Aryabhata
- Born:
- 476 CE, Kusumpura (modern Patna), India
- Died:
- 550 CE (aged 74), possibly Kusumpura
- Nationality:
- Indian
- Profession(s):
- Mathematician, Astronomer, Astrologer
Early Life and Education
- Little definitive information exists about Aryabhata's family or formal education.
- He likely received specialized training in mathematics and astronomy, possibly at an institution in Kusumpura.
- The exact location of his birthplace remains a subject of scholarly debate, although Kusumpura is widely accepted.
Career and Major Achievements
- Aryabhata was the first major Indian mathematician and astronomer whose work and name have come down to modern times.
- He is the author of the Aryabhatiya, a seminal work on mathematics and astronomy.
- He established that the Earth rotates on its axis and that the planets revolve around the Sun, though this heliocentric view was not widely accepted at the time.
- He provided accurate calculations for the length of the sidereal year.
- He developed methods for calculating trigonometric functions.
- Aryabhata's mathematical work included calculations of areas and volumes of various geometrical figures.
- He contributed to the development of algebra.
Notable Works
- Aryabhatiya (499 CE): A comprehensive treatise covering mathematics and astronomy, written in verse.
- Aryabhata's Aryabhatiya, for which information is available, including a detailed aryabhatta biography in hindi wikipedia in hindi and other online resources, is his most celebrated contribution.
- Arya-siddhanta (lost): Although a primary source has not survived, some of the work is known through the writings of later commentators.
Legacy and Impact
Aryabhata's contributions revolutionized mathematics and astronomy in India and influenced scientific development globally. His work laid the foundation for later Indian mathematicians and astronomers, and his ideas were transmitted to the Islamic world and eventually to Europe. He is considered one of the most important figures in the history of mathematics and astronomy.