ARYABHATA

Aryabhata was the first Indian mathematician and astronomer. He had

immense knowledge in the field of mathematics. Moreover, he did
many discoveries during his era. For instance, some of them were the
discovery of algebraic identities, trigonometrical functions, the value of
pi, Place value system, etc.

The Early Life of Aryabhata

Aryabhata was born in 475 A.D and he was a native of Kusumapura

or Pataliputra (present day Patna, Bihar).
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modern-day. Moreover, from his
historical records, the archaeologists believed that he continued his
further studies in Kusumapura. Because in Kusumapura his major
astronomical observatory was located.

Therefore, we can ascertain that Aryabhata spent most of the time there.
Further, some historians believe that he was also the head of Nalanda
University in Kusumpura.

Work of Aryabhata

Aryabhata contributed greatly to the field of mathematics. For instance,

he was responsible for discovering various trigonometrical functions
which are useful for us in the modern era too.

Furthermore, his discovery for the value of ‘pi’ eased the complications
in mathematics. Above all, he founded the place value system and zero
which are one of his major contributions in the history of mathematics
Apart from his discoveries in the field of mathematics, Aryabhata
contributed immensely towards astronomy. He proposed the
heliocentric theory which states the planets revolve around the Sun.
with the help of this theory, he calculated the speed of the different
planets with respect to the Sun.

Furthermore, he also calculated the sidereal rotation which is the

rotation of the earth in reference to the stars. Moreover, he founded the
sidereal year to be 365 days, 6 hours, 12 minutes and 30 seconds which
varies with only 3 minutes and 20 seconds over the modern-day value.

Contributions of Aryabhata

Most noteworthy is that Aryabhata correctly founded that the earth

rotates on its axis. Furthermore, he also proposed the geocentric model
of the solar system which described the earth to be the center of the
universe. And the sun, the moon, and the planets revolve around it.

Aryabhata also explained the solar and lunar eclipses in his book.
Consequently, he also proposed that the moon due to the reflection of
the sunlight. He explained in his book that the lunar eclipse and the
solar eclipse takes by the shadow-casting of the earth and the moon.

In conclusion Aryabhata approximations in the field of astronomy were

quite accurate. It provided the core to the computational paradigm
which provides a base to the modern theories.