Artificial Intelligence – can it be useful for archaeology, anthropology, history and related subjects?

Artificial Intelligence – can it be useful for archaeology, anthropology, history and related subjects?

What is artificial intelligence?: Simply, it is the “intelligence,” that is “artificial,” virtual and imaginary and thus, not real. When, “intelligence,” brainpower and acumen become artificial, man loses his mental power. Then, who is acquiring that “intelligence other than man? Machine, man-created machine only replaces. However, again, man only controls the computer giving inputs to create such AI. However, the man knows how even another man is controlled through “brain control, brainwashing” etc., either by inducement or threat. A master-slave example is applied for many exigencies with positive and negative connotations and applications. Accordingly, the application of AI is subjected to limitations.

Doing a job, again and again, mechanical and robotics: A robot is considered as human substitute that could do some specific work, as per the computer software program. In industries, wherever, repetitive processes were there, they were controlled to be carried on again and again by man-operated machine, switch, timer and later with computer. Gears and continuously rotating parts are replaced with software programs, where, many processes are repeated. Thus, profile cutting machines have already been used in electrical, electronic and mechanical industries. Slowly, more processes were brought under the computerized control. In the design and development processes of many industries, they are frequently used. In Textiles, garments and related industries, they become essential, as they do such jobs easily with software manipulation. For FMG, its role becomes far and wide. Now, the film, media and ad-companies exploit the maximum.

AI could bring more profits to Internet-dependent companies: Artificial intelligence leverages computers and machines to mimic the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of the human mind[1]. However, it is not simply man-created robots imitating man, but, more than that in many cases.

• Artificial intelligence (AI) is the intelligence of machines or software, as opposed to the intelligence of humans or other animals. It is a field of study in computer science that develops and studies intelligent machines.
• AI technology is widely used throughout industry, government, and science. Some high-profile applications are: advanced web search engines (e.g., Google Search), recommendation systems (used by YouTube, Amazon, and Netflix), understanding human speech (such as Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa), self-driving cars (e.g., Waymo), generative and creative tools (ChatGPT and AI art), and superhuman play and analysis in strategy games (such as chess and Go).
• The companies involved in the Internet business directly or indirectly, are very much interested in this field, as the more time man spends on it, the more usage and the more income and profits to them (manufacturers and service providers).

What will happen to the buyers, users and consumers?: With the internet, many of students (from pre-KG to PhD) stopped reading books and just “google” and get prepared for exams. For project work etc., they just copy Wiki[2]. With the rise of mobiles, they virtually become slaves and affecting the human relations. More Internet usage, more men turning to cyber, cyber crimes have also started increasing. Of course, money has been the target, for that all ethics and morals are sacrificed. Thus, unimaginable crimes are committed affecting humanity. It is not that one community, nation, country or continent, but, the whole world gets affected.

India required “demythologization” and not more mythologization through AI: What is important in Indian/Bharat history today is not further mythologization, but the retrieval or recovery of science and technology from such myths. Such a method is called demythologization. At Somnathapuram, the linga was floating, and it was a scientific technique. Here, historically, there is no myth or falsehood. Though, even historians like Romila Thapar have mentioned it, they could not explain the scientific aspect, as they do not know it. Magnetic levitation refers to the floating of an object without the aid of any other object, but only by the magnetic force of like poles repelling each other. It is noteworthy that this technology has now extended to trains as well. German trains called Maglev (derived from magnetic levitation) fly like this. A magnetic levitation or floating train is a train that can float without the help of wheels through magnetic levitation technology. When it starts crawling, not all of its parts hit the ground. The speed of these trains going on the magnetic track can exceed 580 kilometres per hour. In the same way, the science and technology behind the Indian material culture can be explained.

The demythologization of Indian history is more important than AI-sponsored pictures: In ancient India, the process of rewriting the epics was started by various vested groups, before the various impacts caused by foreign invasions in Bharat. Jains-Buddhists in particular had rewritten them with many interpolations to show off their antiquity. In other words, they added a narrative of Tirtankaras and Buddhas made available in every yuga[3]. This is why there are so many slokas in Ramayana and Mahabharata increasing from one recension to another. Again the slokas were added when those who learned and realized the legends and tried to remove them, i.e. to change the matters which had already come into prevalent, known and recorded in the manuscripts. First, they tried to give a proper explanation so that such contradictions were understood and ignored. Rewriting, expurgation and editing processes were involved in such correcting processes. Such interchanges ranged from the Jain period to the medieval Muslim and 19^th century colonial periods.

Disadvantages of Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence cannot create new myths by putting on a scientific mask and technical masquerade in methods like pseudo-science, and alchemy. Already now scientific researches like DNA and genetics have been diverted by ideological delusions[4], hybrids with their likes and dislikes. In graphics, models, pictures, films etc. have already been realistically captured and available in circulation. Although somewhat reflective of the real situation, more fictional characters were created. But artificial intelligence is turning real historical heroes into fictional characters. Gods, who are already worshipped as idols, as deities in sanctum sanctorum, are transformed by artificial intelligence into some sort of living human beings. Thus, even the remnants of reality that exist today will eventually disappear or be denied by the ignorant one day.

Commercialization of Science and Technology: Now many people are working to commercialize using the current technologies as how to make money in a short period of time by increasing internet usage. That is, especially in a country like India where there are 140 crore people, even if one crore or just one lakh people become buyers for a product, the manufacturer or seller will get considerable income and profit. So, keeping it in mind, they use their new and novel aggressive campaign tactics. For that, they need advertisement and publicity vigorously. They don’t even bother about quality, standards, efficiency, etc. in such unethical and unspiritual business. Therefore, even when education, textbooks, teachers who teach them; schools and universities come, the idea that anyone should read and study the sources becomes less important in terms of need, status and benefits. That’s why there are so many people who just study and get marks in some subject and qualified, go to work, earn and live comfortably. So in that case, no one seems to care if he says, “Go and read the sources and write with evidence.”

Caution about AI: There is concern about the increase in malpractice in the field of scientific research[5]. As shown by various institutions and studies, institutional, economic and cultural factors have encouraged an increase in cases of professional malpractice including fraud, corruption, plagiarism, conflicts of interest, financial doping, improper attribution, illicit appropriation of ideas, concepts and results, influence peddling, falsification of evidence, data manipulation, exaggeration of results, lack of protection of research subjects, misappropriation or misuse of resources, the commodification of knowledge, use of phantom sources, nepotistic or inbred citation, improper or fraudulent use of information. The researchers have also pointed out that, “Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a double-edged sword for scientific research. While, on one hand, the incredible potential of AI and the different techniques and technologies for using it make it a product coveted by all scientific research centres and organisations and science funding agencies. On the other, the highly negative impacts that its irresponsible and self-interested use is causing, or could cause, make it a controversial tool, attracting strong criticism from those involved in the different sectors of research…”

Limitations of usage to archaeology, anthropology and related subjects: About the usage of AI for archaeology, anthropology and allied subjects has been discussed and debated, because of the advantages and disadvantages involved[6]. The easy availability of Machine Language (ML) algorithms and lack of expertise on their proper use among the anthropological research community has led to foundational misapplications that have appeared throughout the literature. The resulting unreliable results not only undermine efforts to legitimately incorporate ML into anthropological research, but produce potentially faulty understandings about our human evolutionary and behavioural past[7].

1. Why don’t the AI experts try to analyze and decipher the Indus Valley pictograms, signs or fonts with their artificial intelligence?

2. There are many chronological puzzles in Indian history, why not solve them with their machine language and artificial intelligence?

3. Those who earn money by singing Ramayana and enjoying discourses, can solve the problem of such chronological issues faithfully?

4. Those who are disputing and fighting about Advaita-Dvaitam etc., can bring them under timelines acceptable to commonman?

5. By the application of AI for religious depiction, in an attempt to humanize the gods, they turn them into dehumanized cute cartoon characters only.

6. Therefore, they have to act as a tool to break counter-ideologies and not to be in a position to feed them.

7. What is important in Indian history today is not the mythologization of the existing, but, demythologization, scientifically.

8. But the science and technology contained in the Vedangas, Itihasas, Puranas etc.,  is to be restored and given to the people in an understandable way.

9. There is no need to create new historical problems without solving existing historical and archaeological issues and contradictions.

10. Artificial Intelligence should not become some sort of pseudo-science, alchemy, etc.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

17-01-2024

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[1] https://www.ibm.com/topics/artificial-intelligence

[2]  In fact, I have also referred to Wiki to understand the fundamentals, later to proceed to read other research papers in the context.

[3] Even in Ramayana period, Hains and Buddhists were found. The dates of Titankaras are traced back to Kaliyuga. In Buddhism, buddhas were there in every aeon.

[4]  In spite of “Out of Africa,” theory, Neanderthal exists and the so-called “Aryan-Dravidian” hypotheses and theories continue in India.

[5] González Esteban, Elsa, and Patrici Calvo. “Ethically governing artificial intelligence in the field of scientific research and innovation.” Heliyon 8 (2022) e08946, 2022.

[6] Tenzer, Martina, et al. “Debating AI in archaeology: applications, implications, and ethical considerations.”, 2023.

[7] Calder, Jeff, et al. “Use and misuse of machine learning in anthropology.” IEEE BITS the Information Theory Magazine 2.1 (2022): 102-115.

The question of Tamil numeral, number, number system, mathematics and historical evidences (2)

The question of Tamil numeral, number, number system, mathematics and historical evidences (2)

Asthanakolahalam, a mathematical book compiled in Tamil (1940) published in Madras in 1951: “Asthanakolahalam,” a Tamil mathematical work acknowledges that the mathematics contained in that work was derived from Aryabhata, Bhaskaracharya etc. In fact, it mentions many Indian mathematicians and gives details of them also[1]. It contains 56 poems and one “Invocation to God” added last, thus, totally 57 poems of various metres, venba, kalippa etc. The commentator Thirumalai Sree Saila Sarma has given elaborate explanation with illustrations and diagram. The General editor gives interesting details and difficulties he faced in publishing that manuscript in the book form[2].

