A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v2.c32.t1.127

v2.c32.t1.127

We now advert for a moment to the main question of the connection of the comparatively modern and scientific phase of Hindu astronomy with the science of Alexandria. Although it is admitted by all those who are entitled to speak with authority on the subject that the Hindus borrowed from the Greeks and thus improved upon their older system, many points have yet to be cleared up. Professor Whitney who has carefully studied the subject is struck with the circumstance that the Súryya and other Siddhántas bear resemblance to the system of Hipparchus rather than that in the Syntax.* In other words the transmittance of astronomical knowledge must have taken place before the time of Ptolemy. Now the period of lively intercourse is precisely that covered by the age of Ptolemy and that of his followers, and yet the Indian astronomers seem to be unaware of his teachings.†