Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Who among the following was the first to explain that the rotation of the earth on its own axis accounts for the daily rising and setting of the sun?
Solution & Analysis
Answer: A
Concept
Ancient Indian astronomy reached a peak of scientific rationalism during the Gupta era, producing theories that predated similar European findings by over a millennium.Explanation
Aryabhatta was the first to state that the Earth is spherical and rotates on its own axis. He detailed this in his 5th-century treatise, the *Aryabhatiya*.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: He explained that the apparent movement of the stars and sun is due to the Earth's rotation, much like trees seem to move for someone in a boat.
Logic 2: He also calculated the Earth's circumference and correctly identified the causes of lunar and solar eclipses as shadows.
Logic 3: While Brahmagupta (C) and Varahamihira (D) were great astronomers, they followed Aryabhatta's pioneering work in these specific rotational concepts.