 AD – 587 AD) was also a great astronomer in India.
• He wrote Brihat-Samhita, Panchasiddhantika, Yogamaya, Laghukatha
and Vivahapatal.
7. ASTRONOMY IN INDIA
CONTRIBUTION OF BRAHMAGUPTA
• Brahmagupta (598 AD – 668 AD) was another great astronomer in
India.
• He wrote Brahmasphutasiddhanta and Khandakhadyaka.
• He was a precursor to Newton by proclaiming that all things fall to
earth automatically. He said that it was a law of nature.
• He emphasized that it was the nature of earth to attract things
towards itself. This theory was revolutionary in nature.
8. ASTRONOMY IN INDIA
CONTRIBUTION OF BHASKARACHARYA
• Bhaskara II or Bhaskaracharya (1114 AD – 1185 AD) contributed
immensely to the science of astronomy.
• He wrote a famous book Siddhanta Shiromani.
• This book has a separate chapter on mathematics which is titled as
Lilavati. This separate chapter is so voluminous that it is often
considered as a separate book.
