Question

Which Indian astronomer told in the 5th century that “the Earth is not stationary”?
A.Varahamihira
B.Aryabhatta
C.Bhaskaracharya
D.None of these

Answer 1

Hint: Indian astronomy has a long history that dates back to the period of the Indus Valley Civilisation. It was also mentioned as Vedanga Jyotisha, one of the auxiliary disciplines in Vedanga which is considered to be connected to the study of the Vedas. Cosmological concepts have been discussed in the Vedas.

Complete answer: Option A: is incorrect. Varahamihira was an astronomer and mathematician from Ujjain and is believed to be one of the Navaratnas in the court of Yashodharman Vikramaditya of Malwa in 505 CE. Two of his major works include— Pancha-Siddhantika and Brihat Samhita. The former is a compilation or treatise on mathematical astronomy and the later is a book that covers various topics from divination, astronomy, planetary movements, eclipses, rainfall, clouds, architecture, growth of crops, etc.
Option B: is correct. Aryabhatta is one of the earliest and most celebrated astronomers and mathematicians of India. He was born in 476 CE in Pataliputra. In his work, Aryabhatiya, he covers the table of sines; the approximate duration of planetary revolutions; mensuration and arithmetic progression; simple, quadratic, simultaneous and indeterminate equations; approximation for π; units of time including a seven-day week; geometric features of celestial spheres; the shape of the earth; and cause of day and night. Aryabhatta correctly mentioned that the earth rotates about its axis daily and the geocentric model of the solar system.
Option C: is incorrect. Bhaskaracharya was an Indian mathematician born in Bijapur, Karnataka in
1114 AD who went on to become a leader of a cosmic observatory in Ujjain. His discovery of the principles of differential calculus and its application to astronomical problems and computations predates Newton and Leibniz.
Option D: is incorrect.

Hence, The correct answer is Option B.

Note: Indian astronomy was influenced by the Greek astronomy following the conquests of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BCE. Several texts and treatises on astronomy were written after this period including Yavanajataka, Romaka Siddhanta, Surya Siddhanta, etc.