Course

Mathematics - Mathematics in India - From Vedic Period to Modern Times

Indian Institute of Technology Bombay

The Course would cover the development of mathematical ideas and techniques , starting from the Vedic period to modern times. While the treatment would be historical, we would be focusing mainly on the mathematical contents of various texts. We would be covering topics such as –the discussion of numbers in the Vedas, details of construction of geometrical figures and altars as given in Sulvasutras, discovery of zero and the place value system, and also details of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry and combinatorics, as discussed in the works of Aryabhata, Brahmagupta, Mahavira, Bhaskaracharya and Narayana Pandita. Development of ideas and techniques of calculus and spherical trigonometry as found in the Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics will also be discussed. Detailed proofs of mathematical results as contained in the famous work Yuktibhasa will be presented. At the end of the course, we briefly sketch the development of mathematics in modern India , especially highlighting the workof Srinivasa Ramanujan which seems to be in continuation both in methods and philosophy, with several aspects of the older tradition of mathematics in India.

Course Lectures