Ancient Hindus followed this method (11)

The methods told by Sridhara, Bhaskaracharya and other pundits (12)

The methods of Bhasaracharya are proofs (26)

The principles of circle, diameter, radius, circumsference and their relations etc., have been explained by the great mathematicians, Aryabhata, Varahamihira and earlier,Surya, Vyasa, Parasara and others.  They have taken  diameter 20,000 and circumference 62832 as standards to get the value of π =  3.1623. however, Sridhara takes π = √10 (53)

The names of sine, cosine etc., are given as bujjaya, kotijya etc (53)

Vruddharyabhata, Paushrushkara grantha, their commentaries etc. Nilakanta Somasutva, Madhava are mentioned (54-57). Even their dates are given. Therefore, it is evident that the author was well aware of the fact that the Sanskrit works were translated, circulated and used in Tamilnadu. In other states, it is well-known that the works of Aryabhata, Bhaskaracharya, Lalla and others have been translated and used. In fact, in Kerala, there was an astronomical school flourished separately[3].

Asthanakolahalam, a mathematical book compiled in Tamil published in Madras in 2004: The book published by the Saraswati Mahal based on the three available manuscripts, has been totally different from that of the one brought out by the Madras Oriental Library. The manuscript contains 92 poems of different text, easily understandable. Here, the name of the author is given as Nalliyamperumal, son of Nagan, Madurai, probably giving credit to Madurai, the mythical capital of Sangams[4]. This has only entertainment value than historical or research. The name “Asthanakolahalam” means, to make happy, jovial and cheery in the royal audience place[5]. The Madras 1952 edition contains 57 poems, 56 and 1 the “invocation” added last, instead of appearing in the beginning. Te poems are difficulty read and understand, that too, they have been couched with mathematical puzzles, riddles and calculations. The editor T.S.S. Sarma contributed his mite by explaining arithmetical nuances and giving mathematical illustrations and also the history of Indian mathematics and mathematicians.

In Tamil, why the numerals were not found in the inscriptions till the medieval period?: During the material period – till 18^th century, there was no dichotomy of Tamil and Sanskrit among the academics and hence, this problem was never arisen and discussed. From Parameswara Varman, Nandi Varman, Kannara Devan, Krishnan, onwards how the Pallava grantha was evolved turning Tamil script into Vattezhuttu.  As the Brahmi script was used and Indian numbers used, such necessity was not felt. Inscriptions point out that Salliya-kriyai was performed with the knowledge of Shusrutha Samhitha, implying that medicine was taught in Sanskrit. That Somadeva Yajvan of Gangaikonda Cholapuram had written a commentary on Ariyabhatiyam proves the teaching of mathematics and astronomy in Sanskrit. Thus, for academic curriculum, particularly, for learning medicine and technology, the Sanskrit books were used. After the advent of the “Tanittamizh movement” only such separateness was anticipated, invented and interpreted with forceful arguments, emotional urges and Tamil linguistic chauvinism. The poetic dictum[6], “(Tamil) race / people appeared on the earth, even before the advent of the sand and the stone on the earth,” had haunted and daunted during such propagandistic period. Thus, a myth was floated that the Tamil language was the first language to be evolved on the earth and all other languages appeared out of it. Thus, the Tamils had been the first race of people, creators of all arts, sciences and technologies on the earth. This has been affecting the linguistic chauvinist and neo-racist groups  and they have the worst tactics of attacking, abusing and blaspheming the others who do not subscribe to this hypothesis. The do not want to discuss issues with historical evidences, but, with emotional outbursts.

Arabic numbers to Hindu-Arabic numbers to Indian numbers: Now, the world has accepted that the decimal system with counting numbers from 0 to 9 has been originated only in India and the Indian numerals are used by all. Earlier, they were mentioned as “Arabic numbers,” and then, “Hindu-Arabic numbers” and no Indian numbers. Nowadays, research is done just to get grants stealing ideas from many sources and pooling together, without going into the details. And yet, great claims are made of achieving everything on earth, flying to sky and counting the stars! It is related to the script, its antiquity, history and paleography. Bibhutibhusan Datta and Avadhesh Narayan Singh constructed the chart in 1935, after studying inscriptions from 3^rd cent BCE. Here, the Tamil numbers are not found, because till medieval period, they did not appear[7]. This system of symbols originated in the central Indian city of Gwalior and has been dated back to the year 876 CE. In 2013, math writer Alex Bellos traveled to India to witness one of the oldest zeroes. The number 270 appears in the center of this image of a ninth-century inscription in a temple in Gwalior, India. [Photo courtesy of Alex Bellos used in the blog].

From the Cholas period onwards, full-fledged methods followed: During the Cholas’ period, as the land was measured for taxation, the mathematical calculations increased. Surveyors, tax collectors, accountants and treasurers were specifically appointed. Of course, their maritime and oversea expeditions are too well-known to be repeated and they were possible only with the subjects of coastal / stellar navigation, seasonal / cyclic winds, boat and shipbuilding and related multifarious disciplines inked with the temple building, tank construction, water distribution etc. With the temple building activities, all working forces related to stone, metal, wood, chemicals and other materials had respective disciplines developed with books. All these had resulted in the schools and colleges developed with the temples attached to temples. In Sanskrit literature, there had been a differentiation of Vedas and Vedangas, thus, Vedangas were studied by all, as such subjects were to be learned and applied by common people. In Tamil, the literature of Sangam and Post-Sangam periods had / have been purely literature and not dealing with any technical subject. The manuscripts of such literature only repeatedly and continuously copied, produced and percolated. Had there been other manuscripts and popular, then, they would have been also circulated in the same manner. As the Sanskrit literary references were found in the inscriptions, it is evident that whether Jains or non-Jains or other believing sects had Sanskrit manuscripts, to carry out the academic curriculum.

Research, historical research should be honest: Research, the pursuit of finding historical truth and related activities cannot be carried out with bias, prejudice and preconceived ideas. If the learned persons are pitted against each other with ideologies, then, that would be affecting their mindset and affect the research, research methodology and the source materials also. That is why the tendency of “selective methodology” has come., i.e, choosing any archaeological, numismatic, epigraphical and ther evidences only that are favourable to them and ignoring or suppressing the others (that are not favourable to their research.) Here, it is evident that they have been doing research with decided result and not to find out the truth or balanced truth, as the historians claim that they do not require any objectivity. In Indian and in particular, Tamilnadu, the “Aryan-Dravidian,” “Sanskrit-Tamil,” “North-south,” “Brahmin-anti-brahmin” and such other hypotheses and theories have still been working in the minds of certain historians, experts and ideologies and that make the others to be sitting apart. Indians of all states have to work together, as they cannot live without depending upon the people of other states. Ironically, some non-Indians have also aiding and abetting such tendencies, as they cannot be brought under any Indian laws. Therefore, let the researchers be open-minded, read all the sources and decide finally.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

14-05-2020

[1] Thirumalai Sree Saila Sarma, Asthana Kolahalam, Maras Government Oriental series No.III, Madras, 1951,

[2]  The present edition is based on the single palm-leaf manuscript presented to Govt. Oriental Manuscripts Library in 1921-22 by Mr. Sankaravenkataramayyangar of Periyakulam. This Manuscript has been described under R. No. 507. The size’of the manuscript is 16 ½ x 1 5/8 inches. This contains 84 pages having 6 lines on a page. This is a treatise on Mathematics calculations in Tamil in this country are of a special nature having separate symbols for various fractions. People knowing these symbols are very few. Hence I had much difficulty in getting this book edited by a competent person, who knows both ancient modern methods of calculation. The same difficulty was experienced by me in getting a printer – Only two presses were -prepared to take up this work as it involved the special casting of a number of symbols peculiar to Tamil Arithmetic.

[3] K. V. Sarma, A History of Kerala School of Hindu Astronomy (in perspective), Vishveshvaranand Institute, Hoshiapur, 1972.

[4] The Tamil scholars have exoressed their doubts about the existence of three Sangams, as detailed in the introduction of “Iraiynar Agapporul,” a medieval Tamil work.

[5] K. Sathyabhama (Gen.Ed), Asthanakolahalam, Thanjavur Maharaja Sarboji Saraswati Mahal Library, Publication Nos.930, 1327 and 1475, Thanjavur, 2004.

[6] “பொய் அகல, நாளும் புகழ்விளைத்தல் என் வியப்பாம்?

வையகம் போர்த்த, வயங்கு ஒலி நீர் – கையகலக்

கல் தோன்றி மண் தோன்றாக் காலத்தே, வாளோடு

முன் தோன்றி மூத்த குடி!” – புறப்பொருள் வெண்பா மாலை – Purapporul Venbamalai, a 9^th CE grammar work.

[7] Datta, Bibhutibhusan, and Avadhesh Narayan Singh, History of Hindu Mathematics – a source book, Asia Publishing House, Bombay, 1935.

The question of Tamil numeral, number, number system and mathematics (1)

The question of Tamil numeral, number, number system and mathematics (1)

The oldest stone inscription featuring a numeral is the Tamil-Brahmi cave inscription from Tondur, near Gingee, in Villupuram district[1]: When I was preparing for a write-up on the Indian mathematician Ramanujan[2], I came across the news-item, “Ancient numbers in the land of Ramanujan” in “The Hindu,” contributed by Iravatham Mahadevan and M.V.Bhaskar. Though, it appeared in December 2011, as it has bearing on the Tamil numerals, it is taken up for discussion. It started with an interesting question, “How were numerals written in ancient times in the Tamil country, the land of Srinivasa Ramanujan, ‘The Man Who Knew Infinity’?”. Then, it went on – “Literary sources in Tamil mention numbers only in words. However, we do have ancient literary references specifically mentioning eN (‘numeral’) as distinguished from ezhuttu (‘letter of the alphabet,’ for example, Tolkappiyam 655.4, Tirukkural 392). But as palm leaf manuscripts decay with time and hardly last for more than 200 years, we have to turn to durable stone or pottery inscriptions to know what the ancient Tamil numerals looked like. We illustrate two of them here, one from each class (Figs. 1 & 2). The oldest stone inscription featuring a numeral is the Tamil-Brahmi cave inscription from Tondur, near Gingee, in Villupuram district, assigned to about the 3rd century C.E. (Fig. 1)[3]. The numeral 3 engraved at the end of a short two-line inscription in the cave is represented by three horizontal parallel lines[4]. The inscription records that the village of Agalur gifted three stone beds in the cave chiselled by Mosi. The gift was made to the Jaina monks resident in the cave. The village still exists with the same name Agalur, near Tondur, both of which still have sizeable Jaina populations. The numeral 3 has the same form as in contemporary Prakrit inscriptions in the Brahmi script in North India”. Thus, the learned writers have not informed the fact that neither the language was Tamil nor the script Tamil-Brahmi.

