A Concise History of Science in India c6.10

c6.10

From what has been stated above, and will appear in what follows, there is no doubt that astronomy was cultivated to a considerable extent in India in the Vedic times. The selection of a few fixed stars for the development of a system of lunar mansions, the fixation of a *sāvana* year of 360 days, based upon the variation of the length of day, the elaboration of a quinquennial cycle with intercalary months, going back to the time of the *Ṛgveda*, the idea of the four mundane ages and several other findings abundantly show their interest and proficiency in astronomy. This Brāhmaṇic interest and proficiency did not also escape the notice of foreign observers and writers, for Megasthenes found the *yuga* system flourishing in full perfection and Strabo referred to astronomy as a favourite occupation of the Brāhmaṇas.b