Established 1978
About ISHM
The Indian Society for History of Mathematics aims to promote study, teaching and education in the history of mathematical sciences, with special emphasis on Indian mathematical traditions.
The Society
The Indian Society for History of Mathematics (ISHM) aims to promote study, teaching and education in the history of mathematical sciences. It provides a forum for exchange of ideas and experiences regarding various aspects of the history of mathematical sciences.
In addition to annual conferences, ISHM has been organising seminars and symposia on the works of ancient, medieval and modern mathematics and has been regularly bringing out its bulletin Gaṇita Bhāratī ever since inception. Scholars, teachers, students and all lovers of mathematical sciences are welcome to join the Society.
Membership
There are five types of members of the Society:
- Founder Members — Persons whose names appear in the Memorandum of Association as desirous of forming the Society.
- Ordinary Members — Any person interested in the objects of the Society and agreeing to abide by its constitution and byelaws.
- Life Members — Any person eligible for election as an ordinary member may apply for life membership.
- Honorary Members — By invitation only; distinguished persons of eminence nominated by the Council for a period of two years (not more than five at any time).
All members are entitled to receive communications about the activities of the Society, to participate in its conferences without sessional fees, to have free access to the online issues of Gaṇita Bhāratī, and to stand for election as an office-bearer or Council member.
The Founder
Professor Udita Narayana Singh (1917 – )
The Indian Society for History of Mathematics was founded by the late Professor Udita Narayana Singh in the year 1978. Professor Singh was born on August 4, 1917, in the District of Varanasi. His early student life and a significant part of his formative years as a mathematician were spent at the Allahabad University, then famed as “Oxford of the East”.
Here, the distinguished analyst B. N. Prasad influenced him and he produced one of the finest doctoral dissertations in mathematics to have come out of Allahabad University in 1949. None other than E. C. Titchmarsh, FRS, who called Singh “an extremely talented mathematician”, praised the thesis in superlative terms. U. N. Singh then proceeded to the Sorbonne (University of Paris) where he worked under the guidance of the renowned mathematician Szolem Mandelbrojt and obtained the state D.Sc. with mention très honorable in 1954.
An enlightened educationist and mathematician, his contributions are memorable. He served with distinction as Vice Chancellor of the University of Allahabad and as Pro-Vice Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of the University of Delhi, where he was responsible for several innovations that substantially improved the working of institutions across India.
His profound knowledge of Sanskrit, of the Vedas and of Indian philosophy and culture helped him in having a deep understanding and appreciation of Ancient Indian Mathematics. He foresaw the need and importance to accord the history of mathematics — in particular the history of Indian mathematics — its rightful place in the context of the country’s growth and development. As Founder President of ISHM, he took keen interest in its growth and development. It is a fitting tribute to him that Gaṇita Bhāratī is today among the leading international journals on the history of mathematics.
The Crusader
Professor B. S. Yadav
Professor B. S. Yadav spearheaded the activities of ISHM for almost three decades. Born in Mathura, India, he dedicated his whole life to the cause of mathematics and the history of mathematical sciences. After obtaining his B.Sc. (1953) and M.Sc. (1957) degrees from Agra University and Aligarh Muslim University respectively, he pursued research in mathematics at M. S. University, Baroda, for which he was awarded a Ph.D. in 1965.
Through his extended research career he made significant contributions to Functional Analysis, Operator Theory, Fourier Analysis and studies in the history of mathematics. His teaching career began at M. S. University, Baroda (Lecturer, 1956–1964), followed by Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidya Nagar, Gujarat (Reader, 1964–1970), and then Delhi University (Reader, 1970–1976; Professor, 1976–1996).
He played an influential role at various universities and Indian boards of studies, and served as Head of the Department of Mathematics and as Dean of the Faculty of Mathematical Sciences in Delhi University. He was a Visiting Professor of Mathematics at Cleveland State University, Ohio, USA during 1987–1988.
A founder member of ISHM, he was deeply emotionally involved with this Society and was the main driving force behind its activities for over two decades. He served as Administrative Secretary over a long period and later as Editor of Gaṇita Bhāratī. His tireless efforts contributed greatly to creating a new awareness in the study and research of history of mathematics in the Indian context.
B. S. Yadav was an organiser par excellence. He organised many national and international conferences, seminars and workshops, and always encouraged the publication of their proceedings. He continued to be engaged with mathematics to his last breath.