South Asian Heritage Month: South Asia’s Contribution to Mathematics and Science
Explore how several key ideas underpinning modern mathematics and science first emerged in South Asia during this one-off lecture. These ideas often developed within philosophical, religious, and practical settings, and were later rediscovered or formalized independently in the West, sometimes centuries afterwards.
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We will focus on four transformative concepts; zero, infinity, pi and astronomy and assess how knowledge can arise in different cultures at different times, and how progress in science and mathematics is rarely a straight line.
What will we cover?
Zero and the Decimal System: How zero was developed in South Asia as a number in its own right, forming the basis of modern calculation and mathematics.
Ideas of Infinity: How Jain thinkers explored infinity raising deep questions about universe and scale.
pi and Early Mathematical Analysis: How South Asian mathematicians developed accurate ways to measure circles and motion, linking mathematics directly to physical reality
Astronomy and Mathematics: How observing the skies led to advances in mathematics, including calendars, trigonometry, and predicting celestial events.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Evaluate how these ideas emerged in South Asia within specific cultural and intellectual contexts.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for beginners. No prior knowledge of mathematics or science is required. Some high-level ideas from mathematics will be introduced conceptually, without technical detail. The course forms part of our South Asia Month.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Presentations and group exercises.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No other costs. Please bring a pen and paper if you wish to take notes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please see our History of Science our South Asian Heritage Month areas for further courses of interest.
Ketan teaches courses in Philosophy and History at City Lit, covering topics including Indian history and philosophy, the history of mathematics and engineering, and the Industrial Revolution. He also delivers short courses in Generative AI. Ketan is of Indian heritage with a deep passion for history and culture. Having studied engineering before moving into a career in business change and transformation. He brings a rare blend of technical and humanistic perspective to his teaching. Over the past 25 years he has visited many places of historical and spiritual significance across the Indian subcontinent and Europe.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/south-asian-heritage-month-south-asia-s-contribution-to-mathematics-and-science3017032South Asian Heritage Month: South Asia’s Contribution to Mathematics and Sciencehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/history-epidemics-HHS06-1024.jpg1919GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The history of science/Courses/Online courses2285117711781347217311228511771178<p>Explore how several key ideas underpinning modern mathematics and science first emerged in South Asia during this one-off lecture. These ideas often developed within philosophical, religious, and practical settings, and were later rediscovered or formalized independently in the West, sometimes centuries afterwards.</p>003017002South Asian Heritage Month: South Asia’s Contribution to Mathematics and Science1919https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/history-epidemics-HHS06-1024.jpgInStockEveningWedOnlineAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-07-01T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJul 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHHS161919South Asian Heritage Month: South Asia’s Contribution to Mathematics and Science191219Ketan Variasouth-asian-heritage-month-south-asia-s-contribution-to-mathematics-and-science/hhs16-2526<p>Explore how several key ideas underpinning modern mathematics and science first emerged in South Asia during this one-off lecture. These ideas often developed within philosophical, religious, and practical settings, and were later rediscovered or formalized independently in the West, sometimes centuries afterwards.</p>0000-Available|2026-07-01 00:00:00<p>We will focus on four transformative concepts; zero, infinity, pi and astronomy and assess how knowledge can arise in different cultures at different times, and how progress in science and mathematics is rarely a straight line.</p><p>Explore how several key ideas underpinning modern mathematics and science first emerged in South Asia during this one-off lecture. These ideas often developed within philosophical, religious, and practical settings, and were later rediscovered or formalized independently in the West, sometimes centuries afterwards.</p><ul><li>Zero and the Decimal System: How zero was developed in South Asia as a number in its own right, forming the basis of modern calculation and mathematics.</li><li>Ideas of Infinity: How Jain thinkers explored infinity raising deep questions about universe and scale.</li><li>pi and Early Mathematical Analysis: How South Asian mathematicians developed accurate ways to measure circles and motion, linking mathematics directly to physical reality</li><li>Astronomy and Mathematics: How observing the skies led to advances in mathematics, including calendars, trigonometry, and predicting celestial events.</li></ul><ul><li>Evaluate how these ideas emerged in South Asia within specific cultural and intellectual contexts.</li></ul><p></p><p>This course is suitable for beginners. No prior knowledge of mathematics or science is required. Some high-level ideas from mathematics will be introduced conceptually, without technical detail. The course forms part of our South Asia Month.</p><p>Presentations and group exercises.</p><p>No other costs. Please bring a pen and paper if you wish to take notes.</p><p>Please see our History of Science our South Asian Heritage Month areas for further courses of interest.</p><p>You may also be interested in:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/science-in-the-islamic-golden-age" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Science in the Islamic Golden Age</a></li><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/what-the-islamic-golden-age-did-for-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">What the Islamic Golden Age did for us</a></li></ul>HistoryThe history of sciencevirtual191912HHS16NONEWed01/07/2619:00 - 20:3019:0020:301 session1One-off onlyWeekdayOnlineOnlineKetan VariaBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-07-01T00:00:00+00:00EveningJul 2026Culture, history & humanities1919South Asian Heritage Month: South Asia’s Contribution to Mathematics and Sciencesouth-asian-heritage-month-south-asia-s-contribution-to-mathematics-and-science/hhs16-2526<p>Explore how several key ideas underpinning modern mathematics and science first emerged in South Asia during this one-off lecture. These ideas often developed within philosophical, religious, and practical settings, and were later rediscovered or formalized independently in the West, sometimes centuries afterwards.</p>0000-Available|2026-07-01 00:00:00<p>We will focus on four transformative concepts; zero, infinity, pi and astronomy and assess how knowledge can arise in different cultures at different times, and how progress in science and mathematics is rarely a straight line.</p><p>Explore how several key ideas underpinning modern mathematics and science first emerged in South Asia during this one-off lecture. These ideas often developed within philosophical, religious, and practical settings, and were later rediscovered or formalized independently in the West, sometimes centuries afterwards.</p><ul><li>Zero and the Decimal System: How zero was developed in South Asia as a number in its own right, forming the basis of modern calculation and mathematics.</li><li>Ideas of Infinity: How Jain thinkers explored infinity raising deep questions about universe and scale.</li><li>pi and Early Mathematical Analysis: How South Asian mathematicians developed accurate ways to measure circles and motion, linking mathematics directly to physical reality</li><li>Astronomy and Mathematics: How observing the skies led to advances in mathematics, including calendars, trigonometry, and predicting celestial events.</li></ul><ul><li>Evaluate how these ideas emerged in South Asia within specific cultural and intellectual contexts.</li></ul><p></p><p>This course is suitable for beginners. No prior knowledge of mathematics or science is required. Some high-level ideas from mathematics will be introduced conceptually, without technical detail. The course forms part of our South Asia Month.</p><p>Presentations and group exercises.</p><p>No other costs. Please bring a pen and paper if you wish to take notes.</p><p>Please see our History of Science our South Asian Heritage Month areas for further courses of interest.</p><p>You may also be interested in:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/science-in-the-islamic-golden-age" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Science in the Islamic Golden Age</a></li><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/what-the-islamic-golden-age-did-for-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">What the Islamic Golden Age did for us</a></li></ul>HistoryThe history of scienceconfigurable
134721178The history of sciencehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/the-history-of-science1/2/285/1177/1178/134721/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The history of science
