Aryabhata – The Great Indian Mathematician and Astronomer

Aryabhata was a mathematician and astronomer of ancient India, associated with Kusumapura, usually identified with Pataliputra (Patna).

Quick facts

• Born: 476 CE (traditionally associated with the Pataliputra region).
• Famous work: Aryabhatiya, written around 499 CE.

Contributions

• Gave an approximate value of pi as 3.1416.
• Explained that the earth rotates on its axis, which causes day and night.
• Gave the correct explanation of solar and lunar eclipses.
• Worked on algebra, trigonometry and the place-value system.

Recognition

India's first satellite, launched in 1975, was named Aryabhata in his honour. He is a common name in science and history questions about Bihar.