Astronomy in India

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Questions and Answers

What is the significance of the calendar sticks found in the Andaman islands?

They recorded solar eclipses.

They served as astrological predictions.

They were used to document lunar phases. (correct)

They traced the path of the stars.

Which ancient civilization is associated with discovered ringstones that may have functioned as calendrical devices?

Mesopotamian civilization

Mesoamerican civilization

Ancient Egyptian civilization

Indus civilization (correct)

What celestial event is potentially depicted in rock art patterns found in Kashmir?

Lunar eclipse

Planetary alignment

Supernova (correct)

Comet appearance

How was the year structured in the Rig-Veda?

360 days divided into 12 equal parts. Signup and view all the answers

What celestial phenomenon did the ancient Indians attempt to reconcile with lunar and solar years?

Addition of a month after five years Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the streets in Mohenjo-daro?

They show east-west alignment. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of celestial objects did ancient people feel a need to connect with, as suggested in the content?

To relate to cycles in the universe. Signup and view all the answers

When do researchers believe the calendar sticks were created, marking the earliest astronomical objects in India?

12,000 years ago Signup and view all the answers

What does the mention of ‘3,339 gods’ in the historical context likely refer to?

The 18-year cycle of eclipses known as the saros Signup and view all the answers

How many lunar mansions or nakṣatras does the Yajur-Veda list?

27 Signup and view all the answers

What was the approximate date range for the Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa as dated by scholars?

12th to 14th centuries BCE Signup and view all the answers

What is the length of the sidereal day as mentioned in the Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa?

23 h 56 min 4.6 s Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'adhikamāsa' refer to in astronomical context?

An intercalary lunar month Signup and view all the answers

Which period is characterized by the development of Jain astronomy?

3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE Signup and view all the answers

What significant time scale was conceived during the early historical period?

A day of Brahmā (kalpa) lasting 4.32 billion years Signup and view all the answers

How does the solar year compare in days to the lunar year?

The solar year is about 365.24 days Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of the difference between the solar and lunar years?

An intercalary month must be added to the lunar year Signup and view all the answers

What influences were potentially observed in the astronomical developments during this period?

Babylonian and Greek Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Beginnings of Indian Astronomy

The earliest astronomical artifacts in India date back to the palaeolithic era, approximately 12,000 years ago, and include calendar sticks from the Andaman Islands for tracking lunar phases.
Rock art in Kashmir, thought to represent a supernova and meteor showers, suggests early astronomical observations around 7,000 years ago.
Ringstones found at Mohenjo-daro (Indus civilization, 2600-1900 BCE) may have functioned as calendrical devices to monitor the sunrise throughout the year.
The streets of Mohenjo-daro are perfectly aligned to the east-west, potentially reflecting observations of the star cluster Pleiades (Kṛttikā).
The Rig-Veda, the oldest of four Vedas, mentions a 360-day year divided into twelve parts and records a solar eclipse metaphorically, indicating early astronomical knowledge.
The "3,339 gods" in the Rig-Veda might reference the 18-year lunar eclipse cycle known as the saros, highlighting an ancient tradition of eclipse observation.
The Yajur-Veda presents a lunar year of 354 days and a solar year of 365 days, categorizing the year into six seasons (ṛtus).

Development of Calendrical Astronomy

The late Vedic period saw advancements in calendrical astronomy, culminating in the Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa text by Lagadha, the first known Indian scientific work, dating between the 12th and 14th centuries BCE.
The text accurately calculated the length of the sidereal day as 23h 56m 4.6s, showing a difference of only seconds from the true value, reflecting high precision.
The Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa discusses astronomical phenomena such as solstices and equinoxes and introduces intercalary lunar months to maintain alignment with the solar calendar.

The Early Historical Period

Spanning the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE, this period involved intricate astronomical computations based on planetary movements and positions.
Jain astronomy emerged during this time, characterized by a unique dual model consisting of 27 nakṣatras, two suns, and two moons, contributing to advanced calendrical calculations.
Concepts of immense time scales arose, including the ‘day of Brahmā’ (kalpa) estimated at 4.32 billion years, which is remarkably close to contemporary scientific estimates of Earth's age.
Influences from Babylonian and Greek astronomy were noted, particularly in the introduction of the seven-day week, showcasing cross-cultural exchanges during this period.

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Description

Explore the rich history of astronomy in India, beginning with ancient artifacts found in the Andaman Islands that date back to the palaeolithic era. Discover how early civilizations documented lunar phases and other celestial phenomena. This quiz sheds light on the foundational aspects of Indian astronomy and its significance.