The Astronomical Observatories of Jai Singh c4.6

c4.6

At an early age Jai Singh showed a predilection for astronomical work and, according to his own account, by constant study he obtained a thorough knowledge of its principles and rules. He found the astronomical tables in use defective and set himself the task of preparing new ones. With this purpose in view Jai Singh took every means to ensure success. He attached himself to no particular school but studied Hindu, Muslim and European methods impartially. He collected astronomical books and had certain of them translated; he organised a regular staff of workers and sent some of them to foreign countries to collect information; he invited certain Europeans and others interested in astronomy to Jaipur; he built a large observatory at Delhi and made careful observations there for seven years with a preparation of a new star catalogue; and afterwards he built other observatories at Jaipur, Ujjain, Benares and Mathurā. Such in brief were his astronomical activities which we now proceed to describe in some detail.