The Astronomical Observatories of Jai Singh c12.21

c12.21

53. Restoration.—There has been considerable discussion as to the best means of preserving Jai Singh's observatory at Ujjain ; and it has been suggested that it should be restored and improved, so as to be of help in the work of reforming the Hindu calendar. The instruments, as they now stand, are, however, far too dilapidated to be restored satisfactorily for practical purposes. They should be preserved as relics, and only restored to such an extent as to show them, more or less, in their original state. To attempt to do more with them would be foolish. Originally the instruments were by no means the best devised by Jai Singh, and they never were instruments of accuracy in the modern sense. The work of restoration should have for its end the proper preservation of the instruments in their original form : and to this end I make the following suggestions :—