A number on the Pottery inscription: Then, they had taken the Alagankulam broken pottery bit, “A well-preserved pottery inscription from Alagankulam near Rameswaram has only the numeral incised in fairly large size (Fig. 2). The inscription is dated to the 1st or 2nd century C.E. The number is read 408, from right to left, following the ancient convention of reading the digits from the right (ankaanaam vaamato gatih). The first digit at right looking like the cross is the symbol for 4. It is followed by the symbol for 100 (resembling the Brahmi letter sa) and the last symbol at left is 8, incised in reversed direction. As there is no accompanying text, we do not know the significance of the number. The find is still interesting for the absence of the place-value system. The convention of using symbols for 10, 100, and 1000 in expressing the higher numerals was current in Tamil Nadu until the advent of printing and the adoption of the international form of Indian numerals with place-value system. The pottery inscription is also good evidence for widespread literacy, including numeracy, in the ancient Tamil country”.

What the news-item reveal: Iravatham Mahadevan and  M. V. Bhaskar have very carefully worded, but, they could not be free from their apologetic approach to interpret that the numerals found were Tamil.

1. Literary sources in Tamil mention numbers only in words, not in numerals.
2. They accept that – The numeral 3 has the same form as in contemporary Prakrit inscriptions in the Brahmi script in North India.
3. The oldest stone inscription featuring a numeral is the Tamil-Brahmi cave inscription from Tondur – the script is neither Tamil nor the number is Tamil.
4. Had the Tamil numeral was written, it should have been “௩ (3)” and not “≡”.
5. The Jains used Sanskrit / Prakrut and the Brahmi script.
6. In the same way, coming to the pottery script, the claim that, “The number is read 408, from right to left, following the ancient convention of reading the digits from the right (ankaanaam vaamato gatih)” is incorrect, because, Tamil is written from left to right.
7. अङ्कानां वामतो गतिः Nowhere such rule has been prescribed in the Tamil literature. And it is a wonder that, that they should take the help of “Aryan dictum” to prove the number was Tamil!
8. Moreover, those three numerals are not Tamil, but, Sanskrit and it has to be mentioned as “Indian.”
9. Had the Jains of the ancient Tamizhagam been Tamils or Tamil speaking and knowing, they would have inscribed “௪௦௮” and not in Brahmi – India numerals.
10. They accept that – The find is still interesting for the absence of the place-value system[5]. The convention of using symbols for 10, 100, and 1000 in expressing the higher numerals was current in Tamil Nadu until the advent of printing and the adoption of the international form of Indian numerals with the place-value system.
11. The Indian number system is called a place value system because the value of a digit depends on its position, or place, in a number. The number 408 has a different value than the number 804. Even though they use the same digits, their value is different because of the different placement of the 4 and the 0 and the 8.
12. And the Tamils never knew 0 and used till modern times.

With all these facts, they had cleverly manipulated and it was published in “The Hindu.” And the pro-Tamil enthusiastic bloggers and social media activists have been so happy to spread it with the claims that Tamil only invented decimal number system including zero.

The position of Tamil numerals: Now with the Keeladai dating, the antiquity of Tamil literature goes back to c.580 BCE.  Coming to the Tamil numerals, the following facts are noted and listed:

1. The “Sangam literature,” Ettuttogai and Pattuppattu do not mention any Tamil numeral[6].
2. The post-Tamil Sangam literature Padinenkizhkanakku and Imperum Kappiyangal do not record numerals in the Tamil language.
3. The fragmentary inscriptions [mentioned as Tamil-Brahmi] do not mention any numeral in Tamil till the 9^th-10^th centuries CE.
4. In Uttiramerur inscription of Partiva Varman dated to 10^th cent CE, a lengthy number is mentioned.
5. Then, in the inscription dated to 1204 CE of Kulutunga Cholan, some fractions are seen to be mentioned denoting to ¼, ½ and ⅛.
6. The 13^thCE poetry notes eight and quarter in words as ௮ = 8 and வ = ¼, i.e, the expressions, “Avalalkshnam” and “ettekal” are equated to bring out the meaning[7].
7. Therefore, from the period of “Sangam” to 9^th – 10^th centuries, no numeral in Tamil was used to represent numbers[8].
8. The fact is that the “Tamils” never had any numerals at all to be identified as numbers!
9. The notation of writing Tamil numerals has been as follows: ௦ (0), ௧ (1), ௨ (2), ௩ (3), ௪ (4), ௫ (5), ௬ (6), ௭ (7), ௮ (8), ௯ (9), ௰ (10)
10. They were widely used in the inscriptions from 10t-11^th centuries in the inscriptions.
11. Only “Kanakkathhikaram,” a Tamil mathematical work mentions all together[9]. Its author has been one Kari, Kari Nayanar and the work is dated to 15^thCE, considering the internal evidences[10]. He acknowledges that he composed the work only translating material from the Sanskrit works available during his time[11]. In other words, it can be said that for the science and technological works, Sanskrit works were used and hence, the common Indian numbers were followed for practical purposes.

Ironically, with the fragmentary inscriptions, the “Tamil researchers” have so far tried to prove Indian numerals as their numerals, as if the “Tamils” discovered separately.

Interestingly, the number 0 was never used as a numeral, but, in word. This usage came during the medieval period.

When the schools of mathematics and astronomy were existing in Cheranadu, why not in Tamizhagam?: R Champakalakshmi[12] virtually surveyed the secondary sources, but noted, “The educational system of this period was not organised institutionally, but was taught from kakkayar, āśiriyar, āśār, uvāttiyar) toö teacher (ka student in private collecting a group of students i.e. palli The main subjects taught and passed on by memory and also written down on Palm Leaf manuscripts were Grammar, Poetics and Mathematics and its ancillary Astronomy.” P. P. Divakaran, makes some passing references that Kerala was sanskritised so that the Mathematics and astronomy flourished there as Nila / Kerala school[13]. Al most, all researchers on the history of science and technology or Mathematics and Astronomy of South India or Sangam period have been perplexed about the absence of any “school” existing in Tamizhagam, when, the Kerala school was functioning well attracting many professors and mathematicians. Thus, a question arises as to, “When the schools of mathematics and astronomy were existing in Cheranadu, why not in Tamizhagam?” Who prevented or opposed such a system in the Tamizagam or the existing schools were shifted there.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

14-05-2020

[1] The Hindu, Ancient numbers in the land of Ramanujan, Iravatham Mahadevan, M. V. Bhaskar, CHENNAI:, DECEMBER 29, 2011 01:28 IST’UPDATED: DECEMBER 29, 2011 01:30 IST

[2] K.V. Ramakrishna Rao, Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887-1920): The Mathematical genius of Erode, who got PhD from Cambridge, but, ignored by Tamilnadu!, April.26, 2020. https://kvramakrishnarao.wordpress.com/2020/04/26/srinivasa-ramanujan-1887-1920-the-mathematical-genius-of-erode-who-got-phd-from-cambridge-but-ignored-by-tamilnadu/

[3] Tamil-Brahmi cave inscription from Tondur (3rd century C.E.). Photo Courtesy: Central Institute of Classical Tamil, Chennai | Photo Credit: HANDOUT_E_MAIL.

[4] https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/ancient-numbers-in-the-land-of-ramanujan/article2755518.ece

[5] A place value system is one in which the position of a digit in a number determines its value. In the standard system, called base ten, each place represents ten times the value of the place to its right.

[6] Sathyabhama Kameswaran, Kanakkathikaram (Part – II), Thanjavur Maharaja Sarboji Saraswati Mahal Library, Publication No.388, Thanjavur, 1998.

[7]  The expressions ‘எட்டேகால் லட்சணமே’  and ‘அவலட்சணமே’ were used by the poets Ottakkuutthar, Pugazhendi and Avvaiyar of 13^th cent.CE.

[8] Tamil lexicons, Nikandus and other works too have been silent about the origin, though, tried to give the list of numbers ets., as usual.

[9] Sathyabhama Kameswaran, Kanakkathikaram (A compiled work), Thanjavur Maharaja Sarboji Saraswati Mahal Library, Publication No.504, Thanjavur, 2007.

[10] M. Arunachalam

[11] “As the firefly before the Sun, I decided to present the mathematical work of the Aryans that is in Sanskrit, in Tamil. Therefore, the experts need not criticize me,” he noted in the introduction. Kanakkathikaam 1, Payiram, poem.16. He repeated the same in the next poem also, no.17.

Kari Nayanar, Kanakkathikaram, Tirunelveli Saiva Siddhanta Nurpathippuk Kazhagam, Chennai, 1958.

[12] R Champakalakshmi, In Search of the Beginnings and Growth of Knowledge Production in Tamil, Indian Journal of History of Science, 51.1 (2016) 118-124; felying upon Subrahmanian, 1966, pp.326–29.

[13] P. P. Divakaran, The Mathematics of India: Concepts, Methods, Connections, Springer and Hindudthan Book Agency, New Delhi, 2018.

