Mathematics in Ancient and Medieval India c10.2

c10.2

Vast amount of mathematical literature of the medieval period were written in Persian and Arabic and are now available in different oriental libraries in India. Many standard works were also brought in the Sultanate and Mughal Periods from outside world. Attempt was made during this period to prepare translations and write commentaries on these texts. Sultans and Mughal rulers built up hundreds of *maktabs* for elementary education and *madrasahs* for higher education. There were also institutions which laid special emphasis on special field of study like mathematics, astronomy or medicine. Lahore, Delhi and Lucknow became important centres of learning in the period. Education and activities also grew in Jaunpur, Kashmir, Gujrat, Malwa, Bengal, Bihar, Khandwah, and Deccan. In different *madrasahs* subjects like grammer rhetoric, logic, theology, metaphysics, literature, jurisprudence were mainly taught. The teaching of astronomy, mathematics and medicines were not very satisfactory in these *madrasahs*, and Muslims preferred to attend Hindu institutions to master these subjects¹.