06-16-2008, 01:50 PM
Contributions to Physics from Ancient India
Dr. B. N. Narahari Achar
Although contributions to Mathematics and Astronomy from ancient India are acknowledged, even if grudgingly, contributions to Physics per se are not even mentioned in books on History of Physics. This paper will survey the contributions regarding topics, which are generally considered to be in the domain of Physics. We will examine concepts of space, time, motion, velocity, momentum, action at a distance, rotation, sound etc. We will even present typical example problems in kinematics from a popular text of the 10th century CE. You will be surprised to find NewtonÃs first law of motion there. Some people even consider the law of gravitation to have been found. Judge for yourself.
Dr. B. N. Narahari Achar
Although contributions to Mathematics and Astronomy from ancient India are acknowledged, even if grudgingly, contributions to Physics per se are not even mentioned in books on History of Physics. This paper will survey the contributions regarding topics, which are generally considered to be in the domain of Physics. We will examine concepts of space, time, motion, velocity, momentum, action at a distance, rotation, sound etc. We will even present typical example problems in kinematics from a popular text of the 10th century CE. You will be surprised to find NewtonÃs first law of motion there. Some people even consider the law of gravitation to have been found. Judge for yourself.