Study of Vedanga Jyotisha and Sulba Sutras: How historians have to approach taking historical evidences [1]

Study of Vedanga Jyotisha and Sulba Sutras: How historians have to approach taking historical evidences [1]

How ancient Indian professors, scientists, technologists, engineers, doctors and other professionals were picturized compared to the Greek counterparts: The western, European, EIC (East Indian Company engaged[1]) and other Indologists, historians and experts picturize the ancient Indian professors, scientists, technologists, engineers, doctors and other professionals as Rishis, munis, sages, hermits and above all brahmins with tuft and hence, most of the readers still think that the books of science and technology were written by brahmins and only Brahmins could read them, whereas, the Vedangas and the subjects thereof, were dealt with non-brahmins[2]. On the contrary, the Greek counterparts also more or less depicted and appeared naked in sculptures like Indians, but only with beard and hair covered. Moreover, man times, they were depicted as scientists working in laboratories and workshops, whereas, the Indian counterparts engaged in yagnas, building fire altars, going on arranging bricks in the geometrical forms for such yagnakundas and so on.  Ironically, when the Greeks were nude in the most of the original sculptures, the Indians well-dressed. Incidentally, the symposium was the place, where all participants should come and participate nude. Here, the classes were conducted in the Ashrams and forests like Naimisaranyam. The Universities, Dakshasila, Nalanda, Kanchi and others have not surprised them. Readers have not surprised or questioned as to how Alexander could ride horses without a girdle, saddle, stirrup, browband, noseband etc., However, annoyed by the arrogance of the “gymnosophists,” he killed or kidnapped them[3]. This type of bias has to be removed in research, to analyze and find out the facts. Here, some of the ancient Indian astronomical works are taken up for study.

From Vedas to Vedangas: Jyotisha connotes not astrology alone, but, astronomy and related subjects, as could be verified and appreciated from the Siddhantic works. Vedanga Jyotisha[4], has been the most ancient astronomical text of some handbook available today in the human history. The position of solstices mentioned in the text is dated to 1400-1100 BCE by different scholars. The work locates the summer solstice in the middle of the constellation Aslesa and the winter solstice at the beginning of Dhanistha. Calculating backwards from the present position of the solstices, this would give a date c. 1340 BCE. Moreover, reading of the text proves that it is not complete but the only recession of the earlier text or texts existed. The Sulba Sutras[5] also contain many geometrical and few astronomical references, which has been dated to c.800-50 BCE. The word “sulba” is a cord, rope, thread or string, is regularly called by them “rajju”[6]. The work was famous among different schools like Baudhayana[7], Apastamba, Katyayana, Manava. Maitrayaniya[8] etc. But, it is actually with a stick / pole and rope, the geometrical figures were drawn, manipulated and analyzed. Such methods were used in the art and architecture of temples palaces and other structures. Thus, the existence of such science and technology could have only been derived from their predecessors. The fragmentary or incomplete works suddenly could not have appeared in c.1350 BCE period.

Astronomical texts existing from Vedic to Siddhantic periods: The Rgvedic hymn 1.164, on the cosmic times-wheel by sage Dirghatamas, speaks of a wheel of time, with a year consisting of twelve lunar months and 360 lunar days (RV 1 164.1) and starts the year with the autumn star Agni (Krittika, Alcyone, long. 59°.5) which on calculation gives a date c 2350 B C.

In another Rgvedic hymn 3.99, which also mentions Krittika as the autumn star (c. 2350 B C.), sage Visvamitra worships 3339 (371 x9) devas and apparently refers to a period of 30 years consisting of 371 lunar months. This would give a year of 371 lunar days, working out to 365.19 solar days. Then, comes Vedangas.

The Vedanga (वेदांग) implied as parts of Vedas have been the subjects of science and technology applicable from time to time and place to place. Thus, it is very clear that at all places, Brahmins were not available.

Vedanga (वेदांग)	What they teach
शिक्षा  / Shiksha	Phonetics, etymology, the science of languages
कल्प / Kalpa	Ritual Canon, the study of sound, acoustics, time, period
व्याकरण / Vyakaran	Grammar, of language, literature
निरुक्त  / Nirukta	Explanation, analysis, exposition, research
छन्द  / Chhanda	Vedic meter, metrics[9], prosody[10], mathematics, binary, digital
ज्योतिष  / Jyotisha	Astrology, cosmogony, cosmology, astronomy, geology

How chandas / metrics have been handled by the Sanskrit scholars with and with mathematical, astronomical interpretation could be noted from the works of Arti Mitra and Anundoram Burooah (Their books are mentioned in the footnotes).

According to tradition, there existed 18 early siddhantas composed by –

1.    Surya, 2.    Pitamaha, 3.    Vyasa, 4.    Vasistha, 5.    Atri, 6.    Parasara,

7.    Kasyapa, 8.    Narada, 9.    Garga, 10. Marici, 11. Manu, 12. Angiras,

13. Lomasa, (Romaka), 14. Paulisa, 15. Cyavana, 16. Yavana, 17. Bhrgu and S 18. Saunaka

Most of these have gone out of vogue and lost, but five are available in the form of summaries or, what is more likely, abstracts. These are totally astronomical works with clear-cut theorems, and explanations about the planets, asterism, planetary conjunctions, the mathematics involved etc. Siddhantas were followed by Karanas (commentaries, explanations) and Yantras (instruments, gadgets, used for observation, experiment and practical usage). The Ganges Valley Civilization (GVC) had been the origin of the ancient Indian arts, science and technology. That is why the European scholars were locating the “Brahmins” there[11].

From Ganges to Bogazkoi: Of course, the Vedas have many astronomical references and dated to different periods from many thousands to 3000-1500 BCE by various authorities depending upon varieties of interpretations based on the internal and other evidences. Boğazköy[12] inscription dated to c.1400-1300 BCE period, has been the treaty between the Mittanis and the Hittites. The groups invoked the Vedic gods – Mitras(il) (Mitra), Uruvanass(il) (Varuna), Indara (Indra) and the Nasatianna (Nasatyas) (Ashwins). The Bogazkoi and Indraprastham or Delhi have been situated about 3800 km apart. Yet, the people there to remember, invoke and respect the same gods prove that they belonged to the same civilization, culture, tradition and heritage. Historians, archaeologists and related experts should ponder over how the people groups speaking different languages separated by such lengthy distances could invoke the same gods, unless some commonality had existed among them. The historical evidence of Boğazköy inscription is enough to prove the fact. Thus, historians have to study Indian history taking all evidences into account.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

07-05-2020

[1] East Indian Company engaged scholars, translators, historians, and host of other experts, have no doubt done excellent work in Indology and shown the research methodology. However, their bias and anxious about Indian chronology of the subjects and disciplines is revealed when they tried to reduce Indian chronology and bring within their Alexander invasion and the Greek borrowal hypotheses and theories.

[2]  The expressions “Brahmin” and “non-brahmin” are used only to drive out the point and not for any other interpretation.

[3] As per the Greek translations given by the McCrindle and others about the “Alexander invasion” and of course, there has been a literature “Alexander Romance, ” with which also, all these narratives have been circulated as histotory.

[4] K. V. Sarma (Ed.), Vedanga Jyotisha of Lagada – in its Rk and Yajus recensions – with the translation and notes of Prof T.S.Kuppanna Sastry, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, 1985, preface, pp.13-14.

[5] S. N. Sen and A. K. Bag, The Sulbasutras, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, 1983, pp.224-233.

[6] G. Thibaut, The Siulvasutras, The Baptist Press, Calcutta, 1875.

[7] Satyaprakash and Ram Swarup Sharma (Ed.s). Buadhayan-Sulbasutram, with Sanskrit commentary by Dwaraka Nath Yajvan and English translation and critical notes by G. Thibout, the Research Institute of Ancient Scientific Studies, New Delhi, 1968.

[8] Shankar (Commentator), The Maitrayaniya-Sulbasutram – ith the commentary by Shankar, Smt.Priyavada Jha, V V R I Press, Sadhu Ashram, Hosiapur,2001.

[9] Arati Mitra, Origin and Development of Sanskrit metrics, The Asiatic Society, Calcutta, 1989.

[10] Anundoram Baorooah, Prosody, Publication Division, Gauhati, Assam, 1975.

His work, A Comprehensive Grammar of the Sanskrit Language – Analytical, Historical and lexicographical, Vol.X, 1882, has been issued as “Prosody” as above.

[11]  Leon Poliokov, The Aryan Myth: A history of races and nationalist ideas in Europe, translated by George W. Howard, Chatto, Heinemann for Sussex University Press, London, 1974,. See Chapter.9. Quoting Cassini, Bailly, Voltaire, Alexander Dow, Holwell,

[12] Boğazköy, (Turkish: “Gorge Village”)modern Boğazkale, also spelt Boghazkeui, village, north-central Turkey. Located 17 miles (27 km) northwest of Yozgat, it is the site of the archaeological remains of Hattusas (Hattusa, Hattusha, or Khattusas), the ancient capital of the Hittites, who established a powerful empire in Anatolia and northern Syria in the 2nd millennium BCE. Mitanni’s north-western border with the Hattian kingdom of the Hittites was fluid and constantly subject to aggression except when the two rivals concluded a peace treaty – one that invoked the Indo-Iranian pantheon of Mitra, Varuna, Indra and the Nasatyas – but also one that marked the decline of the Mitanni kingdom and a decrease in size. The Mitanni and Hittites were closely related.

Bakhshali manuscript and Ramanujam: Mathematical manuscripts from Bodleian Library of Oxford to Cambridge!

Bakhshali manuscript and Ramanujam: Mathematical manuscripts from Bodleian Library of Oxford to Cambridge!

Hard work and esoteric wisdom: Srinivasa Ramanujan claimed that he got such amazing mathematical wisdom from “Namagiri Devi,”[1] just like Kalidasa getting knowledge from Kali. According to Ramanujan, she appeared to him in visions, proposing mathematical formulas and he would have taken down. One such event was described by him as follows:

“While asleep, I had an unusual experience. There was a red screen formed by flowing blood, as it were. I was observing it. Suddenly a hand began to write on the screen. I became all attention. That hand wrote a number of elliptic integrals. They stuck to my mind. As soon as I woke up, I committed them to writing“.

