193. Empire of Numbers: The Indian Origin of Arabic Numerals

193. Empire of Numbers: The Indian Origin of Arabic Numerals

Often called Arabic numerals, the modern number system we use today actually originates in India. Whilst in the west they were using Roman numerals, in India they were using numbers 1-9. Then, the great Brahmagupta in the 7th century made one of the most monumental developments in human history. He invented zero in its modern form. Therefore, these basic rules of mathematics for the first time allowed any number up to infinity to be expressed with just ten distinct symbols: the nine Indian numbers plus zero. Rules that are still taught in classrooms around the world today. This step was a major advance that had never previously been attempted elsewhere and it was this Indian reincarnation of zero as a number, rather than just as an absence, that transformed it and gave it its power. From India, this development then travelled along the Golden Road and into the heart of Barmakid Baghdad. Listen as William and Anita discuss the origins of the Empire of Numbers. To buy William's book: https://coles-books.co.uk/the-golden-road-by-william-dalrymple-signed-edition Twitter: @Empirepoduk Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com Goalhangerpodcasts.com Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett Producer: Callum Hill Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episoder(359)

46. The Mau Mau, the court case, and the hidden documents

46. The Mau Mau, the court case, and the hidden documents

The Mau Mau emergency began in 1952. Over the next eight years, the British abused thousands of Kenyans; detaining them, torturing them, murdering them. Yet, when Caroline Elkins published her book de...

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45. Successors to the Romans, progressive harems, and living Ottomans

45. Successors to the Romans, progressive harems, and living Ottomans

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44. The Legacy of the Ottomans, Queen of the Desert, and giant turbans

44. The Legacy of the Ottomans, Queen of the Desert, and giant turbans

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43. The Birth of Saudi Arabia

43. The Birth of Saudi Arabia

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42. The Fiery End of the Ottoman Empire

42. The Fiery End of the Ottoman Empire

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6 Apr 202348min

41. The Rise of Ataturk

41. The Rise of Ataturk

The First World War is over. There is unrest across Anatolia, exacerbated by the Greek invasion coming through Smyrna. Turkish forces are swelling to fight back against the Greeks, and at their head.....

4 Apr 202351min

40. Origins of the Israel-Palestine Conflict

40. Origins of the Israel-Palestine Conflict

The Balfour Declaration was published on the 9th November 1917. It stated the intent of the British government to create a Jewish homeland in Palestine. This week, William and Anita are joined by Tom ...

28 Mar 202349min

39. Lawrence of Arabia and the Arab Revolt

39. Lawrence of Arabia and the Arab Revolt

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21 Mar 202359min

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