The mathematics of India. Concepts, methods, connections (Q1654577)

The history of Indian mathematics was studied before, e.g., by \textit{G. R. Kaye} [Indian mathematics. Calcutta \& Simla: Thacker, Spink and Co. (1915; JFM 45.0062.01)], \textit{L. V. Gurjar} [Ancient Indian mathematics and Vedha. Poona: S.G. Vidwans (the Aryabbushan Press) (1947; Zbl 1421.01005)], \textit{M. Levey} and \textit{M. Petruck} [Kūshyār ibn Labbān. Principles of Hindu reckoning. Madison, WI: Univ. of Wisconsin Press (1965)], \textit{T. A. Sarasvati Amma} [Geometry in ancient and medieval India. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass (1979; Zbl 0578.01007)], \textit{A. K. Bag} [Mathematics in ancient and medieval India. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia (1979; Zbl 1405.01012)], \textit{B. Datta} and \textit{A. N. Singh} [History of Hindu mathematics. A source book. I. Numerical notation and arithmetic. Lahore: Motilal Banarsi Das (1935; Zbl 0012.38703); II. Algebra (1938; Zbl 0019.24304)], \textit{T. K. Puttaswamy} [Mathematical achievements of pre-modern Indian mathematicians. Amsterdam: Elsevier (2012; Zbl 1263.01003)] or by \textit{K. Plofker} [Mathematics in India. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press (2009; Zbl 1175.01004)]; the last book has an excellent bibliography, it is easier to digest than the book under review, and also covers astronomy, the source for a large part of ancient Indian mathematics, and thus is recommended as a first introduction. In addition, there are \textit{G. G. Joseph}'s books [A passage to infinity. Medieval Indian mathematics from Kerala and its impact. Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications (2009; Zbl 1292.01004); Kerala mathematics. History and its possible transmission to Europe. Delhi: B. R. Publ. (2009); Indian mathematics. Engaging with the world from ancient to modern times. Hackensack, NJ: World Scientific (2016; Zbl 1433.01001)], in which most historians of mathematics are accused of eurocentrism and nationalism. The author of the book under review does not play this blame game. He distinguishes three periods in Indian mathematics: the Vedic period before 500 BC, the classical period associated with the names of Aryabhata and Brahmagupta, and the period culminating about 1600 AD. The chapters presenting the development of the first period cover historical and linguistic background, the Vedic geometry presented in the \textit{Sulbsutras}, decimal numbers and arithmetic. The next period covers the contributions of Aryabhata and Brahmagupta, in particular linear and quadratic Diophantine equations and the first sine tables; the author also dates the origin of the mathematics contained on the Bakhshali manuscript to these times. The third part of the book presents the beginnings of calculus in Nila mathematics, in particular addition theorems of trigonometric functions and the arctangent series. This book is an outstanding contribution to the history of mathematics and that of Indian mathematics in particular. I strongly recommend it to everyone interested in the achievements of ancient and classical Indian mathematicians.