{"id":279346,"date":"2025-10-05T11:08:13","date_gmt":"2025-10-05T11:08:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/279346\/"},"modified":"2025-10-05T11:08:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-05T11:08:13","slug":"national-contest-to-recreate-indias-traditional-astronomy-tools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/279346\/","title":{"rendered":"National contest to recreate India\u2019s traditional astronomy tools"},"content":{"rendered":"

New Delhi:<\/strong> Aiming to revive the traditional culture of \u2018observational astronomy\u2019, the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) division of the Union Ministry of Education has invited school students, undergraduates, for-profit companies, and trusts to recreate indigenous and traditional astronomical instruments\u2014some of which were mentioned in classical Sanskrit texts.<\/p>\n

The division, which operates as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education, announced the competition Friday, highlighting India\u2019s rich and illustrious tradition in astronomy.<\/p>\n

The IKS noted that pioneers like V\u1e5bddha Garga, \u0100ryabha\u1e6da, M\u0101dhavach\u0101rya, N\u012blakan\u1e6dha Somay\u0101ji and Pathani Samanta have made significant contributions to \u2018observational astronomy\u2019 and mathematics.\u00a0\u201cThese achievements were supported by a range of ingenious and innovative instruments designed to aid visual astronomy. The challenge is to recreate the physical forms of these traditional instruments,\u201d the division stated in its official notification.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tShow Full Article<\/p>\n

Explaining the initiative\u2019s significance, Ganti S. Murthy, National Coordinator of the Indian Knowledge Systems division, said the aim is to revive India\u2019s rich legacy of observational astronomy.<\/p>\n

\u201cIndia has a very great astronomical tradition. Again, when I say astronomy, I\u2019m distinguishing it from astrology. That is not what it is\u2026 That is what our ancestors were doing and we somehow lost it with all of these things. We need to recreate it. That\u2019s why we are trying to push this,\u201d he told ThePrint.<\/p>\n

\u201cObservational astronomy means you can see the stars, look at the planets and other celestial bodies, and try to predict where they will be using observations\u2026 How many of us know where the Sun or the Moon is today? Or a planet? We don\u2019t even observe the skies anymore. The idea is to rekindle that long-term observation ability among students,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Ancient shadows to majestic observatories<\/strong><\/p>\n

The instruments listed by the IKS division for recreation are divided into two categories, reflecting different periods and levels of complexity in India\u2019s astronomical tradition.<\/p>\n

The first category includes some of the earliest instruments used in ancient India for basic astronomical observations. These include the Shanku (a gnomon\u2014the part of a sundial that casts a shadow\u2014used to measure the Sun\u2019s altitude), Manayantra, and Dhanuryantra\u2014devices mentioned in classical Sanskrit texts for measuring angles and distances. Various types of sundials\u2014horizontal, vertical, equatorial, polar, and analemmatic\u2014were used to track time based on the Sun\u2019s shadow.<\/p>\n

The second category features more advanced instruments, many of which were part of the 18th-century observatories built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, such as the Jantar Mantar. These include the Samrat Yantra, Jay Prakash Yantra, Ram Yantra, Digamsa Yantra, Daksinottara Bhitti Yantra, Nadi Valaya, and Sasthamsa Yantra\u2014all used for precise astronomical measurements and celestial observations.<\/p>\n

On the continued relevance of these traditional instruments, Murthy said: \u201cThey are as useful today as they were earlier. These are observational astronomical instruments\u2026 You can use (them) today also, that is the whole point. Otherwise, why would we try to recreate something that is not useful today?\u201d<\/p>\n

Participation and evaluation<\/strong><\/p>\n

The competition invites three categories of participants: Category 1 includes teams of 3 to 5 students from classes 6 to 12 within the same school, recreating instruments from the first category of instruments. Category 2 is for teams of 3 to 5 undergraduate students, possibly from multiple institutions, focusing on the second category of instruments. Category 3 welcomes all, including companies and trusts, to recreate instruments from both categories.<\/p>\n

Category 1 encourages use of sustainable materials. Categories 2 and 3 require explanations of the instrument\u2019s workings and underlying mathematics, encouraging passive innovations and extensions to traditional designs. Category 3 also emphasises simplicity, pedagogical utility, durability, and cost-effectiveness.<\/p>\n

Instruments will be judged 25 percent each on presentation clarity, ease of construction, cost and accuracy, and creativity. \u201cOnly entries grounded in traditional observational astronomy with proper references will be considered,\u201d the division said in its notification.<\/p>\n

The details of entry submission will be announced soon. The final competition for the top eight teams will take place during the international conference tentatively scheduled in January next year. The winning entries will win up to Rs 1 lakh.<\/p>\n

Murthy said the selected instruments could be showcased to startups for potential commercial development. \u201cWe will actively promote them to encourage the creation of new indigenous instruments,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

(Edited by Viny Mishra)<\/p>\n

Also read:<\/strong> Jayant Narlikar on a universe with no beginning, why sky is blue & the classic astronomy-astrology mix-up<\/a><\/p>\n

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