We want to build a history of mathematics by looking at it as forms of practices. bringing together tools, texts, local lores, and other records from different kinds of occupations,
How to navigate and make use of this archive ?
Teaching and learning is integral to production and reproduction of mathematical practices. This is the collection of materials which we associate directly to teaching and learning.
Collection of measuring instruments from Museums and Households as well as records of practices and conversations pertaining to measures, standardisation and measuring. Measuring is arguably among the most pervasive of mathematical practices. What are the different roles it play in our social lives?
A prominent context of mathematical practices. The collection comprises of merchant and revenue accounts.
Under our sculpture collection, we bring together both texts on sculpting and documentation of practice, including conversations with practitioners.
Here we explore musical instrument making as an artisanal and social practice, focusing on the practitioners involved in making, playing, maintaining, and repairing instruments.
Measuring and calculation are essential part of planning and construction. This collection includes texts on how to construct temples, houses and so on.
This collection include textual records on traditional ship design, along with contemporary documentation of the building process.
Precision and proportion of various active components are of central importance in medicinal preparation. This collection comprise of medical texts pertaining to different schools, such as Ayurveda and Siddha.
Astronomy and Astrology have always demanded precise computations of planetary positions. This collection predominantly have astrological texts and alamancs.
Shared Research Practice
Conversations and discussions about historical records and inscriptions with people from the regions to which these records relate. They take place in the communities’ own locales.
Details of meetings and workshops with practitioners at their workplace and otherwise to learn from the practice.
List of funded projects we have carried out in relation to this archive and atlas.
List of Research publications and edited volumes based on our work on questions of mathematical practices and Society.
This is a list of presentation on our works on the archive and social history of mathematical practices given to various audiences around the world.
Evidences of Agrarian Unrest in Medieval South India
Making of a Measuring Public
Ye to Write
Folding Quantity and Quality of Land into a Single Index
Story of standardization in Madras presidency
Standards before Standardization
senthil.babu@ifpindia.org
