14/04/2022, 13:41 Brahmagupta-II, not Isaac Newton, discovered gravity: Rajasthan education minister - Times of India

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Brahmagupta-II, not Isaac Newton, discovered gravity:

Rajasthan education minister
TNN | Jan 10, 2018, 03.47 AM IST

JAIPUR: A Rajasthan minister known for his controversial remarks has now
claimed that Indian mathematician and astronomer Brahmagupta-II (598-
670) discovered the law of gravity over 1,000 years before Issac Newton
(1642-1727) did.

Speaking at the 72nd foundation day ceremony of Rajasthan University on

Monday, state education minister Vasudev Devnani wondered why the
“fact” was not included in the academic curriculum.

“Since childhood, we have been reading that Newton discovered the law
of gravity, but in reality, an Indian astronomer discovered it, if you revisit
history,” said Devani.

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Amid criticism, the minister asked his detractors on Tuesday to read texts and books by Brahmagupta before passing any
judgement on his statement. “An impression is being made that I have made a fictional statement. I would not comment on my
statement. Rather, I would ask those who have expressed disbelief and shock to at least read the texts of Brahmagupta or read
the research carried out on him by modern scientists,” he added.

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14/04/2022, 13:41 Brahmagupta-II, not Isaac Newton, discovered gravity: Rajasthan education minister - Times of India

Meanwhile, historians partially substantiated Devnani’s claim by presenting empirical evidence, including coins, texts and
manuscripts.

The head of history department at Rajasthan University, K G Sharma, quoted a Sanskrit verse from Brahmagupta’s book
‘Brahmasphutasiddhanta’ (628): “A body falls towards the Earth as it is the nature of the Earth to attract bodies just as it in the
nature of the water to flow.” This statement indicates Brahmagupta’s understanding of gravity, which was later elaborated on by
another Indian astronomer, Bhaskara II (1114-1185), in his book ‘Surya Siddhanta’ in 1150. Major texts authored by Brahmagupta
include ‘Khandakhadyaka’ (665) and ‘Cadamakela’ (624).

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14/04/2022, 13:41 Brahmagupta-II, not Isaac Newton, discovered gravity: Rajasthan education minister - Times of India

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