The History of wient Indian Mathematics » G. N. SRINIVASIENGAR, n.0., Fermety, Pees of Mathematics at tu Myrore and Kamal Uveitis; at present, Hon. Prafevor of Mathenatics, Bangali University eMueurra ‘THE WORLD PRESS PRIVATE LTDapts hat © cnerafie 1907, THe Wont Panes Pasvars Lown 17 Coctzon Seamer, Cxicerr 12 Laman, 37 Covasoe Seem, Catcorr-I? a Pane fe ‘roe Azer Dasrorcs amas Moons Taba Pate 7 Waza Senonw Meusne Savant, Catronal? PREFACE A few years ago, in 1958, 1 published in the More Unieiy Pablctons Seer a book in Kanada, entiled “The History of Mathematics”, “The int part of thi work was devoted to concise history of world mathematics, while the second part was devoted to a elementary exposition oft history of ancient Indian Mathematics. The book, being writen ia Kannada, eas intended for the average lay man of the local atea, and hence it was out of place to go into details with full mathematical explanations. Since then, { had the ambition to rite a suitable book on the History fof Tadian Mathematicr in English, with adequate mathematical notes and explanations. Duc to various pre-occupstions and other ‘dreumatances, the book could not be completed fill now. 1 mow ‘vente to place this book before the mathematical world. ‘The oily available book on the History of Indian Mathematics is the book “Histocy of Hindu Mathematics” by B. B. Datta ard ALN, Singh, This was originally published in two volumes. ‘The two volumes have been published sagether recently by the dein Publishing Howse, Bombay. ‘The plan of the preset book difers shstantally from that of Datta and Singh. Datta and Singh's book ie in the form of a “SourceBook” where in diferent topich are ineated in the Hight of contebutions to them by different authors at different times, The prescat work is cnalepzal in its plan. Starting from the Vedic period, we bugia with an account of the mathematical work contained in the SelowSuras, in the ancient Jaina religious works, and in what is known as the Bakhsbali This brings ws ap to Arya Bhata (499 a0,). We then et forth the main contributions made by Arya Bhata, Brabroe ‘septa, Mahavira and Bhaskara in chronological order. Adequate ‘mathematical explanations and critieal remarks are included. ‘Two fimportant topics, the Kutta and the Varge-Prabiti Sure inthe mathematical works of more than one author. Hence thee two topics are dealt with separately, in chapters IX and X, where inthe relevant methods are explained, and the modifications suagested by‘he diferent authors are discussed. The last chapter of the book is devoted to pos Bhaskara mathematics, which may ss well be called Kerala mathematics, and is based on an article by CT. Rajagopal and Mukunda Marar published in Vol. 20 (1944) of the Jearal of 1h Raya Asiatic Scity (Bombay Branch) Vol. 1 of the frst part of Datta and Singh's book gives ai laborate account of the origin of the Indian numeral. This has ‘ot been treated in the present work, as Datta and Singh's bool ives all necesary information on this subject. In compiling this work, I have been indebted to many sources, Datta and Singh's hook mentioned above has been invaluable, ind has been the iain source of inspiration. The chapter om the ‘Silea Sures has beeo largely based on BB, Datta's “The Science of the Sulba’ Golebrooke' tasslation with notes of Brahmagupta’s Bras Splata Siddhaie and Bhaskara's jagenie, ax abo. H.C. Baneree’s translation of the Lilpeti have heen quite wel. Hesides ‘hese, many orginal article by various authors in different mathe- ‘matical periodicals have been immensely made use of, aud broadly peaking, cis book has collected and presented natal form the mathematical matter found in these articles The book has been interspersed with orginal lokas or quotations ‘rom the Sansisit text, Direct translations or explanations of these slokas accompany the sokas, Se far, no chronological account of the contributions to mathe: by the ancient Indians as been available. "The author hopes that this book satisies a loogfelt want. The subjectmatter ‘sof course confined to pure mathernatict. A critical interpretation land estimate of the contributions of ancient Indians in the fl of astronomy is a subject which is yet to be properly understood and ‘written, N. Satsevasnenaase CONTENTS 1 1 um. wv. v. ML vu. vu, xt xu. “The Decimal System of Numeration “The Sloe Sutras ‘The Mathematics ofthe Jaioas “The Batisali Manuscript ‘Arya Bhata Brahmagupta Mahaviracharya Bhaskar Katiahe Varge-Prakaili, or the equation of the multiplied square Miscellaneous Equations Tndian Mathematics, ater Bhaskara 1s o9 20-28 9-99 036 69 70-78 ceed 95-109 earn 1214 5157