Aryabhata Biography, Education, Age, Wife, Family, & More

Aryabhata, a prominent mathematician-astronomer of the classical era in Indian mathematics and astronomy, stands as one of India’s most distinguished mathematicians, being among the earliest. This led to confusion, as there were two distinct Aryabhatas, a discrepancy resolved only in 1926 by B. Datta, demonstrating that al-Biruni’s two Aryabhatas referred to the same individual. India has, since the classical period, produced a succession of visionary mathematicians known for their forward-looking perspectives. Aryabhatta made substantial contributions to science and mathematics, presenting theories on Earth’s axial rotation, the approximation of pi (π), the place value system of zero, trigonometry, and more. His published works, significantly advanced for their time, serve as foundational elements for modern mathematics and astronomy. In this article, you’ll find a comprehensive Aryabhata biography.

Aryabhata Biography

Aryabhata, a celebrated mathematician-astronomer, predated Copernicus in making significant discoveries. Born in 476 CE in what is now Bihar, India, Aryabhata contributed pioneering insights such as the place value system, the value of pi, algebraic identities, and trigonometric functions. His findings, documented in verse form, encompassed diverse subjects including astronomy, spherical trigonometry, arithmetic, algebra, and plane trigonometry. Aryabhata demonstrated awareness of zero and adeptly handled large numbers up to 10^18. His profound contributions, articulated in works dating back many decades, laid the groundwork for modern astronomy and mathematics. Aryabhata’s explicit acknowledgment of the relativity of motion also qualifies him as a significant early physicist. The roots of contemporary astrophysics and mathematics can be traced to his pioneering research and writings, which were remarkably ahead of their time upon initial publication.

Aryabhata Picture

Family

Aryabhata’s parents were Sri Bandu Bapu Athawale and Srimati Honsabai Banda Athawale, while Escher had four brothers and no sisters. The brothers were named Arnold, Johan, Berend, and Edmond.

Age

Aryabhata notes in the Aryabhatiya that he was 23 years old 3,600 years into the Kali Yuga. However, this does not imply that the text was composed at that specific time. The mentioned year corresponds to 499 CE, suggesting that he was born in 476 CE.

Death of Aryabhata

Aryabhata passed away at the age of 74, concluding a long and fruitful career as a mathematician, astronomer, and scientist. The exact details of when and where he died remain unknown. It is believed that he spent a significant portion of his time in Kusumapura, Pataliputra.

Education

He is thought to have finished his education in Kusumapura. Aryabhata served as the leader of a Kusumapura institution (kulapa) and held a similar position at Nalanda University in Bihar. This role was attributed to the university’s proximity to Patliputra, where an astronomical observatory was situated.

Wife and Daughter

Her spouse is named Shakuntala Devi. Their daughter, Anupama Banerji, is wedded to Ajay Abhaya Kumar. The couple resides in London and has two daughters.

Legacy

Aryabhata’s contributions held significant sway in the Indian astronomical tradition and had a broad impact on neighboring cultures through various translations. Notably, during the Islamic Golden Age around 820 CE, the Arabic translation of his work proved highly influential. Figures such as Al-Khwarizmi and, in the 10th century, Al-Biruni referenced Aryabhata’s writings. His definitions of sine (jya), cosine (kojya), versine (utkrama-jya), and inverse sine (otkram jya) played a pivotal role in the emergence of trigonometry.

In recognition of his contributions, the Aryabhata Knowledge University (AKU) in Patna was established by the Government of Bihar. This institution focuses on the development and management of educational infrastructure related to technical, medical, management, and allied professional education.

Aryabhata’s pioneering efforts extended to specifying sine and versine (1 − cos x) tables, meticulously calculated in 3.75° intervals from 0° to 90° with an accuracy of four decimal places. India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, was named in his honor. It’s worth noting that the Arabic translations, referred to as jiba and kojiba, underwent a misunderstanding by Gerard of Cremona while translating an Arabic geometry text into Latin.

In the realm of contemporary research, the Aryabhata Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIOS) near Nainital, India, engages in studies spanning astronomy, astrophysics, and atmospheric sciences.

Major Works

Aryabhata’s seminal work, the Aryabhatiya, stands as a comprehensive compilation of mathematics and astronomy. Widely referenced in Indian mathematical literature, this work has endured through the ages and remains relevant today. Aryabhata drew extensively from his education at Nalanda, and his major contributions were built upon the foundations laid by Greek, Mesopotamian, and Nalanda scholars. The Aryabhatiya encompasses a broad spectrum, delving into arithmetic, algebra, and trigonometry.

Moreover, Aryabhata’s lost work, the Arya-siddhanta, focused on astronomical computations. Though the original text is no longer extant, its knowledge has been preserved through the writings of Aryabhata’s contemporary, Varahamihira, and subsequent mathematicians and commentators, including Brahmagupta and Bhaskara I.

Net Worth

The Indian satellite ‘Aryabhata’ was launched 40 years ago using the Soyuz launch vehicle. Its current valuation stands at $23.6 billion.

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