20 Most Famous Indian Mathematicians

India has a rich history of mathematics and has gifted the world some of its most brilliant mathematical minds. From ancient times to modern days, Indian mathematicians have made groundbreaking contributions to algebra, geometry, calculus, and more. In this article, we’ll explore the lives and works of 20 famous Indian mathematicians who left a significant mark on the world of mathematics.

1. Aryabhata (476–550 CE)

Aryabhata was one of the first great Indian mathematicians. He introduced the concept of zero and wrote the famous treatise Aryabhatiya, which covered arithmetic, algebra, and trigonometry. He calculated the value of pi and proposed that the Earth rotates on its axis.

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2. Brahmagupta (598–668 CE)

Brahmagupta made significant contributions to number theory and algebra. He was the first to define zero as a number and explained how to use it in calculations. His book Brahmasphutasiddhanta became a foundational text in mathematics.

3. Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887–1920)

A self-taught genius, Ramanujan is celebrated for his work on infinite series, continued fractions, and number theory. He contributed over 3,900 formulas to mathematics and collaborated with British mathematician G.H. Hardy.

4. Bhaskara I (7th Century CE)

Bhaskara I was an early Indian mathematician who expanded on Aryabhata's work. He introduced a more precise approximation for pi and worked on the solution of linear equations.

5. Bhaskara II (1114–1185 CE)

Known as Bhaskaracharya, he wrote the Siddhanta Shiromani, a comprehensive book covering algebra, arithmetic, and geometry. He also worked on concepts of calculus, long before Newton and Leibniz.

6. Mahavira (9th Century CE)

Mahavira was a Jain mathematician who contributed to algebra and geometry. His work Ganitasarasangraha laid the foundation for solving complex equations and introduced methods to deal with irrational numbers.

7. Madhava of Sangamagrama (1340–1425 CE)

Madhava is often called the "Father of Calculus." He was the first to develop infinite series expansions for trigonometric functions and approximations of pi.

8. Narayana Pandit (14th Century CE)

Narayana Pandit contributed to combinatorics and number theory. His book Ganita Kaumudi is known for its insights into permutations and combinations.

9. Shakuntala Devi (1929–2013)

Known as the "Human Computer," Shakuntala Devi was a mathematical prodigy famous for her ability to perform incredibly complex calculations in seconds. She authored books on mathematics and puzzles.

10. P.C. Mahalanobis (1893–1972)

A pioneer in statistics, Mahalanobis developed the Mahalanobis distance, a significant statistical measure. He was instrumental in setting up the Indian Statistical Institute.

11. R.C. Bose (1901–1987)

R.C. Bose made groundbreaking contributions to design theory and coding theory. His work is widely applied in modern computer science.

12. D.R. Kaprekar (1905–1986)

Kaprekar is known for the "Kaprekar Constant" (6174) and his work on recreational mathematics. He developed innovative techniques in number theory.

13. Harish-Chandra (1923–1983)

Harish-Chandra was a mathematical physicist who worked on representation theory and harmonic analysis. His contributions have advanced quantum mechanics.

14. C.R. Rao (1920–2023)

A giant in the field of statistics, C.R. Rao developed influential statistical techniques, including the Rao-Blackwell theorem, and contributed to econometrics and biometrics.

15. Vashishtha Narayan Singh (1942–2019)

Vashishtha Narayan Singh was a mathematical prodigy known for his work in algebra and number theory. His brilliance drew comparisons to Ramanujan.

16. Satyendra Nath Bose (1894–1974)

Famous for Bose-Einstein statistics, Satyendra Nath Bose revolutionized quantum mechanics and particle physics. His collaboration with Albert Einstein remains legendary.

17. Manjul Bhargava (1974–Present)

A modern mathematician, Manjul Bhargava is a Fields Medal recipient for his contributions to number theory. His innovative work has transformed algebra and geometry.

18. Narendra Karmarkar (1957–Present)

Karmarkar is best known for developing the Karmarkar algorithm, a breakthrough in linear programming that is widely used in optimization.

19. Raj Chandra Bose (1901–1987)

Bose worked on combinatorics and founded the branch of mathematics known as design theory. His contributions helped advance the study of finite geometry.

20. Niels Henrik Abel’s Influence in India

While not Indian, Abel's work influenced Indian mathematicians deeply. His equations inspired researchers like Ramanujan to explore number theory further.