THE ELEMENTS OF PLANE GEOMETRY IN 48 PROPOSITIONS ; Promising to serve for the First Six FROM THE SANSCRIT TEXT OF ARYA BHATTA. EDITED ON THE PRINCIPLE OF EUCLID BY JASODA NANDAN SIRCAR. CALCUTTA. PRINTED BY P. N. SHAHA AT THE CHRISTIAN PREFACE. The Hindoo Geometry, as contained in the Dasa Gitica Parisistacam of Arya Bhatta, which is the subject of the present edition, differs from that of Euclid in several important particulars. The propositions in the Hindoo Geometry are arranged from right to left. That which ought to have been, according to modern taste, the last in the series is given first and is proved by the next following. The latter is proved by the next following it and so on. This inverse arrangement has rendered the subject unnecessarily abstruse and definitely points out to the learner the necessity of attending Guruphadeshas or lectures of a competent Geometer with a view to his being initiated into the secrets of Geometry. One reason that the editor of the present work would venture to give for the light of Geometry having been extinguished from the land in an early age, is the necessity, as alluded to, of having recourse to the lectures of a competent Guru, under which the student of Geometry was unavoidably placed. The excellent diction adopted by Euclid in his demonstrations, as would appear through its English version, is not only free from this hieroglyphic character of the Hindoo Geometry, but is what from its inimitable care and arrangement as well as from its easy simplicity, and masterly grasp, has become alike acceptable to the philosopher, the orator, the young and the advanced. The Hindoo Geometry, on the other hand, contains mere enunciations, without attempting at demonstrations, giving here and there cursory hints which serve as |