 Or it could be taken down in this way also – as he always used to think about such theorems, formulae etc., a sudden spark would have helped him to get the result. Of course, for such intuition, a divine blessing is required. Furthermore, Ramanujan’s mother received permission from Namagiri Thayar for Ramanujan to go to England in a dream. Ramanujam like any other devout Hindu student would have always attributed his knowledge, timely recollection at the time of examination, thereby writing examinations well, getting high marks, etc., only to his favourite God or Goddess. However, his hard work plays a key role always. Thus, definitely, their knowledge was tremendous, stupendous and great only. Such mathematical knowledge was preserved in India historically. Actually, it was not known how many pages the manuscript bound contained, how many recovered, left at the site itself, damaged and cured for research, and kept at the Bodleian library now. Thus, the oldest mathematical manuscript is now known as “Bakhshali manuscript”  contained the Indian mathematical past historically.

Bakhshali manuscript – the notebook/workbook of an Ancient Indian Student: The “Bakhshali manuscript” is nothing but, a notebook or workbook of an ancient Indian student containing many pages, but, only 70 were reportedly recovered in a mutilated condition found between stones, when a peasant living enclosure was dug. In May 1881, near a village called Bakhshali, lying in the Yusufzai district of the Peshawer division, at the extreme Northwestern frontier of India. About its nature also, different versions are available.

The letter dated 5th of July 1881, from the Assistant Commissioner of  Mardan states[2], “According to the finder’s statement the greater part of the manuscript had been destroyed in taking it up from the place where it lay between stones. The remains, when brought to me, were like dry tinder, and there may be about fifty pages left some of which would be certainly legible to anyone who knew the characters. The letters on some of the pages are very clear and look like some kind of Prakrit, but it is most difficult to separate the pages without injuring them. I had intended to forward the manuscript to the Lahore Museum in the hope that it might be sent on thence to some scholar, but I was unable to have a proper tin box made for it before I left Mardan. I will see to this on my return from leave. The papyrus will require very tender manipulation. The result will be interesting, if it enables us to judge the age of the ruins where the manuscript was found.”

Rudolf Hoernle noted, “Unfortunately, probably through the careless handling of the finder, it is now in an excessively mutilated condition, both with regard to the size and the number of the leaves. Their present size, as you observe (see Plate I), is about 6 by 3 ½ inches; their original size, however, must have been about 7 by 8 ¼ inches. This might have been presumed from the well-known fact that the old birch-bark manuscripts were always written on leaves of a squarish size. But I was enabled to determine the point by a curious fact.”

Its size varies from 13×7 to 18×21 cms size. In other words, the sizes of the notebook pages were thus equivalent to A4 to a bigger size. Professor Buhler, who had read of the discovery in the Bombay Gazette communicated the announcement to Professor Weber, who brought it to the notice of the fifth International Congress of Orientalists then assembled in Berlin. In Buhler’s letter to Weber it was stated that the manuscript had been found, “..carefully enclosed in a stone chamber……,” however, the 70 leaves recovered showed that they were damaged severely, while removing. As noted, the “Bakshali manuscript” was nothing but, a student mathematical book cum workbook containing many pages. It has many interesting problems, but, difficult to solve. The manuscript is written in Sharada character of a rather ancient type, in Sanskrit and on the leaves of birch-bark which from age have become dry like tinder and extremely fragile[3].

The tradition of Birch-bark manuscripts of North India spreading from Central Asia to China: The Birch-bark manuscripts are documents written on pieces of the inner layer of birch bark (of tree), which was commonly used for writing in ancient India. The evidence of birch bark for writing goes back many centuries and in various cultures. The oldest dated birch bark manuscripts are numerous Gandhāran Buddhist texts from approximately the 1^st century BCE to CE, which are believed to have created in Gandhara part of Bharat (now Afghanistan), likely by the Dharmaguptaka sect of Buddhists. That the Buddhism was existed till the medieval period above Bharat from Central Asia to China and of course down to South East Asia is well known. In other words, just like the tradition of “Talapatra” of south India, the north Indians used “Bhiojpatra.” Moreover, the writing was there, during the first centuries with an established educational system. As these manuscripts withstood time, there could have been more, but, unless, the Europeans reveal, Indian researchers are not in a position to proceed further. Now coming to numbers and zero, as this Bakshali manuscript contained zeros, it would have been more interesting, had the manuscript was shown to Ramanujam by his British friends of the Cambridge.

The number “0”, decimal numbers etc: According to the westerners / the European experts, the origin of the symbol zero has long been one of the world’s greatest mathematical mysteries. However, The Rigveda Mandala X has the concepts of 0 and 1, giving examples of the concept of “non-existence” and “existence”. Pingala[4] has been credited with the inventor of Binary Mathematics[5]. Here, the Bakshali manuscript contains many zeros mentioned specifically. Though, many consider the symbol noted as dot, big dot etc., it appears as circle only[6]. Therefore, it’s dating from the first centuries was disputed and taken to the 4^th century CE. In 2017, the Bakhshali manuscript, was subjected to radiocarbon dating conducted. Various dates have been obtained ranging from the 3^rd or 4^th century CE to 12^th century. In fact, composed of material from at least three different periods, as per the C-14 dating.

Table[7] Laboratory codes, radiocarbon determinations, stable carbon isotope composition and calibrated ages for the birch bark from the Bakhshali manuscript. Presented uncertainties in the radiocarbon determination are one standard deviation.

Sample	ORAU laboratory code	Radiocarbon determination / BP	δ / ‰	Calibrated age, 95.4% Confidence interval / cal AD
Bakhshali folio 16	OxA-35,405	1751 ± 29	-27.3	224 – 383
Bakhshali folio 17	OxA-35,406	1247 ± 27	-27.0	680 – 868
Bakhshali folio 33	OxA-35,407	1108 ± 26	-24.6	885 – 993

If that is the case, no student or scholar would keep his book, notebook or textbook with such mixed manuscripts. Such mix-up must have done by the discoverer of or the person recovered the manuscripts. Probably, they could have recovered three such manuscripts at different levels. As Dakshasila University was nearby and it was destroyed by the Mohammedans, all these books could have been found scattered. Or the “enclosed” place, where, the manuscript was found, could have been a school that was destroyed. The most elaborate and authoritative academic study on the manuscript, conducted by Japanese scholar Dr Hayashi Takao[8], asserted that it probably dated from between the 8^th and the 12^th century, based on factors such as the style of writing and the literary and mathematical content. Another researcher has noted some astronomical details also[9]. Thus, the earlier dating of the manuscript goes before the 9th-century inscription of zero found on the wall of a temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, which was previously considered to be the oldest recorded example of a zero used as a placeholder in India.

The zero symbol could have been evolved from a dot that was used in ancient India and can be seen throughout the Bakhshali manuscript. The dot was originally used as a ‘placeholder’, meaning it was used to indicate orders of magnitude in a number system – for example, denoting 10s, 100s and 1000s. In fact, in the Bakhshali Mss, it is clearly written as 0 instead of a big dot.  The “Number system” that was reportedly used by the Egyptian, Babylonian, Mayan and Roman are compared with that of the Indian for comparison. While the use of zero as a placeholder was seen in several different ancient cultures, such as among the ancient Mayans and Babylonians, the symbol in the Bakhshali manuscript is particularly significant for two reasons. Firstly, it is this dot that evolved to have a hollow centre and became the symbol that we use as zero today. Secondly, it was only in India that this zero developed into a number in its own right, hence creating the concept and the number zero that we understand today – this happened in 628 CE, just a few centuries after the Bakhshali manuscript was produced, when the Indian astronomer and mathematician Brahmagupta wrote a text called Brahmasphutasiddhanta, which is the first document to discuss zero and its operations.

Ramanujam and zero: The concept and evolution of 0 and ∞ haven challenging for all civilizations, but, the ancient Indians were dealing with them, philosophically and mathematically with clear-cut logic. Of course, there was no difference between philosophy and mathematics till medieval periods. Ramanujam asked his teacher what would happen if zero was divided by zero. They did not use 0 till 12^th century and ∞ 17^th century[10]. The westerners did not recognize them till the medieval / modern period. If any number is divided by itself, 1 is obtained, then, zero divided by zero would give 1 as result. It is not known as to Ramanujan would have read “Bija ganita” of Bhaskaracharya or not. However, it is evident that he had taken much interest in zero and other numbers. Thus, had Ramanujan seen the Bakashali manuscript, many riddles of the manuscript would have been solved. After all, the distance between Cambridge and Oxford is about 100 kms and it would take two hours to reach. It is not known who prevented him not to see the Bakhshali manuscript.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

27-04-2020

[1] Ramanujan prayed to the goddess Namagiri by sitting in the center of a four pillared mandapam facing the goddess, in the Narasimha swamy Temple. It is said that they stayed in the precincts of the temple for three days, and Ramanujan got the permission of the goddess to go to England, in a dream when he was asleep. He woke Narayana Iyer and told him that his mission of getting the permission of the goddess to go to England was accomplished.

[2] G. R. Kaye, The Bakhshali Manuscript – A Study in Medieal Mathematics, Vol.I, in Indian Historical researches, Royal Asiatic Society, Calcutta, 1933,  p.1

[3] Birch-bark is an outer bark of the Silver Birch (Betula utilis, Betula bhojpaltra, or the Bhurja tree, as it is vai’iously called) which flourishes in the Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim. It grows on all the higher ranges of the Kashmiri- hills from a height of about 6,000 feet to 12,000 foot. The forests in the (Gurais district supply most of the bhojpatra that is sold in Srinagar. The bark is used chiefly for the roofing of houses, for wrapping up things, for lining baskets, etc., and the villagers still use it as a writing material.

1. R. Kaye, Vol.I, p.4

[4] Pingala (c.3rd / 2nd century BCE) was an ancient mathematician, famous for his work, the Chandas shastra (chandas-śāstra, also Chandas sutra chandas-sūtra), a Sanskrit treatise on prosody considered one of the Vedanga. Pingala is identified as the younger brother of Panini, the great grammarian of c. 5^th century BCE. Other traditions identify him with Patanjali, the author of the Mahabhashya.

