History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v1.c7.s10.76

v1.c7.s10.76

**Date of Invention.** The use of the word numerals in the *Agni-Purâṇa* which was composed in the 4th century A.D. or earlier, shows that the word system of numerals must have become quite common in India at that time, the *Purâṇas* being works meant for the common folk. That it was a well developed system in the fourth century is also shown by its extensive use in the *Sûrya-siddhânta* and the *Puliśa-siddhânta*. Its invention consequently must be placed at least two centuries earlier. This would give us the period, 100 A.D. to 200 A.D., as the time of its invention. This conclusion is supported by the epigraphic use of the word notation in 605 A.D., in Cambodia, which shows that by the end of the 6th century A.D., the knowledge of the system had spread over an area roughly of the size of Europe.