History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v1.c7.s7.10

v1.c7.s7.10

Even after the invention of the zero and the place-value system, the same numerical symbols from 1 to 9, continued to be employed with the zero to denote numbers. Thus the gradual development of these forms can be easily traced. This gradual change from the old system without place-value to the new system with the zero and the place-value is to be met with in India alone. All other nations of the world have given up their indigenous numerical symbols which they had used without place-value and have adopted the zero and a new set of symbols, which were never in use in those countries previously. This fact alone is a strong proof of the Hindu origin of the zero and the place-value system.