[5] K. V. Ramakrishna Rao, Date of Pingala – The Origin of Binary Computation in India, VYOMA, Bangalore, 2004, pp.356-362.

[6] R.N. Mukherjee; Zero, Encyclopaedia of Classical Indian Sciences, H. Selin, R. Narasimha (edt.), Universities Press, (2007) pp. 441-444.

[7] David Howell, Carbon dating reveals Bakhshali manuscript is centuries older than scholars believed and is formed of multiple leaves nearly 500 years different in age, By David Howell, Head of Heritage Science at the Bodleian Libraries, 3 July 2017

[8] Hayashi Takao, The Bakhshali Manuscript – an ancient mathematical tratise, Egbert Forsten, Groningen, Netherlands,1995.

[9] Syshma Zadoo, Critical study of the Bakhshali Manuscript, PhD thesis, University of Kashmir, 1992, pp.141-142.

[10] K. V. Ramakrishna Rao, From Zero to Infinity, in “Vigyan Bharati Pradeepika”, Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan, – Proceedings, Vol.8, No.1, April 13, 2002,  pp. 45-54.

The “National Seminar on Cataloguing, editing and Publication of Ancient Indian Manuscripts on Science and Technology” held on March 26th 28th 2019 at Bangalore [1]

The “National Seminar on Cataloguing, editing and Publication of Ancient   Indian Manuscripts on Science and Technology” held on March  26^th  28^th 2019 at Bangalore [1]

From Chronology seminar to manuscript seminar in Bangalore: After attending the two day National seminar held at Bangalore on February 18^th and 19^th 2019, we received a brochure through e-mail. Not only the brochure, even the contents had been also attractive. As the theme and approach were very attractive for researchers, immediately, we decided to attend. Above all, it is to be held in the ISKCON temple complex. I thought, it is the suitable place for the conduct of the seminar, as, Sri Krishna has been the historical personality of Indian history with the start of Kali Era that is the “sheet anchor of Indian history.” In spite of short notice, we could prepare papers, as we have had details ready. As I have been researching for the last 40 years, with data and information available with me, I could prepare papers, immediately and send to the organizers.  I booked tickets also informing them.

First experience at ISKCON, Bangalore (26-03-2019): This is the second time, I am visiting ISKCON, Bangalore. Twenty years back, I came to the temple for darshan. This time, I came as a delegate to present paper. We reached ISKCON temple complex and accommodated at room no.211 by 2.00 pm. The reception asked us to take food coupon and have food, as it closes by 2.30 pm. We had food there and had some rest after discussing the papers to be presented. I was really happy to be there at the place of Sri Krishna, whom I consider as the Lord of Chronology, HOD of Indian history and the greatest historiographer of India, that is Bharath, and perhaps, of the whole world during the 3100 BCE period. I was enquiring about the venue and the program, but, the persons at the reception were telling that some volunteers would come to inform! As none came and it was already 5,00 pm, I contacted and she [Samskriti Foundation representative] responded that she was not feeling well, …………………………….the program had already started, tried to contact, but, could get line and so on. Anyway, we proceeded to the hall and it was nearby only. The “National Seminar on Cataloguing, editing and Publication of Ancient   Indian Manuscripts on Science and Technology” was inaugurated at the auditorium, ISKCON, Bangalore on March 26^th evening and it was funded by the National Mission f0r Manuscript. Dr Alwar was compeering the proceedings. The following few paras tell the information about the theme of the seminar[1].

Indian manuscripts distributed and available countries: The Indian Scientific heritage has been extremely productive. India has one of the largest collections of Scientific manuscripts of any civilization in the world. While there is no precise enumeration of the number of manuscripts, estimates vary widely, putting it in the region of 20000 to 100,000 manuscripts. Several of these manuscripts are now in institutions such as – Oriental Manuscripts Libraries, Indological Research Institutions, Universities, Mutts and Archives and many are still in private collections. Manuscripts are also available in foreign libraries in U.K., France, Germany & USA and in Asian countries like, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Burma, Bhutan, China (Tibet), Thailand. Unfortunately there is no detailed and accurate data about the number, extent and distribution of the Scientific manuscripts of India. The presently available published Scientific texts, which are in contemporary use, represent less than 2% of the Scientific literature that is available in the form of manuscripts. However, as of today, there is no proper methodology to know or verify the names, authors or any other details of manuscripts that exist on the topic of Science and Technology in ancient India.

The Samskriti Foundation: The Samskriti Foundation, Mysore, is organizing this national seminar. It has, at present, embarked on a project to collect, collate and present information about a bibliography of manuscripts exclusively dealing with Science and technology. So far it has collected and listed information about 7,000 numbers of such manuscripts, which turned out to be a very meticulous, pain-staking task.  Thus, the Foundation has a unique database of ancient manuscripts dealing with Science and Technology (S & T) of Ancient India.

The Problem dealing with the manuscripts available: Though the Foundation has collected and prepared an electronic database of ancient manuscripts dealing with Science and Technology of Ancient India, there is still a long way to go, as these Manuscripts have to be procured from various institutions, University libraries and personal collections. Further the following steps have to be undertaken:

1. Cleaning etc of the Manuscripts and making them ready for digitization
2. Digitization of the concerned Manuscripts
3. Deciphering the Manuscripts
4. Transcribing the Manuscripts
5. Editing the Manuscripts
6. Preparing English Translation / regional languages translation etc. in collaboration with scientists / technocrats connected with the concerned field.
7. Making other value editions
8. Publishing the Manuscripts

To undertake the above tasks, the active collaboration of scholars and scientists / technologists alike is very much necessary. This is because, unlike while dealing with Manuscripts on literature, philosophy etc., Manuscripts on S & T contain many technical terms that even scholars who are familiar with the particular language would not be able to interpret properly. Apart from this, these exist several other problems in deciphering / interpreting / editing Manuscripts belonging to many new areas like ancient geography, alchemy, earth sciences and such other subjects.  Therefore, there is a dire need to unearth and train a new breed of persons who are ‘scientist-manuscriptologists’. As of today, there are not many scientist-manuscriptologists who can undertake such tasks and bring to light the ancient Manuscripts on S & T of yore which can bring to light the expertise of our forefathers in various fields of S & T.

The solution envisaged: To overcome the above problem, it is proposed to bring together expert scientists and technologists on one side and expert manuscriptologists on the other on a common platform and make them interact with each other so that there can be a healthy exchange of ideas and concepts that can help in taking the task of deciphering / interpreting / editing Manuscripts belonging to many new areas like ancient geography, alchemy, earth sciences and such other subjects dealing with S & T. The proposed seminar specifically wishes to address and make considerable headway in solving the problems mentioned above.

The purpose of the seminar: The seminar will be organized in such a way that an exclusive session will be devoted for a particular con temporarily relevant field of science and technology and experts in that particular field will speak on particular unpublished, valuable Manuscripts that is concerned with that particular field. For example, there will be an exclusive session for unpublished Manuscripts on the subject of ‘Mathematics’ and in that session, experts on Mathematics will speak on deciphering, publication  etc. of unpublished, useful Manuscripts on Mathematics and their utility. Similarly separate sessions will be schedules for other important subjects. Of course, it will be impossible to deal with all such subjects in a very short span of three days. However, the topics will be prioritized based on contemporary relevance and the sessions will be held in a highly sophisticated manner. The seminar will be a pioneering one, since, as far as information available at present, such a seminar for deciphering / interpreting / editing Manuscripts belonging to many new areas like ancient geography, alchemy, earth sciences and such other subjects dealing with S & T has not been organized so far by any agency.

 

ISKCON guest house

Samskriti Foundation had already organized a National Seminar on “Application of Information Technology for conservation, editing and publication of Manuscripts” on the 20^th, 21^st and 22^nd of January 2013, at Multivision Theatre, ISKCON, Harekrishna Hill, Rajajinagar, Bangalore, with support from the National Mission for Manuscripts, IGNCA, Govt. of India[2]. Thus, it is evidet that, this is also a similar seminar conducted after six years. Coming to the current seminar, as mentioned above, we reached the hall “Multi-vision theatre”, the program already started. As usual, I started taking photographs and sat down.

When I was just entering, I took this photograph……………..

Pranava Khular, Manjunatha, Khinchi, M. S. Lakshmi Thathachariyar

26-03-2019- Mss seminar -inauguration-audience

6-03-2019- Mss seminar -inauguration-audience.2

26-03-2019- Mss seminar -inauguration-audience.3

5.00 to 5.14 pm – Sri Pranav Khular, Joint Secreary, Ministry of Culture: Vajpayee commented that if all the manuscripts were many IVCs and Dwarakas might be discovered. Launching the Mission, the Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee said[3], “…the NMM is different from the other missions undertaken till now.  In this the benefits are neither direct nor visible….I believe that the NMM will bring to light many more Mohenjodaros and Dwarakas.”

Referring to the technological aspect of the Mission, the Prime Minister noted that modern science asks proof for claims and this very science (modern technology) is providing tools for resurrecting these proofs of our glorious past.  Shri Vajpayee highlighted three aspects of the mission: since 70 per cent of the manuscripts are in Sanskrit, the teaching and learning of the language will have to be further promoted, several institution that are already working in the field will have to be associated with the Mission and finally, a huge awareness campaign has to be undertaken to encourage individual custodians of manuscripts to come forward and give them to the Mission. The National Mission for Manuscript has been given several extensions and now it has been extended up to 31^st  March 2020. Work has to be done, as there was no pace in it.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

30-03-2019

[1] Taken from their brochure and their website: http://www.samskrti.org/; http://samskrti.org/seminar/ ;

Email: samskrti@hotmail.com

[2] https://samskrti.org/seminars-and-conferences/

[3] https://namami.gov.in/about-us-0

Chronology of India – Proceedings of the two day National seminar held at Bangalore on February 18th and 19th 2019 [4]

Chronology of  India – Proceedings of the two day National seminar held at Bangalore on February 18^th and 19^th 2019 [4]

M. A. Narasimhan on “Chronology of Astronomy in India.”

Narasimhan’s disposition on Indian astronomy: On the second day, parallel sessions were held and thus, the paper presenters were divided in to two groups. Venkat Rao M. Palati, Davanagere University chaired the session “Chronology of Astronomy in India.” M. A. Narasimhan[1] on Narasimhan delved upon Indian astronomy. As I have listened to him many times in the last 35 years in different ABISY and BISS seminars, I could not find anything new in his speech. Jayashree spoke on the importance of Sankalpa. He has engaged in “Extracting Historical, Geographical, Chronological and Scientific data from the eighteen Puranas[2]. This work has been commissioned by Akhila Bharateeya Itihasa Sankalana Yojana” and working on “A study of “Supasastra in Indian Tradition” with the assistance of the Indian National Science Academy, Delhi. This is a study of the food habits of India as prescribed in the traditional texts, along with their nutritive values”, sanctioned by Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi. When the question of application of astronomical tables, planetary software etc., for the determination of dates of Rama, Krishna etc., he cautioned that might not give correct dates, as the data applied to software have been cyclic nature and any event could be supposedly occurred on a date, according to the chosen position of the planets, asterism and related data.

