RAS question
Brahmagupta, the mathematician who formalized rules for zero, worked at:
Correct answer: (C) Ujjain (Bhinmal).
Brahmagupta, who systematized arithmetic rules for zero and negative numbers, worked at Ujjain. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, he probably wrote the Brahma-sphuta-siddhanta while living at Bhillamala, modern Bhinmal.
Explanation
Brahmagupta (598-668 CE) is associated with both Ujjain and Bhillamala, modern Bhinmal, rather than the other ancient centres in the options. He worked at Ujjain and wrote the Brahmasphutasiddhanta in 628 CE. Encyclopaedia Britannica says that the work was probably written while he was living at Bhillamala. In its mathematical chapters, Brahmagupta defined zero as the result of subtracting a number from itself and gave arithmetic rules for negative and positive numbers. He also gave a formula for the area of a cyclic quadrilateral. Option C names both Ujjain and Bhinmal, so it is the correct answer.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Pataliputra is not associated with Brahmagupta's work. He worked at Ujjain, and Encyclopaedia Britannica says that the Brahmasphutasiddhanta was probably written while he was living at Bhillamala.
- (B) Taxila is not associated with Brahmagupta's work. The relevant links are Ujjain as his place of work and Bhillamala as the probable place where he wrote the Brahmasphutasiddhanta.
- (D) Nalanda is not associated with Brahmagupta's work. His work is linked instead with Ujjain and Bhillamala, modern Bhinmal.
Concept
This tests a recurring RAS theme in ancient Indian science and culture: matching major scholars with their works, centres and contributions. Brahmagupta is important because he is associated with zero, negative numbers, mathematical astronomy and the Brahmasphutasiddhanta.