Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c6.15

v1.c6.15

Astronomical Science in the Vedic Period, as found preserved in the Four Vedas including the Rigveda, is characterised by its mostly localised Indian content. In the Babylonian Period, many Mesopotamian astronomical elements were integrated into Indian astronomy. This included methods of measuring length and change of time as well as mathematical models, time units and instruments originated from Babylon. In the Hellenistic Babylonian Period, inputs from the Greeks modified and expanded Babylonian astronomy. Its contents included descriptions of planetary configuration as well as issues such as solar and lunar eclipses, length of shadow and so on. Some of its contents were preserved in Pañcasiddhāntikā which was written sometime in 575 CE. The Greek Period of Indian astronomy, lasting over 1,000 years produced many outstanding Indian astronomers and classics contributing to the successive formation of five astronomical schools (paksas). Among them, the earliest was the Brāhmapaksa which was established in circa 400 CE. Having the longest history of over 1,500 years, its impact on Indian astronomy was the most profound. The others included Āryapaksa founded in 500 CE, the Ārdharātikapaksa established also in 500 CE, the Saurapaksa created in 800 CE and the Gaṇeśapaksa launched in 1500 CE. With the spread of Islam into India, an Islamic astronomical period existed between 1600 CE to 1800 CE. This was followed by the British colonial rule which witnessed a period of direct contact with modern and contemporary Western astronomy.