Page:Indian mathematics, Kaye (1915).djvu/12

 2. In the 16th century, A.D., Hindu tradition ascribes the invention of the nine figures with the device of places to make them suffice for all numbers 'to the beneficent Creator of the universe'; and this was accepted as evidence of the very great antiquity of the system! This is a particular illustration of an attitude that was quite general, for early Indian works claim either to be directly revealed or of divine origin. One consequence of this attitude is that we find absolutely no references to foreign origins or foreign influence. We have, however, a great deal of direct evidence that proves conclusively that foreign influence was very real indeed—Greek and Roman coins, coins with Greek and Indian inscriptions, Greek technical terms, etc., etc.; and the implication of considerable foreign influence occurs in certain classes of literature and also in the archæological remains of the north-west of India. One of the few references to foreigners is given by Vahrāha Mihira who acknowledged that the Greeks knew something of astrology; but although he gives accounts of the Romaka and the Pauliśa siddhāntas he never makes any direct acknowledgment of western influence.