Pre-Siddhantic Astronomy

Pre-Siddhantic Astronomy

Research Cluster Overview

Research Cluster: Indian Knowledge Systems
Topic: Pre-Siddhantic Astronomy
Theme: History of Science

Overview: History of Science has been recognised globally for its immense value in enhancing interest in modern sciences among students. Scientific Research into Indian Knowledge Systems is a major focus area in the Indian government’s effort in education as encapsulated in the recent National Education Policy, as well as as, as driven by the Indian Knowledge Systems Division (IKSD) of the Ministry of Education. Integrating Indic methods of knowledge generation and propagation with modern approaches is an important part of IKSD’s mission. This calls for interdisciplinary R&D in subjects, original to Indic world view. Coeval with the Vedic samhit?, br?hma?a works, IKS was initiated in ancient India by scientist sages Par??ara, Garga, Devala, Lagadha and others. Critical study and understanding of texts on astral sciences that have come down to us from the hoary past is still a missing link. The center’s research clusters and sub-themes directly address and contribute to this aspect of the IKSD mission.

Expected Outcomes

  • Greater awareness in the early origins of Indian astronomy
  • Greater awareness in the now obscure origins of week-days, zodiac, and jataka astrology
  • Understanding of Vedic origins of Indian astronomy

Current Projects

  • Mahasalila – An ancient vedanga astronomy text
  • Study of comets and related phenomena in ancient Sanskrit texts
  • Study of Vrddha Garga’s astronomy
  • Early Time Measurement

Faculty Details & CVs

Lead Faculty: Sudarshan HS
Designation: Research Associate
Department: Centre for Ancient History and Culture
Location: Bangalore
Contact: 9880634594
Email: hs.sudarshan@jainuniversity.ac.in

Faculty Members:
Prof. R. N. Iyengar, Director – CV
Prof. Shankar Rajaraman, Associate Professor
Sudarshan HS, Research Associate
Hariharan RS, Research Assistant
Smitha Bhatta, Research Assistant
Roopa Ramesh, Research Assistant
Warija Adiga, Research Assistant
Sunder Chakravarty, Research Assistant

Collaborating Opportunities

Internal: TBD
External: TBD
Other Collaborations: Nil