Developments in Mathematics

In mathematics, the period saw, in the fifth century, a work called Aryabhatiya written by Aryabhata who belonged to Pataliputra. It appears that this mathematician was well versed in various kinds of calculations.

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Aryabhata displays an awareness of both the zero system and the decimal system.

A Gupta inscription of AD 448 from Allahabad district suggests that the decimal system was known in India at the beginning of the fifth century.

Whatever be the exact mode of development, what emerged in the Gupta period is a powerful school of arithmetic, algebra and numerals.

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The formulations became the basis for astronomical calculations to the extent that the great astronomers of the period such as Brahmagupta, Varahamihira and Aryabhatta were known as mathematicians as well as astronomers.

Developments in Astronomy

In the field of astronomy, a book called Romaka Sidhanta was compiled, its title indicating that it was influenced by Greek and Roman ideas.

Aryabhatta, born in 476 A.D., was the greatest astronomer of the Gupta period. It was his firm belief that the earth was rotating, and the heavens resting. He also gave a scientific explanation for the occurrence of eclipses as opposed to the prevailing ideas that Rahu and Ketu caused eclipses.

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Another great achievement to Aryabhatta’s credit was the construction of trigonometric tables. He computed trigonometric tables geometrically and used the values of ‘sine’ and ‘cosine’ in his astronomical calculations. Besides these, he developed formulas for the sum of arithmetic and geometric series, and worked out the sum of series.

Aryabhatta was followed by Varahamihira (born 505 A.D.), who recorded the works of Aryabhatta and older astronomical findings in his classic work Brihatasamhita.

Developments in Medicine

During the Gupta period, the process of distillation and the use of disinfectants was discovered by Nagarjuna.

Smallpox vaccination was also introduced.

The most important works were the Charaka Samhita by Charaka and the Sushruta Samhita by Susruta.

The surgical field also noticed a rise as the doctors could amputate and improve deformed ears and noses. Numerous surgical instruments were developed.

Developments in Metallurgy

The Gupta craftsmen distinguished themselves by their work in iron and bronze.

Bronze images of the Buddha began to be produced on a considerable scale because of the knowledge the smiths had of advanced metal technology.

With regard to iron objects, the best example is the iron pillar found at Mehrauli in Delhi. Manufactured in the fourth century AD, the pillar has not gathered any rust over the subsequent fifteen centuries which is a great tribute to the technological skill of the craftsmen, although the arid conditions in Delhi may also have contributed to its preservation.

It was impossible to produce such a pillar in any iron foundry in the West until about a century ago. It is a pity that the later Indian craftsmen could not develop this knowledge further.

External link: https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/12192/1/Unit-4.pdf