RAS question
Aryabhata is known for:
Correct answer: (C) Proposing that the Earth rotates on its axis.
Aryabhata is known for proposing that the Earth rotates on its own axis.
Explanation
Aryabhata (476-550 AD) belongs to the classical age of Indian astronomy. He is associated with Kusumapura, identified with modern Patna, and quite possibly with the Nalanda School. He wrote the Aryabhatiya in 499 AD. It is considered the earliest preserved scientific work from this period to bear an individual author's name and covers both mathematics and astronomy. Aryabhata accepted the possibility that the Earth rotates on its own axis, so option C is correct. He also gave an approximate value of pi as 3.1416, explained eclipses scientifically, and used zero as a place-holder. These contributions belong to astronomy and mathematics, not surgery, the telescope, or the theory of gravity.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) The Sushruta Samhita is associated with Sushruta and surgery, while Aryabhata's work belongs to astronomy and mathematics.
- (B) The invention of the telescope is attributed to Galileo, while Aryabhata is known for his work in ancient Indian mathematics and astronomy.
- (D) The theory of gravity is attributed to Newton, while Aryabhata is known for Earth's rotation and related astronomical work.
Concept
This question connects Aryabhata's life, the Aryabhatiya, and his scientific ideas with the study of mathematics and astronomy in ancient India. RAS repeatedly asks about such associations among scholars, their works, and their major contributions.