Blog Response #3: The Crest of the Peacock

 For much of my schooling, I was made to believe that most of math history originated from Europe and was discovered by European mathematicians. This fallacy was clear in my life mainly because I was never challenged to dig deeper into math history until starting the math history for teachers’ course and reading the first chapter from Joseph’s book (1991, pp. 1-22). So, imagine my shock when I discovered the more accurate origins of math and the fact that “the contributions of the colonized peoples were ignored or devalued as part of the rationale for subjugation and dominance” (Joseph, 1991, pg. 4). 

I am also surprised and impressed at how knowledge was spread many years ago. The methods were mentioned in this chapter in two instances. First in Baghdad where mathematicians of the time from diverse cultures were invited to discuss theories which formulated into operations for solving equations (Joseph, 1991, pp. 10-11). Then how India was a central geographic location for many nations and cultures that played “an important role in the transmission and diffusion of ideas” (Joseph, 1991, pg. 17). Figures 1.1 to 1.4 also show the spread of ideas throughout history (Joseph, 1991, pp. 1-22). This fact about the history of math surprises me because it is fascinating to see how cultures in the past were able to collaborate, record and improve knowledge in math in times without the transport and internet of today. 

Finally, I was incredibly surprised by the contribution India has to offer in math. This ranges from “the spread of Indian numerals and their associated algorithms, first to the Arabs and later to Europe,” “the spread of Indian trigonometry” and the “solutions of equations in general” (Joseph, 1991, pp. 18-19). I am surprised by this because as a person of Indian origin, I did not know this history, but because of my Indian origin this information makes me proud. 

References 

Joseph, G.G. (1991). The History of Mathematics: Alternative Perspectives. The Crest of the Peacock: The Non-European Roots of Mathematics (Third Edition, pp. 1-22). Princeton University Press. 

Comments

  1. Amanda FritzlanSeptember 21, 2022 at 10:44 AM

    Appu, I agree that it is fascinating to delve into the ways in which mathematical (and other) knowledge was carried between ancient cultures in different geographical locations. This occurred across thousands without internet, or even printing presses. I hope that you continue to explore, and be proud of, India's largely under-appreciated contributions to mathematics. Great blog post!

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