Abstract
The contribution in the field of mathematics is unparalleled. The concept of zero and the place value system is alone sufficed to place India in a high pedestal. Historians were generally under the impression that Indian supremacy in Mathematics came to an end with Bhaskaracharya (1114–1185) who is also known as Bhaskara II.Recent researches and publications of books like ‘Crest of the peacock’ written by George Gheverghese Joseph, has brought out the marvelous achievements of Southern India, especially Kerala region after the period of Bhaskaracharya which produced many results surpassing the Europeans in its indigenous style till the advent of Western Education system in early 19th Cent. This medieval contribution includes mathematical analysis and first steps in Calculus and many outstanding discoveries in astronomy. These contributions in Mathematics as well as in Astronomy are now grouped and studied under the title “Kerala School”. Accordingly, Sangamagrama Madhava (14th Cent.), doyen of Kerala School, is recognized as the ‘Father of infinitesimal Analysis’.In this paper the attempt is made to analyse the influence of Kerala School in the development of traditional building science and architecture. This branch of knowledge is generally categorized under the term ‘Vāstuśāstra’.`
Highlights
The South India, witnessed an unprecedented advancement in Mathematics during 1300-1700 and further sustained its glory up to 1850. This part of peninsular India tucked between the mountain ranges and Arabian Sea, in the South-West tip, was politically undisturbed during this period unlike Northern India, which was facing continuous threats and attacks from outside
With regard to Mathematics and Astronomy, remarkable contributions were made by Mādhava (c. 1340 – c. 1425), Vaṭeśśeri Parameśvara (c. 1380–1460), Dāmodara (c.1410-c.1500), Kelallūr Nīlakaṇṭha
Traditional Kerala Architecture is unique in many aspects when it is compared to the architecture styles in the rest of Indian sub-continent; so is the Vāstu literature
Summary
The South India, witnessed an unprecedented advancement in Mathematics during 1300-1700 and further sustained its glory up to 1850. The rulers of this part of the country were immensely rich through spice trade and were magnanimous and keen in offering boundless patronage for intellectual pursuits During this medieval period, Arts, Music, Drama,Literature and Sciences like Mathematics, Astronomy, Vāstuvidyā (Architecture & Building Technology) and Āyurveda (indigenous medicine) flourished with no comparison to other parts of the country. This should have had definite impact on the epistemological and philosophical approach to the building science as well. New books were written only when new ideas/approaches were to be presented, otherwise scholars ventured to write only interpretations on well-known texts, called ‘vyākhyāna’ to exhibit their command over the subject Both MC and SR refer to TS as the prime text, which indicates that TS had introduced new concepts that were not seen in earlier texts
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