The origin of geometry in India
Subtitle: a study in the Śulbasūtras
By: by Ramkrishma Bhattacharya
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
Published: 2019
Place of publication: Newcastle upon Tyne
Language: eng
Number of pages: 209
ISBN-13: 9781527530942
Copyright date: 2019
Subjects: Śulvasūtras; Geometry; History
Description: This book is the first complete study of the origin of geometry in India. In Ancient India, brick-built fire-altars (citi-s) were ordained for the Soma sacrifice, a Vedic rite, which led to the compilation of rule-books for making and arranging bricks. These volumes, called Śulbasūtra-s, represent the first available texts of both geometry and mensuration, and were composed from 600 BCE, although the actual practice goes back to c. 1500 BCE. This book begins by detailing the history of geometry in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece, and shows that geometry everywhere starts with brick-built structures, rather than the measurement of land. It emphasizes that geometry in India, unlike in Greece, was side-based rather than angle-based. The text is profusely illustrated.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 152-157).
Table of contents: title: Intro; Dedication; Contents; Preface; Acknowledgements; List of Abbreviations; Part 1; Chapter One; Chapter Two; Chapter Three; Chapter Four; Chapter Five; Chapter Six; Chapter Seven; Chapter Eight; Chapter Nine; Part 2; Chapter Ten; Chapter Eleven; Chapter Twelve; Chapter Thirteen; Chapter Fourteen; Chapter Fifteen; Chapter Sixteen; Chapter Seventeen; Works Cited; Figures and Tables