History of science and technology in ancient India III : astronomy, science and society / by Debiprasad Chattopadhyaya

Includes appendix, bibliography and index.

ASTRONOMY: Introduction -- THE FIRST PHASE: SCHOOL OF VEDANGA JYOTISA : Astronomical studies in the vedic period -- Vedanga Jyotisa -- Jaina Jyotisa -- THE SECOND PHASE: GREEK ASTRONOMY IN INDIA: Introduction -- The Greek calendar -- Sakas and Kusanas come to India -- Studies in the Kharosthi inscriptions -- Conclusion -- THE THIRD PHASE: SIDDHANTIC ASTRONOMY: Introduction -- Planetary motions -- The zodiacal signs -- The Kali Yuga -- Yogatara -- Astronomy in the Gupta period -- THE FOURTH PHASE: SOME OF ITS FOUNDERS: Some studies on Aryabhata - Aryabhatiya - Half-chord system - Principle of axial rotation of the earth - Symbolic representation of big numbers -- Some studies on Varahamihira -- Some studies on Brahmagupta -- ASTRONOMY IN MEDIEVAL INDIA: Introduction -- Suryasiddhanta -- Motion of the Moon -- Yogataras in the Suryasiddhanta -- Precessional motion of equinoxes -- Date of the Suryasiddhanta -- Authority of the Suryasiddhanta -- Bhaskaracharya -- SCIENCE AND SOCIETY: SCIENCE IN PERIL: Difficulties confronting an Indian scientist investigating the scientific Legacy of ancient India -- A remarkable visiting scientist: Alberuni -- Absurdities superimposed on science -- India today -- The most talented Indian astronomer in Alberuni's view -- Brahmagupta, Aryabhata and Vatesvara -- Socrates, Brahmagupta and Descartes -- Social function of superstition: ancient Greece -- Social function of superstition: ancient India