Mathematics in Ancient and Medieval India c4.s1.4

c4.s1.4

*Vedic Sources on Mathematics*—The critical mathematical knowledge of Sūtra literature led us to assume that there were mathematical works of even earlier age but they are lost. The names of seven śulbakāras are known. They are: Baudhāyana, Āpastamba, Kātyāyana, Mānava, Maitrāyana, Vārāha and Hiraṇyakeśī. The śulba works by these authors give methods and solutions of various problems of construction of altars required for Vedic sacrifices. The authors may be regarded as geometrician of the Vedic times. The *śulbasūtras* (connected to Śrauta section of the Kalpasūtra) of Baudhāyana, Āpastamba, Kātyāyana, Mānava, Maitrāyana, Vārāha and Hiraṇyakeśī are the main sources of our Vedic mathematics¹.