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The Origin and Growth of Astronomy, as Viewed from an Indian Context

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Highlighting the History of Astronomy in the Asia-Pacific Region

Part of the book series: Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings ((ASSSP))

Abstract

We attempt to create a comprehensive model for the origin and growth of astronomy in a culture. We show that it primarily follows four distinct phases that we classify as the initial, settlement, civilization and technology-based phases. Using examples from Indian prehistory and history we show that these phases mark distinct steps in the growth of astronomy in a culture. While the examples are taken from Indian culture, we suggest that it also should be possible to identify these phases in other cultures.

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Acknowledgement

We wish to thank the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust for the financial assistance for the programme. We also wish to thank our colleagues, but particularly Parag Mahajani, V Nandagopal, Hrishikesh Joglekar, Srikumar Menon, Aniket Sule, Sudha Bhujle, Kavita Gangal, Bhagyashree Tarde, P.P. Divakaran and B.V. Subbarayappa, who through long discussions have helped us formalise our ideas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India

    M. N. Vahia

Authors
  1. M. N. Vahia
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  2. Nisha Yadav
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. N. Vahia .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Astronomy, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, Queensland, Australia

    Wayne Orchiston

  2. Higashi-Ikebukuro 2-51-4, Toshima, 170-0013, Japan

    Tsuko Nakamura

  3. ASTRON, P.O. Box 2, AA Dwingeloo, 7990, Netherlands

    Richard G. Strom

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Vahia, M.N., Yadav, N. (2011). The Origin and Growth of Astronomy, as Viewed from an Indian Context. In: Orchiston, W., Nakamura, T., Strom, R. (eds) Highlighting the History of Astronomy in the Asia-Pacific Region. Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8161-5_5

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