Bharatiya Jyotihshastra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v2.c12.s5.71.2

v2.c12.s5.71.2

Such attempts on a moderate scale must have always been made in the past, but we have at present a reliable information about only one attempt of this kind made on a very big scale. It is as follows :—Jaya Simha (page 169) built five observatories. The author is giving below, an extract** from the introduction to his own works KSIZ MOHOMED by name. It will give a complete idia about his efforts :— “so incapable are human beings of comprehending the powers of the Almighty that Hipparchus can be said to be simply a rustic, and Ptolemy only a swallow. The theorems of Euclid are but an imperfect form of divine work. Similar by, thousands of people like Jamsedkasī and Nasīrtusī, have laboured in vain and became fatigued. The calculations made from works on astronomy like those of Sayad Gurganī and Khayānī, the Ākbarśāhi work of Inśil-al-Mulācand and astronomical works of Hindu writers as also those of European writers, do not agree with observed phenomena ; especially, the new moon’s appearance, risings and settings of planets, eclipses and conjunctions of planets do not agree with observation at all. When this fact was told to Emperor Mohomadsāh†, he asked him (i.e. Jaya Simha) to decide the matter. He erected at Delhi instruments like those erected by Mirzā Ulugbeg at Samar-kand . . . . .