Hindu Achievements in Exact Science: A Study in the History of Scientific Development c3: Preface
Hindu Achievements in Exact Science: A Study in the History of Scientific Development c3
- Language
- English
Preface
c3.1
THE main object of this little book is to furnish some of the chronological links and logical affinities between the scientific investigations of the Hindus and those of the Greeks, Chinese, and Saracens. Details relating to the migration of discoveries have been generally avoided, as they require a treatment more technical than the present scope and space admit. Nor have all the achievements of the Hindus in any branch of science been treated in an exhaustive manner.
c3.2
It has been sought to present a comprehensive, though very brief account of the entire scientific work of ancient and mediæval India in the perspective of developments in other lands. From the standpoint of modern science a great part of all that is described here is too elementary to have more than an anthropological interest. If, however, the facts of Hindu and Chinese science were made available in more extensive volumes than has yet been done, the students of comparative culture-history would find that the tendencies of the Oriental mind have not been essentially distinct from those of the Occidental.
c3.3
The works that have been frequently consulted are given in the Bibliography. Special mention must be made of the writings of Professors Nalinbehari Mitra and Brajendranath Seal. For some of the Sanskrit literature on Hindu science I have made use of my "Positive Background of Hindu Sociology."
c3.4
I am indebted to the authorities of Harvard University for the privilege of using its library.
c3.5
BENOY KUMAR SARKAR
c3.6
Cambridge, Mass. April 15 1917