On sanskrit commentaries dealing with mathematics (Fifth–twelfth century)

Abstract

A renewed interest for contextualization in indological studies,1 is but slowly affecting publications on Indian mathematics. The isolation of history of mathematics within the general field of indology derives partly from a lively historiographical trend of technical and patriotic history of mathematics which remains oblivious to social science. Preservation plays a role as well: Precious little information exists on the context in which mathematics and astronomy were practiced in India in the past.2 To overcome this problem some historians of science have turned to periods (XVIth–XIXth century) and places where institutions, libraries and many texts help us contextualize their mathematical and astronomical ideas.3.