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Jai Singh's astronomical observatory may look like a giant playground for grownups, but in
1734, the year of its completion, it was the last outpost of medieval science. The observatory's
eighteen fixed observational instruments are sighting devices which measure the position of the
sun, stars and planets. Some are built entirely of masonry, others are engraved metal rings and
plates set into masonry foundations.
During the day, masonry sundials cast the sun's shadow on a suitably engraved scale. A sundial
has two functional parts: a gnomon, which is the part that casts the shadow, and a scale, from
which the measurement is read. For example, in the instruments in the photo, the gnomon is an
inclined ramp, and the scale is engraved on the circular part below the ramp. The sun, to the
right, casts the gnomon's shadow on the curved scale to the left.
Metal instruments are used for nighttime observations. They consist of a small sighting tube
attached to a circular ring or plate which can pivot in various directions. They are operated by
aiming the sighting tube directly at a planet or star, and then reading off its position from scales
on the body of the instrument.
Some instruments could be used for both daytime and nighttime observations. More information
about this and other aspects of the observatory can be found in the Additional Resources below.
For all this to work, the position and orientation of the instruments and the calibration of their
scales had to be minutely exact. The devices were built large, because the larger the scale, the
more accurate the measurement. Once built and calibrated, they were fixed in place, could not be
moved, and contained no moving parts (except of course for the pivots of the sighting
instruments) or lenses. This restricted the kinds of observations that could be carried out, to those
involving the positions and motions of the heavenly bodies which are visible to the naked eye.
Such observations are no different in principle from those carried out in ancient Babylon,
although they are considerably more accurate, and some of Jai Singh's instruments are original in
design. Basically, however, this is how astronomy was done in early Mesopotamia, Egypt,
Greece, China, and everywhere in the world, from the dawn of civilization down to the end of
the Middle Ages.
The projects carried out here included calculating the lunar calendar, predicting the start of the
monsoon season, and creating astronomical tables. However, the observatory's main purpose
seems to have been casting horoscopes, which requires a precise knowledge of the positions of
the sun, moon, planets, and stars at the moment of birth.
Because of the size and careful construction of these instruments, their accuracy was impressive
by any standard. However, devices of this sort are expensive to construct. Once built, they can
not be corrected or improved, and the kinds of observations they can make are limited, in the
ways previously mentioned. Because of this, the instruments preserved here were conceptually
obsolete even before their construction. They were soon overtaken in both usefulness and
accuracy by the smaller machined brass instruments and telescopes of the modern era. Their
lasting value is the tangible record they carry, a summing-up in mortar and stone of 2,500 years
of premodern astronomy.
Jai Singh
Sawai Jai Singh, the first Maharaja of Jaipur, succeeded to the throne of Amber in 1700 at the
age of thirteen. Abandoning that capital, he founded the city of Jaipur in 1727. A soldier, ruler,
and scholar with a lifelong interest in mathematics and astronomy, Jai Singh built observatories
in Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Mathura and Benares. Jai Singh was conversant with contemporary
European astronomy through his contacts with the Portugese Viceroy in Goa. He supplied
corrections to the astronomical tables of de la Hire, and published his own tables in 1723. The
good state of preservation of the Jaipur observatory is due first of all to Chandra Dhar Sharma
Guleri, who restored it in 1901. It has been well maintained from then to the present day.
Jantar Mantar
Jantar means "instrument." Mantar (the same word as "mantra") is usually translated
"formula," but here it means "calculation." So, "Jantar Mantar" means something like
"instrument for calculation."
Additional Resources
Basic Celestial Phenomena, by Kerry Magruder and Mike Keas. A good introduction to basic
observational astronomy including the ecliptic, the celestial equator, and the zodiac.
Jantar Mantar (1996), by Dr. Bonnie G. MacDougall at Cornell U. The Web version of an
academic paper that places the observatory in its cultural context.
Astronomical Instruments, from the Jiva Institute, discusses ten of the instruments and their
mode of operation.
Astronomical Observatory of Jaipur, by Daulat Singh Rajawat. Delta Publications, Jaipur, India.
This book is sold near the observatory and elsewhere in Jaipur. It provides a useful and engaging
description of the theory and practice of the observatory from a Vedic point of view.
Transcript
ofAt that moment its gnomon point towards the pole ofecliptic and its
guardant become parallel to the ecliptic.ecliptic and its guardant become
parallel to the ecliptic.Rasivalaya were also invented by Jai Singh. A
particularRasivalaya were also invented by Jai Singh. A particularRasivalaya
instrument become operative when first pointRasivalaya instrument become
operative when first pointof sign of the zodiac it represents approaches theof
sign of the zodiac it represents approaches themeridian.meridian.The
Rasivalaya are a set of 12 instruments based on theThe Rasivalaya are a set
of 12 instruments based on theprinciple of samarat yantra are designed for
directlyprinciple of samarat yantra are designed for directlymeasuring the
latitude and longitude of a celestial object.measuring the latitude and
longitude of a celestial object.
35. Narivalaya YantraNarivalaya Yantra
36. On the vernal equinox and the autumnal equinoxOn the vernal equinox
and the autumnal equinoxthe rays of the sun fall parallel to two opposingthe
rays of the sun fall parallel to two opposingfaces This is an effective tool for
demonstrating theThis is an effective tool for demonstrating thepassage of
sun across the celestial equator.passage of sun across the celestial equator.
