Sankara Varman
Sankara Varman (1774–1839) was an astronomer-mathematician belonging to the Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics. He is best known as the author of Sadratnamala, a treatise on astronomy and mathematics, composed in 1819. Sankara Varman is considered as the last notable figure in the long line of illustrious astronomers and mathematicians in the Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics beginning with Madhava of Sangamagrama. Sadratnamala was composed in the traditional style followed by members of the Kerala school at a time when India had been introduced to the western style of mathematics and of writing books in mathematics. One of Varman's contribution to mathematics was his computation of the value of the mathematical constant π correct to 17 decimal places.
Biographical sketch
Varman was born as a younger prince in the principality of Katattanad, in
Varman completed the composition of Sadratnamala in 1819. He also wrote a Malayalam commentary on Sadratnamala. Two versions of the text of Sadratnamala and their commentaries have been discovered. A critical examination of the manuscripts suggests that both are written by Varman, one being a revision of the other.[1]
During the invasion of
Varman was an astute
Whish's acquaintance
Varman was a close acquaintance of
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Sarma, K.V. (2001). "Sadratnamala of Sankara Varman" (PDF). Indian Journal of History of Science. 36 (3–4 (Supplement)). Indian National Academy of Science, New Delhi: 1–58. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
- JSTOR 25581775