The Astronomical Observatories of Jai Singh c9.1

c9.1

27. The masonry instruments, which vary in size from a few feet to 90 feet in height, are Jai Singh’s chief work. It has already been related how Jai Singh discarded brass instruments, and built massive masonry ones in their place. His reasons appeared to be, but were not altogether, sound. The brass instruments were, he said, faulty, because of their mobility and size.¹ The axes became worn and the instruments untrue; the graduations were too small for fine measurements, etc. His remedy was to make large, immovable instruments: but he thus stereotyped his designs, and hindered further improvements. The larger and more immobile an instrument is the greater is the difficulty in making alterations and improvements. Jai Singh sacrificed facility for supposed accuracy.