Ancient Indian Numerals 5.1 Do you know Description Image Source The Brahmi numerical system of notation with twenty symbols was first of all used in rd Rock Edicts of Asoka. the rock edicts of Asoka in the 3 century BCE. The decimal system of notation with nine unit figures and a zero was used in India as early as the 6th century CE. The Indian astronomers and mathematicians are given the credit of inventing this system sometime in the 5th-6th Hindu astronomical texts and century CE. Later on it was popularized in inscriptions of different ruling the royal courts for writing inscriptions and dynasties. by merchants and common people for counting. The system was borrowed by the Arabs and from the Arabs it was transmitted to Europe. The decimal system was used in the epigraphs of Cambodia and Indonesia in the 7th century CE. The dates are mentioned as Saka 605 (683 CE), Saka 606 (684 CE) and Inscriptions of South-east Asia. Saka 608 (686 CE). The use of the Saka era and the decimal place value makes it fairly apparent that the system originated in India and transmitted to other parts of the world. 5.2 Timeline Timelines Image Description Earliest occurrence of Brahmi and Kharosthi numerals in 3rd century BCE the rock edicts of Asoka. The Brahmi numerical symbols were used in the epigraphs of many ruling dynasties of India like the 1st century BCE Satavahanas, the Saka-Ksatrapas and the Kushanas. In to 3rd century CE the coins of the Ksatrapas we also come across the use of the symbols. 4th-6th century The numerical symbols are also found in records of the CE Guptas and their contemporaries. The decimal system of notation was first used in the 6th century CE astronomical works of Aryabhatta, Varahamihira and Brahmagupta. Towards the end of the century it system was used in the Mankani plates of Taralasvami dated in Kalacuri era 346 or 594-95 CE. This was a phase of transition from the numerical to the decimal system of notation. The process is apparent 6th-9th century fromn the records of the Eastern Gangas of Kalinga. The CE earliest Ganga grant where the decimal system was perfectly used is the Siddhantam grant of Devendravarman dated in Ganga era 195 or 693 CE. The decimal system was used perfectly in some of the 7th century CE inscriptions of Cambodia and Indonesia. The earliest being dated in Saka 605 or 683 CE. Complete displacement of the numerical system by the 10th century CE decimal system notation in India. The chronogrammatic system of notation which was occasionally found in the works of the Hindu 7th-8th century astronomers was found used in the epigraphic records CE India and south-east Asia. But from the 11 century onwards the system was popularly used in dating the inscriptions. 11th -14th century The Katapayadi system of numeration with the use of CE consonants was prevalent in south India. 5.3 Glossary Staring Related Term Definition Character Term B Brahmi An ancient Indian script C Chronogram Words of Sanskrit language indicating certain numbers It is a place value system that uses one to nine figures D Decimal system and a zero. K Katapayadi Expressing numbers with particular letters An ancient Indian script used in north west part of Kharosthi early India It is a non place value system where numbers are Numerical N expressed by twenty symbols. In this system zero is system absent. An ancient language belonging to the Indo – European P Prakrit family of languages 5.4 Web links Web links https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmi_numerals http://mathomathis.blogspot.in/2010/10/evolution-of-numerals-brahmi-numerals.html http://www-groups.dcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/history/HistTopics/Indian_numerals.html https://mysteriesexplored.wordpress.com/2011/08/23/india-%E2%80%93-world-guru-of- mathematics-part-%E2%80%93-4/ 5.5 Bibliography Bibliography Acharya, S.K. , Numerals in Orissan Inscriptions, Simla, 2002. Buhler, G., Indian Palaeography, reprint, Calcutta, 1959. Burnell, A.C., Elements of South Indian Inscriptions, reprint, Delhi, 1968. Gokhale, S., Indian Numerals, Poona, 1966. Ojha, G.H., Bharatiya Prachina Lipimala (Hindi), reprint, New Delhi, 1971. Ramesh, K.V., Indian Epigraphy, vol. I, Delhi, 1984. Sircar, D.C., Indian Epigraphy, New Delhi, 1965. Salomon, R., Indian Epigraphy, New Delhi, 1998. .