Astronomical Efforts of Sawai Jai Singh
- A Review

Conclusion

For the sake of rejuvenating astronomy in his country, Jai Singh expended a great deal of energy as well as his personal fortune, and yet he failed to initiate the new age of astronomy in India. However, it would be unfair to conclude, therefore, that he is solely to blame for this fact. The means of communication were still in primitive stages in the early 18th century, and played a greater role in keeping the Raja ignorant of the contemporary astronomy of Europe than is generally realized. Secondly, a complex interaction of intellectual stagnation, religious taboos, theological beliefs, national rivalries, and the simple human failings of his associates also share the blame to a certain extent⁴.

Jai Singh's primary interest had been lunar phenomena. And for this, he made the best use of the technology available to him, the technology of building large masonry and stone structures, which was highly developed in the country. As pointed out earlier, the great Samrātas of Jaipur and Delhi are both capable of achieving a precision of ±1' of arc -- the limit for the unaided eye. Further, Jai Singh approached his self-appointed task of updating planetary tables with an open mind, and kept this attitude alive throughout his career. If De Bois can be believed, the Raja was ready to set aside all other tables if a better one were available (De Bois).

Jai Singh's accomplishments were medieval in retrospect, but his outlook was quite modern. For him the scientific knowledge had no religion or nationality. His efforts were truly secular; astronomers of all faiths participated in it -- a fact that alone is no small compliment to a ruler born in an environment and age of intolerance and bigotry.

Next Page