New NCERT Class 7 textbook traces algebra, integers, other concepts to ancient India: Report
New Delhi: The newly released Class 7 mathematics textbook by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) attributes several mathematical concepts, including algebra, to Indian mathematicians, The Indian Express reported on Friday.
The book, titled Ganita Prakash, is the second part of NCERT’s revised Class 7 mathematics series. Part 1, released earlier this year, also highlighted India’s historical contributions to mathematics. The latest volume draws on examples from Sanskrit texts, includes exercises inspired by the works of ancient Indian mathematicians, and discusses about an ancient Indian text on geometry.
A chapter on integers, for example, points to mathematician Brahmagupta’s 7th-century CE text Brahmasphutasiddhanta as being the “first time that rules for multiplication and division of positive and negative numbers were articulated”. It describes this “an important step in the development of arithmetic and algebra” and includes problems based on Brahmagupta’s principles. The textbook mentions that Indian contributions to algebra are among the earliest known work in the field.
Another chapter, devoted to algebraic equations, introduces the concept of bijaganita, now known as algebra, and explains that forming expressions with symbols and solving them was a key aspect of mathematical exploration in ancient India. The chapter refers to Brahmagupta’s work on adding, subtracting and multiplying unknown numbers using letters, saying this is among the earliest known works in algebra, the report added.
Tracing the evolution of algebra, the textbook says Indian mathematical ideas were translated into Arabic in the 8th century, influencing scholars such as Al-Khwarizmi of present-day Iraq. His 9th-century work, Hisab al-jabr wal-muqabala (“calculation by restoring and balancing”), incorporated these ideas. By the 12th century, the text had been translated into Latin and reached Europe. “The word al-jabr from his book gave us the word algebra, which we also still use today,” it says.
NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani said the inclusion of such material aims to help students learn “correct history” and move away from “skewed” colonial interpretations.
Commenting on the historical context, Dhruv Raina, historian and philosopher of science, sais that Arab scholars were “profoundly influenced” by Indian mathematicians, especially Brahmagupta. “They improvised upon these methods to create what we consider algebra today. The Arab mathematicians were great synthesisers and innovators with the knowledge they acquired from ancient Greek, Indian and Chinese traditions,” TIE quoted Raina as saying.
The earlier Class 7 textbook contained no references to ancient Indian mathematicians. The new edition is part of NCERT’s move to align school curricula with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