Jai Singh built Nadivalays at each hisJai Singh built Nadivalays at each
hisobservatory site except Delhi.observatory site except Delhi. After the sun
has crossed the equator around 21After the sun has crossed the equator
around 21March its illuminate the northern face for sixthMarch its illuminate
the northern face for sixthmonths. After 21 September it is the
southernmonths. After 21 September it is the southernface that receives the
rays of the sun for the nextface that receives the rays of the sun for the
nextsix months.six months.of plates and illuminate them both. Otherfaces
of plates and illuminate them both. Othertime only one or other face remains
in the sun.time only one or other face remains in the sun.
37. The main function of theThe main function of theinstrument is to
measure time.instrument is to measure time. This is the largest
instrumentThis is the largest instrumentin the world for its kind.in the world
for its kind.Instrument is built for theInstrument is built for thelatitude of
Jaipur as there arelatitude of Jaipur as there are27 degree making between
the27 degree making between thezenith and the pole.zenith and the pole.
Orientation of the pillars isOrientation of the pillars issuch that the line joining
themsuch that the line joining themmakes an angle of about 23makes an
angle of about 23degree with the plane ofdegree with the plane
ofmeridian.meridian. Great astrolabe is suspendedGreat astrolabe is
suspendedfrom massive wooden beamfrom massive wooden beamsupported
by tall pillars.supported by tall pillars.Yantra RajYantra Raj
38. Krantiwrita YantraKrantiwrita YantraThis is the unfinished structure and
has twoThis is the unfinished structure and has twocircular plates. Both the
plates have a scalecircular plates. Both the plates have a scalewhich is divide
in degrees.which is divide in degrees.
39. Unnatasha YantraUnnatasha Yantra
40. The rim of the brass circle has graduations marked in such away that
smallest division is a tenth of a degree. The largerdivisions of 1 degree and of
6 degrees are also marked on thecircle. After sighting the celestial object, its
Altitude can be readfrom the position of the pointer.The large graduated
arecentre at the axis of cylindrical walls. The scales aredivided into degree
and minutes.divided into degree and minutes. Cylindrical structure of Rama
Yantra is open at the topCylindrical structure of Rama Yantra is open at the
topand its height equals its radius.and its height equals its radius. This
yantra is used to measure the azimuth and altitudeThis yantra is used to
measure the azimuth and altitudeof a celestial object, for example sun.of a
celestial object, for example sun. The Rama yantra, probably named after
Rama SinghThe Rama yantra, probably named after Rama SinghThe
grandfather of Jai Singh.The grandfather of Jai Singh.
49. JANTAR MANTAR UJJAINJANTAR MANTAR UJJAIN
50. Daksinottara BittiDaksinottara Bitti
51. Daksinottara BittiDaksinottara BittiDaksinottara Bitti yantra consists of
aDaksinottara Bitti yantra consists of agraduated quadrant or a semicircle
inscribedgraduated quadrant or a semicircle inscribedon a north-south wall.
At the centre of the areon a north-south wall. At the centre of the areis a
horizontal rod. The instrument is used foris a horizontal rod. The instrument is
used formeasuring the meridian attitude or the zenithmeasuring the meridian
attitude or the zenithdistance of an object such as the sun, the moondistance
of an object such as the sun, the moonor a planet.or a planet.
52. Samarat YantraSamarat Yantra
53. SANKUDIGAMASA
54. Cross wires are stretched between the coordinal points markedCross
wires are stretched between the coordinal points markedover the outer wall.
The observer uses one or more stringsover the outer wall. The observer uses
one or more stringswith one end tied to a knob on the pillar and other end to
stonewith one end tied to a knob on the pillar and other end to stonepebbles
suspended over the walls, with these strings thepebbles suspended over the
walls, with these strings theobserver defines a vertical plane contain the
cross wire and theobserver defines a vertical plane contain the cross wire and
theobject in the sky. The angular distance of the vertical planeobject in the
sky. The angular distance of the vertical planefrom the north point, read on
the scales indicate the azimuth offrom the north point, read on the scales
indicate the azimuth ofbody.body. Its centre pillar as well as its wall are
engraved in degrees andIts centre pillar as well as its wall are engraved in
degrees andnumbers at their top level.numbers at their top level. This
consists of two cylindrical wall surrounding a centreThis consists of two
cylindrical wall surrounding a centrepillar measure the angle of azimuth of a
celestial body.pillar measure the angle of azimuth of a celestial
body.Digmasa YantraDigmasa Yantra
55. Jantar Mantar at VaranasiJantar Mantar at Varanasi
56. Some Glimpses of Jantar Mantar Varanasi
57. Some Glimpses of Jantar Mantar Varanasi
58. Unidentified structureUnidentified structure Daksinottara
BhittiDaksinottara Bhitti Cakra YantraCakra Yantra NadivalayaNadivalaya
DigamsaDigamsa Samarat YantraSamarat YantraJantar Mantar at
VaranasiJantar Mantar at VaranasiObservatory at Vanarasi has following
Instruments:Observatory at Vanarasi has following Instruments:
59. SMRAT YANTRA --------><------ DIGAMSA YANTRA
60. <----- Nadivalaya YantraSamarat Yantra ---------->