Meru Prastaar: The Wonder World of Indian Mathematics

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If you want to master mathematics, study Indian Mathematics. For Indian Mathematics, this is the book.

Did you know that the binary number system was developed in India? That algebra was also developed in ancient India? That Baudhayana's Sulbasutra predates Pythagoras theorem?

What is popularly called the Pascal's triangle is predated by Pingala's Meru Prastaar by at least 1,800 years.

Know about all these and much more in this book.

Chandrahas M Halai is a mathematics enthusiast from the land of the Sulba sutras, the Bakhshali manuscript, and mathematicians like Aryabhatt, Brahmagupta, Bhaskaracharya, Ramanujan and many more.

He is a consultant in the field of computer aided engineering, engineering optimisation, computer science and operations research.

He writes research papers, articles and books on mathematics, physics, engineering, computer science and operations research.

In his spare time, he likes doing nature photography and painting.

Most of the Indians know that their ancestors had made significant contributions to the subject of Mathematics. But very few of us know about what specific contributions were made. People in their pride and / or ignorance make either tall or false claims about ancient Indian Mathematics, thereby doing disservice to our nation and its rich mathematical heritage.

There was a need to set the narrative straight and create awareness amongst the masses. As a humble effort in this direction, I started writing and publishing articles and papers on ancient and medieval Indian Mathematics on my blog and other platforms.

I have referred to primary or credible sources of information for all my articles and papers on Indian sciences. In most of the places, I have quoted original Sanskrit verses from the texts and then given their meaning in English.

Like my articles, I have written this book in interesting and easy to read format so that more people can read and appreciate the contents.

Amid overwhelmingly encouraging response to my articles, there were suggestions from many readers that my articles should be compiled into an accessible and informative book on India's mathematical heritage. This motivated me to compile this interesting and introductory book on Indian mathematics written in a popular format.

During the middle of the 7th century CE, a most beautiful Shiva temple known as Kailasha was carved out of a hill of basalt rock at Ellora near Aurangabad in Maharashtra. This temple, the largest monolithic structure in the world, has intricate architecture and superb artwork. Thousands of tonnes of rock were excavated to make this possible. Intricate sculptures were also carved on the ceiling of the temple making the task of the sculptor all the more challenging. One mistake by the shilpi would have ruined the entire project.

Kailasha temple is not only an architectural marvel but also an engineering one and proof of the superior engineering skills of the builders. Technological advancement is not possible without the development of mathematics and we have ample evidence that India was the leading scientific and mathematical nation of the ancient world.

That ancient India developed the decimal place value number system is widely known, but it is less known that India gave the world the binary number system. Baudhayana's Shulbasutra predates Pythagoras theorem, and both algebra and calculus originated in India. What we popularly call Pascal's triangle is predated by Pingala's Meru Prastara by at least 1800 years, and what is known as the Fibonacci sequence is actually Virahanka's Sankhyanka.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages