By Franky Fernandes –
India has a long tradition of astronomy influenced by Greeks and Arabs, but modern science was introduced in India by the Europeans, in particular the Jesuits. The first use of an optical device (telescope) for astronomical observation in India on November 10, 1618, makes Goa the birth place of telescopic observation in India and not Surat, as was previously believed. These details and many other fascinating findings were presented by Seminarian Franky Fernandes of the Rachol Seminary, Goa who investigated the “Historical perspective on Jesuit contribution to Astronomy” and highlighted the use of the telescope on the Indian soil for the time from the Rachol Seminary in 1618. Indian Catholic Matters is proud to run this research paper as a series of articles.
Also read:
Tryst with Telescope in Goa: Birth of Telescopic Astronomy in India
India as an Observatory: Involvement of Jesuits in India
“True faith is not hostile to science, but both are like two rays coming from the same Sun which should illuminate our mind by the way of truth” (Angelo Secchi)
“Although the spread of the Christian faith was the most important plan of the Jesuits, their activities had a scientific dimension about them also, being the first European men of learning in India” (R. Kochhar)
Introduction
Humans, from time immemorial have marveled at and tried to comprehend the mystery of the vast celestial cosmos. Even the cosmic elements were put in his own service such as to predict weather for cultivation purpose, for navigational needs or even to know his own relation with the cosmos. This relentless effort to unravel and understand the ‘book of nature’ over the years evolved into a scientific discipline called astronomy.
The invention of telescope in 1609 by Galileo Galilei brought revolutionary changes in our understanding of the universe. College of Rachol, the Rachol Seminary of today, St. Paul’s College (Old Goa) and the island of Divar played very important role in the birth of the telescopic astronomy in India. Hence, the first use of this telescope in India is credited to Goa. Thanks to Ramesh Kapoor for bringing to light the importance of this event. To understand this unique contribution we will first consider Indian astronomy in antiquity. Next, we shall study Jesuit engagement with science and its first use of telescope in Goa. Following we shall try to understand the revolution it produced in India through Jesuit engagement with astronomy and close with some remarks about faith and astronomy.
Indian Astronomy in Antiquity
India has a rich and long tradition of astronomy. It was influenced by Greek and Arab astronomy. The mathematical, or Siddhantic astronomy came with the interaction with Greeks in post-Alexandrian period. This kind of astronomy was concerned with calculation of geocentric planetary orbits and developing algorithms for the solution of the mathematical equations that arose in the process.
Another was, the Zij astronomy. This period was known for the preparation of astronomical tables which can be categorized into three:
(i)“Zij-e-Rashadi (direct tables) based on actual observations;
(ii) Zij-e-Hisabi (calculated tables) obtained by correcting observational tables for errors, precession, etc.; and
(iii) Zij-e-Tas’hil (simplified tables) which were simplified versions of other tables, for example, for the moon alone.” It developed in 9th century in Baghdad and made its debut in India in 14th century.
There were also books on astronomy. The oldest known text is Vedanga Jyotisha, dated about 1400 BC. Other treatise on astronomy were Siddhantas and Karanas. Some of the astronomical instruments were Yasti Yantra, Ghatti Yantra, and Gola Yantra. Some of the well-known Indian astronomers of antiquity are Aryabhata I, Latadeva (505), Varahamihira (c.505), Bhaskara I (c.574), Bharmagupta (b.598), Lalla (c.638 or c.768), Manjula or Munjala (932), Shripati (1039) and Bhaskara II (b.1114).
Ancient Indian astronomy laid more stress on computational than observational aspect. There were also few observational instruments. It was mixture of astrology and astronomy, which was generally used to know the auspiciousness of events and their timings. However the modern science was introduced in India by the Europeans in particular the Jesuits.
European Engagement: Jesuits as Men of Science
The engagement of Jesuits in scientific activities is to be understood in the historical, social and religious context.
A. Historical Factor: The maritime powers, Portugal and Spain, were on mission of discovering sea-routes, an alternate to the East. The discovery of sea route to India in 1498 started to navigate the European powers to the shores of India. As the navigational needs aroused, it spurred development in science.
Beginning from 15th century, astronomy started to develop more on practical lines than pure science in Europe. The overseas expeditions had to meet navigational and geographical requirements as a result new instruments were invented to aid the mariners and cartographers which resulted in discovery of astronomical quadrants, sextants, telescopes and chronometers. Maps became of crucial which had to be drawn based on astronomical observations. Therefore, observatories came to be patronized by governments.
B. Social Factor: It this period of beginning of the modern science, the Jesuit Society was born in 1534. Therefore, disciplines like mathematics and astronomy became part of Jesuit training, knowing the social demands and importance in apostolic work. The Constitutions and the Ratio Studiorum mentions the benefit of studying the liberal arts and the natural sciences as intellectual preparation for the study of theology, to teach philosophy, as apologetic argument for those seeing Church as against science, to counter superstitious practices, etc.
C. Religious Factor: Steven J. Harris explains the involvement of Jesuits in scientific endeavors as an “apostolic spirituality”. The Jesuits see scientific activities as service to God through the apostolic ministry to men and knowledge leading to the path of salvation. They hold learning in esteem, believing that it leads to sanctification. Jesuits believe “finding God in all things” therefore whether observing galaxy or drawing maps all such profane activities is form of spirituality to Jesuits. Therefore, when science was considered alien to religion, Jesuits ventured in this field to show its compatibility with science as a vehicle to find God. And observatories becoming their ‘parishes’
The Jesuits who came to India were astronomers, cartographers, geographers, and architects. They engaged in science in many ways such teaching scientific disciplines, involving in public debates and carrying out astronomical observations, etc.
To be continued…
Tomorrow: Tryst with Telescope in Goa: Birth of Telescopic Astronomy in India
Franky Fernandes, a seminarian at the Rachol Seminary, had presented his paper on the “Historical perspective on Jesuit contribution to Astronomy” at a Symposium organised by the Rachol Seminary in collaboration with All India Mission Seminary, Pilar on “Hawking, Dawkins and God: Seeking Catholic Perspectives” on January 12, 2019.