Ancient Indian Science
Aryabhatta: First to Explain Earth's Rotation
Aryabhatta was the first to explain that the daily rising and setting of the sun is caused by the Earth's rotation on its own axis. He recorded this scientific observation in his 5th-century work, the Aryabhatiya.
Primary Reference: NCERT Class XII - Themes in Indian History Part 1
Archived:
Updated:
Exam Year
2018
Evidence Source
Link ↗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?
[64th BPSC (Pre) 2018]
Detailed Solution & Historical Context
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.
Authentic Source Evidence
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.
Analytical Breakdown
Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic
"How did Aryabhatta explain the setting and rising of the sun?"
He explained it as an optical illusion caused by the Earth rotating on its own axis toward the east.
Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip
"Aryabhatta's ability to distinguish between apparent motion and actual motion marks him as a revolutionary thinker in global scientific history."
Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)