Astronomical Inscriptions in India

Lagadha's Vedanga Jyotisha, dating back to around 1400 BCE, is the oldest known astronomical text in the world. It contains information about the movements of celestial bodies and the calculation of time.

Sanskrit is the primary language used in most astronomical inscriptions in India. It was the language of ancient Indian scholars and astronomers and was widely used for scientific and religious texts.

The Surya Siddhanta, composed around the 4th century CE, provides a detailed description of the precession of the equinoxes, a phenomenon where the position of the equinoxes gradually shifts over time.

The Yavanajataka, translated from Greek texts, contains information about the construction of sundials and other astronomical instruments.

The Aryabhatiya, written by Aryabhata in the 5th century CE, is a seminal astronomical text that presents his revolutionary ideas about the Earth's rotation and the heliocentric model of the solar system.

The Brihat Jataka, written by Varahamihira in the 6th century CE, is a comprehensive text on Indian astrology that discusses the use of the zodiac and planetary positions in predicting events.

The Yantra Rajavarti, written by King Bhojaraja in the 11th century CE, contains detailed instructions for constructing various astronomical instruments, including astrolabes.

The Vedanga Jyotisha, one of the six Vedangas, provides information about the nakshatras (lunar mansions) and their use in determining auspicious times for various activities.

The Surya Siddhanta provides detailed explanations of planetary motions, including the calculation of their positions and the occurrence of eclipses.

The Yantra Rajavarti also provides instructions for constructing armillary spheres, which were used to demonstrate the relative positions of celestial bodies.

The Brahmasphuta Siddhanta, written by Brahmagupta in the 7th century CE, is a significant astronomical text that presents his theories on planetary motion and astronomical calculations.

The Surya Siddhanta also provides information about the construction of calendars and the calculation of time based on astronomical observations.

The Surya Siddhanta presents a spherical Earth model and provides estimates for its circumference and diameter.

The Yantra Rajavarti also provides instructions for constructing quadrants, which were used to measure the altitude of celestial bodies.

The Sisyadhivriddhida Tantra, written by Lalla in the 8th century CE, is a significant astronomical text that presents his theories on planetary motion and astronomical calculations.