Abraham Seidenberg, a renowned mathematician who taught at Berkeley for 42 years, made significant contributions to the history of mathematics, notably suggesting in his work that the Vedic Shulba Sutras provided the origins for key mathematical concepts, including geometry and algebra that influenced later traditions.
Vedic literature, built upon over millennia, reflects this tradition of knowledge gathering.
Brahmagupta’s Brāhmasphuṭasiddhānta (628 CE) formalised algebraic methods like quadratic equations—work that Al-Khwarizmi likely encountered through Indian scholars at the House of Wisdom. Other texts like the Arthashastra (on statecraft) and Kama Sutra (on relationships), which also acknowledge their predecessors contributions further illustrate this rich evolving canon.
Recognising these contributions doesn’t diminish others’ roles but enriches our understanding of how mathematical knowledge was shared and developed across cultures. Historical accuracy benefits from acknowledging India’s early innovations.
Quote
𝗡𝗶𝗼𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗴 ♛ ✡︎
@NiohBerg
The father of algebra was Persian.
Non-Iranian Muslims took credit for this, as they also did with Persian poetry, architecture, science and philosophy.
They consider none of them to be Iranian achievements, but rather Islamic ones, to erase Iran's contributions to the world.
