Evolution Of Mathematics In India

India has had a long and venerable tradition in mathematics. Its most basic and influential contribution was the place-value decimal number system, but there is much more to the story of Indian mathematics than that. India is often overlooked in its contribution, as Indian brilliance is showered with virtues of colonialism, which often undermine its value as a whole. However, mathematics in India has been stemming from prehistoric times to modern democracy, and its changing landscape is fascinating, yet perplexing.

Although the 19th century (under the British Raj) saw numerous improvements in how mathematics was studied in India, the situation was dire. In 1857, the Britishers established universities in Calcutta, Madras and Bombay. However, these universities were not meant to produce research scientists and mathematicians; they aimed to train the British people assigned to manage and supervise these universities were among the Indians to serve various government agencies under British rule, focusing on white collared jobs in finance. People were discouraged to pursue research and were instead told to follow interests in fields that would satisfy the needs of the empire. These universities were patterned on the model of the University of London. However, due to the poor pay, it could not attract the best minds. Further, those unsuccessful products of the British system. These mathematicians from Britain had no research of their own and encouraged none in others, yet they were placed as the heads of the education system in India. The Indian mentality did not help the case, where such occupations were looked down upon and there was a prevailing sense of passiveness in Indian students and even elite scholars, further disincentivizing any progress.

Thankfully, things took a turn when Sir Asutosh Mookerjee was appointed the chief administrative officer of Calcutta university. Although a lawyer by profession, he found the time to publish papers on algebraic curves and differential equations, something remarkably rare in those times. He wanted to encourage research and support and produce the best mathematicians. This goal of his led to the formation of the Calcutta Mathematical Society in 1908. In the 20th century, it was the collective effort of the entire nation that not only helped in pursuing the highest level of mathematics but also taught the next generation to be even better mathematicians than their predecessors. To help widen the reach of mathematics to the general public and to incentivize the adoption of mathematics as a subject in university, two organisations were set up in quick succession: the Indian Mathematical Society, and the Calcutta Mathematical Society.

The Indian Mathematical Society

The Indian Mathematical Society, founded on 4 April 1907 by V Ramaswami Aiyar and twenty other Foundation Members, started its activities under the name of Analytical club before the official founding and was eventually changed to The Indian mathematical Society The Society aimed at promoting the 'cause of mathematics' at all levels. Its central aim was to motivate and encourage researchers, educationists, students and all people who are intrigued by mathematics, develop the subject on the grassroots levels. Initially, the Society directed its focus towards collecting reliable journals and forming a library for mathematics, and the members were given the progress report frequently and more original articles started being published, thus the managing department agreed to publish a regular journal. The journal helped develop the field, acting as a reliable catalyst for its development.

The Calcutta Mathematical Society

Calcutta Mathematical Society was founded on 6 September 1908 only because of the guidance and assistance of Sir Asutosh Mookerjee who had previously been the Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University. The founders took inspiration from the organization and operations of the London Mathematical Society and pursued activities that can be divided into three parts. Firstly, the society organised The Memorial Lectures annually to honour the great researchers and mathematicians who were also the companions and financiers of the organization. Secondly, Special Lectures were only given on demand by renowned and intellectual researchers and scientists who visited Kolkata often to increase exposure to the complex world of mathematics. The Seminars and Symposiums were only held once a year with the primary focus on the learning and development of Pedagogic and Technical topics as well as topics that were in the interest of everyone.

The Tata institute of fundamental research

Another institute that was also publicly considered as a research university was The Tata institute of fundamental research located in Mumbai, India. The institute had dedicated its resources towards basic research in mathematics and the sciences. In 1944, Homi J. Bhabha, who was renowned for his work in the development and advancement of the Indian atomic energy programme, requested Sir Dorabji Tata Trust for financial assistance to set up a scientific research institute. Without the support from J.R.D. Tata who was the chairman of the Tata Group, TIFR would not have been able to be set up by 1 June 1945 and would never have been as advanced as it is today. Homi Bhabha was then appointed as its first director. In 1949, after Indian Independence, the institute was assigned as the primary centre for all large-scale projects and studies in nuclear research. This institute also provided India with the first digital computer in 1957. Research at TIFR was divided into three main groups which are mathematical sciences, natural sciences, technology and computer science.

In 1947, after independence from the British empire, India finally pursued efforts to make science and mathematics the national goals, building upon the chequered foundations. The first prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, had a radical vision of making Indian science reach new heights and greatness never seen before, furthering the initiative and providing a basis for post-independence growth. He was willing to take firm steps to make this vision come true and his work led to the growth of new institutes and provided them with technology to carry out advanced research and studies.

Indeed, it is because of such efforts that Indian institutes can now conduct strong mathematical research. As this develops further in the coming years, we can certainly hope for many more breakthroughs - ones that will make India proud.