The Ganges Valley rice is dated to 9000 BCE: I went to other session, as my paper was there. I presented my paper, “Dating Indian seeds and its bearing on Historical chronology” with PPT. The important points were as follows:

1. The recent archaeological evidences of Ganges have proved that the antiquity of rice in India goes back to 6^th and 5^th millennium BCE. Latest studies from 2016 dated rice fields back to China’s Yangtze valley 8,400 years ago, but, now Indian rice is dated to 9,250 years ago, thus, rice cultivation in India started some 7,250 BCE.
2. The paleobotanical research reports have revealed that certain cultivated varieties of plants, trees and herbs, which are mentioned in Vedas and Epics, have existed in India continuously for more than 8000-10000 years.
3. Remains of cultivated rice, wheat and barley have been found belonging to 7000 BC; melon seeds, lemon leaf, pomegranate, coconut and date palm etc relating to 4000 BCE; lentils, millets and peas etc from 3000 BCE; use of reetha, anwla and shikkakai for making shampoo since 2500 BCE.
4. The latest archaeological excavations have revealed large volume of new data which has proved the indigenous origin and development of civilisation in the Indian Subcontinent since 7000 BC.
5. Some examples are: Lahuradeva, Jhusi, Tokwa and Hetapatti in Ganga Valley in the east; Mehrgarh, Kot Diji and Nausharo in Indus valley in the northwest; Lothal and Dholavira in the west.
6. The material testimonies of these excavations have shown gradual cultural developments from the 7th-6th millennium BC in the entire region of Indus Saraswati-Ganga system for a period of almost eight thousand years.

Rakesh Tewari’s finding of rice dated to 9000 BCE.

B. Thakur fixes date of rice to 7000 BCE based on diatom…..

My conclusion………………………….

all dates have to be correlated, collaborated and corresponded……………………

Effect of second day parallel session conducted on 19^th February: One paper presenter simply read the no.of kings of southern Indian dynasties of Vijayanagar and their feudatories. Here, also, nothing new was pointed out, as he was listing out the kings and their dates / years. R. Kavitha’s paper on the Cholas had been interesting, as she was narrating with inscriptions of the Cholas in Kannada. Again, there was a paper on the forts of Karnataka. Last paper “Iraiyanar Agapporul chronology” was interesting, as that was the only paper touched upon chronology based on the ancient Tamil literature, otherwise known as Sangam literature. Of course, the text “Iraiyanar agapporul” is dated to medieval period. However, the point is that during the medieval period, the tradition that some parts of the ancient Tamilagam were submerged due to natural disaster is proven.

When Nagarajan from Chennai  presented his paper on “Iraiyanar Agapporul Chronology”, only two persons were there – the session chair-person and myself  [K. V. Ramakrishna Rao]

Unfortunately, when he was reading his paper, other paper presenters had already gone! In other words, about 15 paper presents came there to present papers, and the moment his / her paper was over, they went away, thus, only two were present at the time of last paper presenter. This was really sad and perhaps, unbecoming for researchers, as they did not want to listen to others. Moreover, they just presented papers and walked away. It is ironical that such incidences happened even during the seminar conducted by BISS.

Sanskrit expert presenting paper in Sanskrit without caring for Indian map……………….

The paper presenter, who presented paper on Rajatarangini did not bother to use correct map for his PPT, though, the period was medieval!

19-02-2019 – technical session after lunch: After lunch, in the main hall, two papers were presented in Sanskrit[3]. One went on reading what the Sanskrit literature tells about the Indian medicinal system, but, without giving any evidences. He was repeating the stuff that was already available in many books and research papers. Therefore, I pointed out the existence of dental surgery in the IVC and trepanation carried out by the megalith period Indians at Kashmir, Andaman Nicobar islands etc. The other person presented a paper on Rajatarangini in Sanskrit, but, nothing new. When asked why the RT Asoka was Jain and Kalhana gives two dates for Mahabharata, he could not answer. Ironically, he was showing the truncated map of Kashmir [Kashmir occupied by Pakistan and China etc.,] for the medieval period. In other words, the paper presenters have been so enthusiastic, to show some pictures in their PPT, instead of  carefulness in choosing a picture in the context. Again, there was a paper on the forts of Southern Karnataka.

Valedictory, prayer

Valedictory, Balamukund speaking in Hindi. He was mentioning my examples of antiquity of rice, dental surgery, trepanation etc…..

Valedictory function, Balamukund speaking in Hindi – another view

Valedictory function, Balamukund speaking in Hindi – another view from back

Valedictory function, audience view -RHS

Valedictory function, audience view -LHS

Valedictory function, audience another view -LHS

Valedictory function, audience another view -RHS

Valedictory function, students – audience -RHS

Valedictory, audience-LHS.further. students

Valedictory function: Balamukund Pandey in his concluding remarks used my paper details and responses, as he started with the “dating seeds of Ganges valley civilization”! Trepanation as pointed out by me, was mentioned as “brain surgery”.  As he had to catch his flight, he went away. Dr.Tejaswini Anantkumar, Trustee of Adamya Chetana, an NGO serving food for about 1.5lakhs students daily, spoke on the occasion of valedictory function. Her speech had been so feministic / womanistic, as she pointed out that what women should wear or should not be worn cannot be decided by others. She claimed that “Mangalasutra” also need not be worn by women, as it was introduced during the Mohammed period[4]. Similarly, the practices of bindi etc., could have been introduced. Ms M. B. Nagaveni, Director, Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College, lamented that she also thought that “history was a boring subject….” She just then only knew about the existence of “Saraswati river civilization” before IVC.  Germans have donated scanner etc., to Melkote research institute[5]. Buddhism was a great religion, again it could become great, if all other religions disappear. With a vote of thanks, the seminar was concluded. Definitely, the speeches of Tejaswini Anantkumar and Nagamani were seurprising, as definitely, they have aired their views that were not factual.

History subject should be revised and updated: As pointed out above, I have been attending seminars, conferences, workshops etc., conducted by ABHSY and BISS since 1985, and I could note that most of the paper presenters and speakers repeat again and again, what they already presented of spoken at earlier proceedings. In fact, I hae also been connected with the three conferences / seminars conducted in Chennai and Kanyakumari. Though, they have been taking data and information from the books of Krishnanmari, T.S. Narayana Sastri, D. S. Triveda, Kota Venkatachalam, books published by N. Mahalingam Institute[6], etc. Therefore, even during 25-30 years, it is surprising and intriguing that they could not find or discover anything or interpret something new from what they already presented / prepared. Researchers should update their data, information and interpretations, so that the research also should be updated to suit the context. Otherwise, why the history subject, syllabus and programmes have not been changed, updated and revised cannot be questioned. As there has been chronological disputes in Indian history, definitely, they have to be sorted out and corrected. As Indian historical writings and historiography has been subjected to ideology with linguistic, racial ethnic, and other bias, prejudice and preconceived notions, the updation has to be done at different levels[7]. The Government should take action to revise and update the syllabus at school, college, University and other academic levels.

S. R. Rama Murthy sitting with Kotresh and T. V. Rangarajan

I started discussing with him about his stand taken on Rama, Krishna etc., and as well as on “Jesus in Kashmir” myth……….

T. V. Rangarajan came near to us, evidently, to know what we discussed…..

However, after listening to, he moved away with “Namaskar”!

The students took group photo with VIPs after the valedictory function

The students took group photo with VIPs after the valedictory function – another view

The students took group photo with VIPs after the valedictory function – another view

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

27-02-2019

[1] Sri M A Narasimhan, 384 Krishna Vilas Road, Mysore 570024, as per the INSA website. http://www.insaindia.res.in/compro04.php

[2] Incidentally, this also appears to be repetitive, as there have been many books and research papers in this context. Actually, the critical editions of the Puranas are required instead of relying upon the Puranic data, as such data was added much during the medieval period. Moreover, the spurious Puranas have to be excluded.

[3] Krishnamurthy of “Bharata Jeeva Tarangi” told that his lecture was directed to the students, how then, these Sanskrit papers read would reach them was not known.

[4] Incidentally, Sanga literatre itself have enugh evdnces to prove that such ornament, known as “Tali” was there during the Sangam period c.500/300 BCE to 100 CE.

[5] BISS conducted an Agama seminar here with the Triplicane Jeeyar and Thathacharya of the Institute.

[6] International Institute for the Study of Ancient Civilizations, 31, Poes Garden, Chennai – 600 086. Then shifted to 102, Mount Road, Chennai – 600 042.

[7] Irrespective of the efforts of BISS, the bias and dominance of other ideological and ideologized histories could not be effectively countered, as could be noted from last 40 years.

Chronology of India – Proceedings of the two day National seminar held at Bangalore on February 18th and 19th 2019 [1]

Chronology of  India – Proceedings of the two day National seminar held at Bangalore on February 18^th and 19^th 2019 [1]

Maharani Lakshmi Ammani College entrance, where the seminar was held…………………..

Maharani Lakshmi Ammani College entrance, where the seminar was held…………………..banner hanging…

Sri Sastry founder of the college….

