About The Book : An important mathematician and astronomer in medieval India, Bhascara Acharya (1114-85) wrote treatises on arithmetic, algebra, geometry and astronomy. He is also believed to have been head of the astronomical observatory at Ujjain, which was the leading centre of mathematical sciences in India. Forming part of his Sanskrit magnum opus Siddhanta Shiromani, the present work is his treatise on arithmetic, including coverage of geometry. It was first published in English in 1816 after being translated by the East India Company surgeon John Taylor (d.1821). Used as a textbook in India for centuries, it provides the basic mathematics needed for astronomy. Topics covered include arithmetical terms, plane geometry, solid geometry and indeterminate equations. Of enduring interest in the history of mathematics, this work also contains Bhascara's pictorial proof of Pythagoras' theorem. About The Translator : John Taylor M.D. (d. 6 December 1821, Shiraz) was a Scottish missionary in Gujarat, then a government surgeon in Bombay. He translated Bhaskaracharya's Lilavati into English (Bombay, 1816).He died in 1821 at Shiraz, Persia where he had gone for the benefit of his health. Elected on 4-1-1809. (Proposed by W. Carey and seconded by W. Hunter on 7-12-1808). Dr. John Taylor, MD, Edinburgh 1804, was a Missionary attached to the London Missionary Society, at Madras in 1805-07. He was appointed Acting Assistant Surgeon, Bombay, on 26 March 1807 and the appointment was confirmed by the Court of Directors on 26 March 1809. He was promoted Surgeon on 28 Sept. 1821 and died at Shiraz on 6 December 1821. He translated Bhaskaracharya's "Lilawati: or a treatise on arithmetic and geometry" and published it from Bombay in 1816.; Notes and queries 1858 "Soon afterwards he went to Bombay, and continued there till nearly the time of his death, which took place towards the end of 1821 at Shiraz in Persia, whither he had gone shortly before for the benefit of his health. He was never resident at Bussorah, nor indeed, so far as the writer of this is informed, was he ever employed out of the medical service at Bombay, except, perhaps, as translator or interpreter to the Recorder's Court there."
