Relevance: GS Paper I – Indian Culture & Scientific Heritage; Source: The Hindu, NCERT

Why in News

The newly released NCERT Class 7 Mathematics textbook – Ganita Prakash (Part II) highlights India’s pioneering role in developing algebra and other mathematical concepts.

Core Idea

The term “Algebra” originates from the Arabic word al-jabr, meaning “restoration” or “balancing.” However, the foundations of algebraic thinking—such as operations with zero, positive and negative numbers, and solving equations—were first formalised in India by ancient mathematicians. These concepts were later translated and transmitted westward through Arabic scholars.

Major Indian Contributions

• Brahmagupta (7th century CE) – In his seminal work Brahmasphutasiddhanta, he introduced rules for arithmetic operations involving zero and negative numbers, and gave early algebraic equations using unknowns.
  
• Bhaskaracharya (12th century CE) – His treatise Bijaganita (“The Seed of Calculation”) focused exclusively on algebra, elaborating methods for solving quadratic and linear equations.
  
• Sulba Sutras (Vedic Age) – Part of the Vedic corpus, these texts contained geometric principles and ratios used in altar construction, forming the basis of early mathematical reasoning in India.
  

Educational and Policy Significance

• Reflects the integration of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
  
• Seeks to correct colonial biases in the teaching of mathematical history by acknowledging indigenous innovation.
  
• Reinforces SDG 4 – Quality Education, by promoting scientific awareness rooted in India’s intellectual traditions.
  

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

1. With reference to ancient Indian mathematics, consider the following statements:

1. Brahmagupta’s Brahmasphutasiddhanta introduced the concept of zero as a number.
   
2. Bhaskaracharya’s Bijaganita is among the earliest texts devoted entirely to algebra.
   
3. The Sulba Sutras primarily contain rules of geometry related to altar construction.
   

Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 3 only

Answer: (c)

One-line Wrap:
Centuries before Europe, India’s ancient mathematicians laid the intellectual foundation of algebra — blending science, logic, and philosophy into the study of numbers.