Different Types Of History Project Of History Of Science Philosophy And Culture In Indian Civilization Volume Xiv Part 4

Different Types of History: Project of History of Science, Philosophy and Culture in Indian Civilization, Volume XIV Part 4 is part of the prestigious ninety-six volume Project of History of Indian Science, Philosophy and Culture in Indian Civilization being published under the aegis of Professor D.P. Chattopadhyaya. Focussing on the historical writings of or on India and its philosophies, as well as the perceptions of India by others and by ourselves, this volume brings together a wide range of fields, perspectives, methodologies and modes of inquiry to critically engage with the vast and multifaceted discipline that is History. D. P. Chattopadhyaya is a Padma Vibhushan awardee, and is founder-chairman of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research.

Illustrations: Numerous Colour Illustrations Description: The volumes of the Project of History of Science, Philosophy and Culture in Indian Civilization aim to discover the central aspects of India's heritage and present them in an interrelated manner. In spite of their unitary look, these volumes recognize the difference between the areas of material civilization and those of ideational culture. The Project is not being executed by a single group of thinkers, methodologically uniform or ideologically identical in their commitments. Rather, contributions are made by different scholars of diverse ideological persuasions and methodological approaches. The Project is marked by what may be called 'methodological pluralism'. In spite of its primarily historical character, this project, both in its conceptualization and execution, has been shaped by scholars drawn from different disciplines. It is the first time that an endeavour of such unique and comprehensive character has been undertaken to study critically a major world civilization. This Volume endeavours to present the perceptible facets of the tradition of astronomy in India : - the torch-bearers of this tradition and their texts; main characteristics of Indian astronomy; scientific approach to the phenomenon of eclipse; pancanga and its social dimensions including the vrata-s, festivals and other observances; origin of astrological ideas, their seeming links with astronomy and certain contradictions; extensive computations concerning planetary revolutions in a huge cyclic period, mean as well as true positions of planets and associated mathematical aspects. In order to have the narrative undisturbed, the related mathematical astronomy has been given in the Appendices. Computations apart, Indian astronomers were keen observers of the motions of celestial bodies and used several instruments, and this aspect has been dealt with appropriately. The question of transmissions in the early centuries before and after the Christian Era vis-a-vis the originality and endogenous developments of Indian astronomy, has been addressed in an objective manner. Since Islamic astronomy has also fostered its tradition in India for over 500 years, three articles on this have been reproduced in the Appendices. Indian astronomical texts are noted for their mathematical-astronomical scientific terminology which was so standardized that it enabled astronomers (who were separated both in time and space), to articulate and promote this tradition over the centuries, as evidenced by the extensive glossary of technical terms given at the end. It is hoped that this Volume, probably the first of its kind inasmuch as it sheds light on both the scientific and the long tradition of Indian astronomy, will be found useful by scholars and general readers alike.

Illustrations: B/w & Colour Illustrations Description: The volumes of the PROJECT OF HISTORY OF SCIENCE, PHILOSOPHY AND CULTURE IN INDIAN CIVILIZATION aim at discovering the main aspects of India s heritage and present them in an interrelated way. In spite of their unitary look, these volumes recognize the difference between the areas of material civilization and those of ideational culture. The Project is marked by what may be called methodologically pluralism . The core of this volume is woven around seven sub themes. The first is a broad contemporary perspective, chiefly sociological. The next considers the views of ancient Indian texts in Sanskrit, from the Vedas which adore nature but are puzzled by creation, to the myths of the more popular puranas and the forceful reasoning of the Yoga-Vasistha. There follows the view of classical Indic sciences: rationalist ayurveda, inferential linguistics, computational astronomy and so forth. A short interlude (Section 6) attempts comparisons between western and Indic views (realizing of course that neither is monolithic). Modern science (section 7) is increasingly tending to the view that culture is not a unique possession of human civilizations, but also of animals and even insects a view incidentally long held in India. Finally there is a brief survey of development in the twentieth century: the role of new technology in sculptural art.

The First Part Of Volume I, The Dawn Of Indian Civilization Upto 600 Bc, Published Earlier, Traces The Development Of Civilization In India Upto The End Of The Vedic Age. The Second Part Presented Here Begins With The Epics, The Sutras Formulating Systems Of Philosophies, The Sciences And The Hererodox Movements, And Goes On To Trace Upto 300 Ad The Emergence Of A New Civic Order In The Ancient Lands Of Taxila And Pataliputra Among Others. This Efflorescence Is Reflected In The New Traditions Of Art Beginning With The Mauryan Emperor Asoka, In The Enrichment Of Meterial Culture As Evidenced In The Arthasastra, In The Expansion Of Oceanic Trade Eloquently Described In The Periplus Maris Erythraei And In The New Movements Of Universal Salvation Such As Mahayana. Here For The First Time Historians, Philosophers And Scientists Have Joined Hands To Help Create A New Understanding Of The Human Past In The Indic Context.

The First Volume Is A New Adventure In The Historiography Of Indian Civiliztion. It Avoids The Ethnic And West-Centred Bias Which Has Been A Legacy Of Colonial Historiography. It Seeks Strict Scientific Objectivity, Differing From All Hitherto Existing Volumes Of This Kind By Giving Due Attention To Science And Philosophy In The History Of Indian Civilization. The Contributions Are Based On The First-Hand And Critical Study Of The Original Sources By The Best Known Experts. While Meticulously Attending To Chronology And Hard Data, The Volume Also Seeks To Understand Scientific And Philosophical Concepts, Methods And Theories. It Seeks To Present The Symbolic World Of Art And Culture As Grounded In Moral Vision As Well As Social Reality. The Work Is Designed To Be Of Use To Scholars And Specially To Students And General Readers. The Volume Is Divided Into Six Sections: Historiography; Technology And Social Evolution; Proto-History; The Vedas, Vedic Society And Ideas; And Foundations And Beginnings Of Systematic Science.