The Astronomical Observatories of Jai Singh c15.2

c15.2

Of Jai Singh's theories we have but little information: tradition or mistake has allotted to him the whole Ptolemaic theory, and possibly he accepted it all; but he must have been acquainted with the teaching of Kepler, Galilei and Newton for he possessed the works of La Hire, Flamsteed and others. The topics he dealt with are outlined in the preface to the *Zij Muhammad Shāhi*. Principally he was concerned with the design of instruments and practical observation, with a view to the preparation of a catalogue of the stars, etc. His bent was practical, and he was particularly anxious to eliminate instrumental errors.