College reception……

National Seminar on chronology: The two day National seminar on “Chronology of  India” was held at Bangalore on February 18^th and 19^th 2019 at the premises of Maharani Lakshmi Ammani College, malleshwaram 18th cross, Bangalore, India 560055, Bangalore. MLACW (now mLAC) is located in the vicinity of national institutes of repute such as Indian Institute of Science, Institute of Wood Science & Technology, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Raman Research Institute and Central Power Research Institute. It was organized by the Bharatiya Itihasa Sankalana Samiti[1] in association with the Indian Council of Historical Research. Actually, the BISS of various states have already conducted seminars on chronology and I have attended most of them [held at Chennai, Tirupati, Dhanbad etc[2]] and my papers published in their proceedings since 1985[3]. The delegates were accommodated at different places – Yadava Smruti, Kaveri Hostel etc.

Invitation and program…..

The Theme of the Seminar: The organizers moted that “Main Theme: Chronology of Indian History” and the Sub Themes would be as follows:

• Chronology of South India (Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala & Maharashtra)
• Chronology of Archaeological evidences in India
• Chronology of Astronomy in India
• Chronology of Santha Parampara in Indian society
• Chronology of Evolution and development of Indian languages
• Distortion in Indian Chronology & Errors in dating
• Chronology of Construction of Forts in India
• Chronology of Construction of Dams in India
• Chronology of development of Ancient and Medieval science in India
• Chronology of development of Mathematics in India
• Chronology of Development of Society and Archaeological evidence.
• Chronology of Temple construction in India

The paper presenters had not covered all the themes, instead restricting to three or four. On archaeological evidences, there was only on paper and so also on other language-literature- Tamil.

Stage before inauguration…..

Before inauguration – audience RHS from the stage……..

Before inauguration – audience LHS from the stage……..

Students sitting……

The objective of Akila Bharatheeya Itihasa Sankalana Yojana (ABISY): The objective of  ABISY is to write Bharatheeya history from a national perspective. The British distorted Bharatheeya history; destroyed / perverted the tradition, heroes, culture, literature and language. Hence ABISY coordinates patriotic, bold and incorruptible scholars & historians to write history truthfully on the basis of facts and evidences. In order to systematically compile all available facts comprehensively, regional chapters of ABISY have been established throughout the country. The regional chapters are functioning under the name “Bharatheeya Itihasa Sankalana Samithi (BISS)”. Akila Bharatheeya Itihasa Sankalana Yojana is actively involved in bringing out the history of Bharath for the past 5000 years i.,e from 3102 BC, the beginning of kaliyuga onwards.

preparing for lighting a lamp……..

lighting a lamp with a lamp……….

Kotresh – Introducing the theme of the seminar: Prof Kotresh,  ICHR member, pointed out explaining the theme of the seminar that the traditional chronology proposed is questioned by the modern scholars. They say that Ramayana and Mahabharata were myth. Badami inscription clearly recorded the Mahabharat war had taken place in 3102 BCE. Therefore, research has to be done to bring out the facts. The seminar was intended for the purpose. Abhishek Avdhani started the function with chanting of Vedic  mantras.

During prayer – standing-sitting – it appears common………………………….knowingly or unknowingly………………………..

Balamukund Padey – Inaugural address: Balamukund Pandey, National Organizing Secretary, ABISY spoke inaugurating the seminar that he did not know Kannada, not comfortable with English and therefore, he wanted to talk in Hindi. Stressing that they do not write without evidences (Namulam likyate kinchit). He claimed that before the Chartered Act, there were less distortions in Indian history, but after the Act, much distortion started, particularly with the establishment of Royal Asiatic Society. As the British wanted to divide people, the restricted the chronology within 4000 BCE, when the world was supposedly created by god as per the Bible. Accordingly, no date could go beyond that date. The date of Buddha, Adi Sankara have been disputed referred to by traditional and modern scholars with their respective dates, i.e, 18^th cent BCE or 563-483 B.C.E, Adisankara 506-477 BCE or 788-820 CE and so on[4]. As Sankara did not mention Christians and Mohammedans, it is clear that he lived before them…Saraswati valley civilization goes beyond 5000 YBP. Thus he spoke. The last point that “. Tamil literature did not give details about local evidences” is totally wrong, of course, a paper was presented in the seminar on the topic that was discussed below. Ironically, that was the last paper read with one person as audience, besides the sectional president R. Sridhara.

The Chartered Acts introduced: Though, Pandey did not specifically mentioned the Act, the enacted act after 1857 had been the crucial in the context. By the Charter Act of 1793, the Company’s commercial privileges were extended for a further period of twenty years. The Charter Act of 1833 by abolishing the Company’s commercial monopoly altogether completed the earlier step in this regard taken by the Charter Act of 1813. Abolition of slavery was also a very commendable feature of the Act of 1833. The Charter Act of 1853 renewed the authority of the Company and allowed it to retain possession of its Indian territories to be “held in trust for Her Majesty (Queen Victoria) and her heirs and successors”, until the Parliament should otherwise decide. The Charter Act of 1853 by extending Company’s authority over its territories until the Parliament would decide otherwise kept it open for the Parliament to step into authority over the Company at any time. The revolt of 1857-58 offered the opportunity as the demand for divesting the Company of its authority over the Company’s territories.

D. Srinivas – Key-note address: Next, M. D. Srinivas, former ICHR member, gave key-note address introduced himself as a specialist in philosophy and astrophysics. He was never seen in any of the IHC, SIHC, TNHC, APHC, THC etc. He suggested to Sudharshan Rao that all the mss should be digitized. And so also all the inscriptions should be published. Only 1/3 inscriptions have only been published implying that 2/3 not published. Similarly 60,00,000 [6 million / 6 lakhs] mss have not yet been published. Therefore, National Commission should publish all inscription and digitize mss. The other things he spoke about Indian astronomy, Kerala School etc., have been repeated, as he used to mention them in his speech, where he goes. They can be summarized as follows: Thirteen and a half naks.atras ending with Visakha were situated in the northern hemispheres; these were called devanaks.atras. The remaining naks.atras ending with Bharani. that were in the southern hemisphere were called yamanaks.atras (yama: twin, dual). This classification in the Taittirıya Brahman. a (1.5.2.7) corresponds to 2300 BCE. The Satapatha Brahman. a speaks of a marriage between the Seven Sages, the stars of the Ursa Major, and the Krttikas; this is elaborated in the Puran. as where it is stated that the r.s.is remain for a hundred years in each naks.atra. In other words, during the earliest times in India there existed a centennial calendar with a cycle of 2,700 years. Called the Saptarsi calendar, it is still in use in several parts of India. Its current beginning is taken to be 3076 BCE. On the other hand, notices by the Greek historians Pliny and Arrian suggest that, during the Mauryan times, the calendar used in India began in 6676 BCE.

audience listening to M. D. Srivivas, key-note address………

I asked him, quoting –

Shastabdhanam shastardha vyatitastrashyam yugapadha|

Trayadhika vimsatirabdhastdheha mama janmanoatita||

“When sixty times sixty years and three quarter yugas (of the current yuga) had elapsed, twenty three years had then passed since by birth”

That the verse 10. of Kalakriya was also subjected to criticism is evident from the interpretation of the verse. There had been different versions in reading and interpretation of the verse as expressions found in the manuscripts:

1. 60 x 60 = 3600 – 3101 = 499 – 23 = 476 AD / CE.

1. 60 x 60 = 3600 – 3101 = 499 + 78 = 554 AD / CE.

1. AD 522 according to Saka 444; thus, 444 + 78 = 522 AD / CE.

1. 3623 years elapsed; 3600 – 3101 = 522 AD / CE.

1. 60 x 6 = 360; 3101 – 360 = 2741 – 26 = 2715 BC / BCE.

—————————————————————————————————————————————

Srinivas continued, “It is very likely that this calendar was the Saptarsi calendar with a beginning at 6676 BCE. Thus, the Indian astronomical chronology could be fixed in three periods:

1. Rgvedic astronomy (c. 4000? – 2000 BCE).
2. Astronomy of the Brahman. as (2000 – 1000 BCE).
3. Early Siddhantic and early Puranic (1000 BCE – 500 CE)’…………………

When asked about the two dates assigned to Aryabhata based on the interpretation of verse, he did not commit, but stick to 499 CE and not 2742 BCE, as BISS tried to promote. It has to be mentioned here that Sri Ram Sathe has written and published a series of books arguing for the 2742 BCE date and of course, it was in turn pointed ut earlier by Kota Venkatachalam[5].

 

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

27-02-2019

[1]  अखिल भारतीय इतिहास-संकलन योजना / Akhil Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Yojana – http://www.abisy.org/, https://itihasabharati.org/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akhil_Bharatiya_Itihas_Sankalan_Yojana  and http://daniela.berti.free.fr/RiSS.pdf

[2] The proceeding volumes of Chennai, Dhanbad were published immediately and distributed during the seminar itself.

[3] However, in Tamilnadu, a peculiar attitude has emerged with certain individuals, who have been projecting themselves as Secretary, President and so on and working for the BISS, though, they have not been head, seen anywhere in the meetings, seminars or conferences. Those who have been working since 1980s have been neglected.

[4] In 1988 CE a symposium named “The Dating of the Historical Buddha” took place in Gottingen, Germany. The dates proposed by a group of experts who attended goes from 486 BCE to 261 BCE for the decease of the Buddha. Though, different  dates were suggested, the death of the Buddha according to different sources are as follows:

• Long chronology (Ceylonese): 544-543 BCE
• Corrected long chronology: 487-486 BCE
• Short chronology (Indian chronology): 368 BCE
• Buddhist t. Ramaradition (non-scholar): ranges from 2420 to 290 BCE
• Succession of the five patriarchs: Five succession of teachers before Ashoka

[5] Actually, it was the books of Kota Venkatachalam that inspired the members of ABISY and BISS and they started their research. Earlier, Krishnamachariar, T. S. Narayana Sastri, Triveda, and others have published their books mentioning the traditional dates.