Babylonian and Indian Astronomy: Early Connections

Details Babylonian and Indian Astronomy: Early Connections Babylonian and Indian Astronomy: Early Connections

2003-01-31

arxiv.org/abs/physics/0301078v2

History of Science, Philosophy & Culture in Indian Civilization, vol. 1, part 4 (A Golden Chain, G.C. Pande, ed.), pp. 847-869

Physics

History and Philosophy of Physics

37 pages; with minor corrections

Scientific paper

Did the Indian and Babylonian astronomy evolve in isolation, was there mutual influence, or was one dependent on the other? Scholars have debated these questions for more than two centuries, and opinion has swung one way or the other with time. The similarities between the two systems that have been investigated are: the use of 30 divisions of the lunar month; the 360 divisions of the civil year; the length of the year; and the solar zodiac. Some have wondered if the Babylonian planetary tables might have played a role in the theories of the siddhantas. I shall in this essay go over the essentials of the early Indian and Babylonian astronomy and summarize the latest views on the relationship between them. I shall show that the key ideas found in the Babylonian astronomy of 700 BC are already present in the Vedic texts, which even by the most conservative reckoning are centuries older than this period. I shall also show that the solar zodiac (rashis) was used in Vedic India and I shall present a plausible derivation of the symbols of the solar zodiac from the deities of the lunar segments. This does not mean that the Babylonian astronomy and astrology is derived from the Indian tradition. If at all there was borrowing, that was restricted to the most general ideas only. The nature of Indian and Babylonian astronomical methods is quite different. I propose that it is most likely that Babylonian astronomy emerged independently.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Babylonian and Indian Astronomy: Early Connections does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Babylonian and Indian Astronomy: Early Connections, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Babylonian and Indian Astronomy: Early Connections will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-564143