Great Scientists

GREAT INDIANS...!!!
ARYABHATT
(476 CE) MASTER ASTRONOMER AND MATHEMATICIAN

Born in 476 CE in Kusumpur ( Bihar ), Aryabhatt's intellectual brilliance remapped the boundaries
of mathematics and astronomy. In 499 CE, at the age of 23, he wrote a text on astronomy and an
unparallel treatise on mathematics called "Aryabhatiyam." He formulated the process of
calculating the motion of planets and the time of eclipses. Aryabhatt was the first to proclaim
that the earth is round, it rotates on its axis, orbits the sun and is suspended in space - 1000
years before Copernicus published his heliocentric theory. He is also acknowledged for
calculating p (Pi) to four decimal places: 3.1416 and the sine table in trigonometry. Centuries
later, in 825 CE, the Arab mathematician, Mohammed Ibna Musa credited the value of Pi to the
Indians, "This value has been given by the Hindus." And above all, his most spectacular
contribution was the concept of zero without which modern computer technology would have
been non-existent. Aryabhatt was a colossus in the field of mathematics.



BHASKARACHARYA II
(1114-1183 CE)
GENIUS IN ALGEBRA

Born in the obscure village of Vijjadit (Jalgaon) in Maharastra, Bhaskaracharya's work in Algebra,
Arithmetic and Geometry catapulted him to fame and immortality. His renowned mathematical
works called "Lilavati" and "Bijaganita" are considered to be unparalled and a memorial to his
profound intelligence. Its translation in several languages of the world bear testimony to its
eminence. In his treatise "Siddhant Shiromani" he writes on planetary positions, eclipses,
cosmography, mathematical techniques and astronomical equipment. In the "Surya Siddhant" he
makes a note on the force of gravity: "Objects fall on earth due to a force of attraction by the
earth. Therefore, the earth, planets, constellations, moon, and sun are held in orbit due to this
attraction." Bhaskaracharya was the first to discover gravity, 500 years before Sir Isaac Newton.
He was the champion among mathematicians of ancient and medieval India . His works fired the
imagination of Persian and European scholars, who through research on his works earned fame
and popularity.



VARAHAMIHIR (499-587 CE)
EMINENT ASTROLOGER AND ASTRONOMERA

renowned astrologer and astronomer who was honored with a special decoration and status as
one of the nine gems in the court of King Vikramaditya in Avanti ( Ujjain ). Varahamihir's book
"panchsiddhant" holds a prominent place in the realm of astronomy. He notes that the moon and
planets are lustrous not because of their own light but due to sunlight. In the "Bruhad Samhita"
and "Bruhad Jatak," he has revealed his discoveries in the domains of geography, constellation,
science, botany and animal science. In his treatise on botanical science, Varamihir presents
cures for various diseases afflicting plants and trees. The rishi-scientist survives through his
unique contributions to the science of astrology and astronomy.