UPSC Prelims 2006 Q38: Ancient History – Science & Technology
Match List - I with List - II and select the correct answer using the code given below the
lists:
List - I ( Finding / Invention / Calculation )
A. Time taken by the Earth to orbit the Sun
B. Calculation of the value of ‘pi’
C. Invention of the digit zero
D. The game of snakes and ladders
List - II ( Ancient Indian Scholar )
1. Aryabhatta
2. Bhaskaracharya
3. Budhayana
4. Gyandev
Code:
- (a) A 2 B 4 C 1 D 3
- (b) A 2 B 3 C 1 D 4
- (c) A 1 B 3 C 2 D 4
- (d) A 1 B 4 C 2 D 3
Answer: (c) A 1 B 3 C 2 D 4
Explanation
Ancient Indian scholars and their contributions (as per the published key)
| Finding or invention | Scholar |
|---|---|
| A. Time taken by the Earth to orbit the Sun | Aryabhatta (1) |
| B. Calculation of the value of pi | Budhayana (3) |
| C. Invention of the digit zero | Bhaskaracharya (2) |
| D. The game of snakes and ladders | Gyandev (4) |
The correct code in the published key is A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4. Note that sources differ on who first formalised zero (Aryabhata and Brahmagupta are also cited), so this item follows the accepted key.
Answer: (c) A 1 B 3 C 2 D 4.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. This gives Bhaskaracharya the Earth's orbit time and Gyandev the value of pi, both wrong.
- (b) Incorrect. This assigns the Earth's orbit time to Bhaskaracharya and the digit zero to Aryabhatta, which the key does not accept.
- (c) CORRECT. A-1 (Aryabhatta), B-3 (Budhayana), C-2 (Bhaskaracharya), D-4 (Gyandev) as per the published key.
- (d) Incorrect. This gives Gyandev the value of pi and Budhayana the game of snakes and ladders.
Key point
Per the published key: Aryabhatta (Earth's orbit time), Budhayana (pi), Bhaskaracharya (zero), Gyandev (snakes and ladders).
Remember
Aryabhatta-orbit time, Budhayana-pi, Bhaskaracharya-zero, Gyandev-snakes and ladders.
Common mistakes
- Giving pi to Aryabhatta; Budhayana's Sulba Sutras came earlier.
- Not recalling that Gyandev (Dnyaneshwar) is linked with the game of Moksha Patam.
- Assuming a single scholar invented all mathematical items.
Exam tip
Budhayana = pi (Sulba Sutra); Gyandev = snakes and ladders; Aryabhatta = Earth's rotation and orbit.
Sources
- Bibhutibhushan Datta and Avadhesh Narayan Singh — History of Hindu Mathematics (Asia Publishing House)
- D. M. Bose, S. N. Sen and B. V. Subbarayappa (eds.) — A Concise History of Science in India (Indian National Science Academy)