International Conference on History of Indian Mathematics

About the Conference

Sanskrit studies and research on Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) have been on the rise in recent times. As is the case with other disciplines, a deep interest has grown in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research within the spectrum of Indological studies as well. Equipped with the well-developed modern research methodology, Indologists have made commendable attempts to broaden the understanding of the vast knowledge laid in the texts written in Sanskrit. At the same time, the modern research norms and university standards highlight the importance of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research which bring together enthusiastic scholars of a variety of backgrounds from different parts of the world to a common ground. Such research has been expanding the boundaries of our awareness of the ancient world in Sanskrit.

This two-day conference is organized by the Department of Classical Languages, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, in collaboration with the Indian Soceity for History of Mathematics (ISHM), Delhi, India, Assistant High Commission of India, Kandy, and the Centre for Traditional Indian Knowledge and Skills (CTIKS), IIT-Bombay, Mumbai, India.

This international conference brings together historians of mathematics, mathematicians, Sanskrit scholars, philosophers, historians of science, and researchers interested in the development of mathematical ideas in the Indian subcontinent and beyond. The conference aims to foster an interdisciplinary dialogue on mathematical texts, traditions, transmission, and their global influence.

University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

The University of Peradeniya is the oldest university in Sri Lanka, located in the scenic city of Peradeniya near Kandy. Established in 1942 as a residential university, it is renowned for its natural beauty, academic excellence, and contributions to higher education and research. The university offers a wide range of programs across disciplines, attracting students from across Sri Lanka and beyond. More details are available here.

Indian Society for History of Mathematics, Delhi, India

ISHM, founded in 1978 by Udita Narayana Singh, aims to promote the study, teaching, and education of the history of mathematics at all levels. The society supports academic exchange through national and international seminars, conferences, and meetings, and has been publishing its bulletin, Ganita Bharati, regularly since its establishment. More details are available here.

Assistant High Commission of India, Kandy, Sri Lanka

The Assistant High Commission of India in Kandy serves as an important diplomatic mission of the Government of India in Sri Lanka’s Central Province. It plays a key role in strengthening the longstanding cultural, educational, economic, and people-to-people ties between India and Sri Lanka. It also promotes cultural exchanges, academic collaborations, and development partnerships in the region. More details are available here.

Centre for Traditional Indian Knowledge and Skills, IIT Bombay

CTIKS promotes research and dissemination of traditional Indian knowledge systems and cultural heritage, integrating them with modern academic studies. It supports interdisciplinary learning and collaborative research initiatives. The Centre is affiliated to the Indian Institute of Technolocy - Bombay, Mumbai. More details are available here.

Conference Themes

Conference Objectives

The main objective of the conference is to educate the university staff and students with a Sanskrit and mathematics background both in undergraduate and postgraduate levels about the exact sciences (Astro-mathematical literature) in particular, and sciences in Sanskrit in general, and to contextualize Sanskrit scientific literature. Apart from it, the conference intends to achieve the following objectives:

• To develop skills in reading and interpreting Sanskrit mathematical and astronomical texts, including scientific terminologies and the aphoristic style of composition.
• To provide participants hands-on engagement in reconstructing astronomical calculations and solving mathematical problems by understanding traditional instruments and computational techniques.
• To examine the development of key mathematical and astronomical concepts in ancient India and situate the role of the Sanskrit scientific tradition within the global history of science.
• To build a network of like-minded people who are interested in the history of sciences and initiate collaborative research on the history of sciences in Sanskrit.
• To create opportunities for Sri Lankan scholars who are interested in the history of sciences to join the prestigious ISHM and to work with the scholars affiliated to it.

Guest Speakers

• Prof. M. S. Sriram
  Retired Professor, University of Madras, Chennai, India


• Prof. K. Ramasubramanian
  Professor-in-Charge, Centre for Traditional Indian Knowledge and Skills, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India; President, Indian Society for History of Mathematics


• Prof. Srikrishna G. Dani
  Editor, Ganita Bharati; Indian Society for History of Mathematics


• Prof. Anupam Jain
  Government Holkar Science College, Indore, India;
  Vice President, Indian Society for History of Mathematics


• Dr. Sita Sundarram
  Secretary, Kuppuswami Sastri Research Institute, Chennai, India;
  Member of Council, Indian Society for History of Mathematics


• Dr. Chandana Jayawardhana
  Senior Lecturer, Department of Mathematics and Philosophy of Engineering, Open University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka


• Dr. Harsha Wijayawardhana
  COO/CTO, Theekshana; Chartered Fellow of the British Computer Society;
  Former Head, Software Development Unit, University of Colombo School of Computing, Colombo, Sri Lanka


• Dr. Darshana Prajapati
  Head & Associate Professor, Charutar Vidya Mandal University, Gujarat, India;
  Member of Council, Indian Society for History of Mathematics


• Dr. K. Mahesh
  Assistant Professor, Centre for Excellence of Indian Knowledge Systems, IIT Kharagpur, India


• Dr. Aditya Kolachana
  Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Madras, India


• Dr. K. Sreekanth
  Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, Amrita Vishva Vidyapeetham, Kochi, India


• Dr. Aalok Thakkar
  Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science, Ashoka University, India

Call for Papers

Scholars are invited to submit original research papers related to the history, philosophy, transmission, interpretation, and the practice of Indian mathematics.

Important Dates

Abstract Submission Deadline	20 June 2026
Notification of Acceptance	27 June 2026
Registration Deadline	04 July 2026
Conference Dates	23–24 July 2026

Programme Schedule

Will be notified soon.

Registration

Registration is mandatory for all the participants.

Accommodation

The following accommodation options are available for the conference participants.

Gal Bungalow
University of Peradeniya

Comfortable accommodation near the University of Peradeniya

This is situated in a scenic and quiet place. It consists of 8 rooms with facilities to accommodate 30 people. Each room has an attached bathroom with hot shower. This is equipped with Wi-Fi, and fans, but not AC. This is 4.5 km away from the University.

Free accommodation will be provided for the conference participants in the Gal Bungalow.

Contact:

Phone : +94 81 238 8301
Ext. No : 2436 / 2446 / 2886
Email : generalservice@gs.pdn.ac.lk

JRDC
University of Peradeniya

Convenient stay with modern facilities and easy-access to the University

This is a newly built accommodation. It consists of single rooms and double rooms equipped with AC, Wi-Fi, electric kettle, and an attached bathroom with a hot shower. This is in the University premises within 0.5 km away from the conference venue.

Single room - LKR 3200.00
Double room - LKR 5000.00.

Contact:

Phone : +94 81 238 8301
Email: info@jrdc.lk
Phone: +94 81 205 8116
+94 70 305 8116

Royal Mall
Kandy

Convenient stay with modern facilities and easy-access to the University

Royal Mall, located 3 km away from the University, offers comfortable accommodation, modern facilities, and easy-access to major attractions. Its convenient location and welcoming atmosphere make it an excellent choice for conference participants.

For the room-rates, see the website.

Contact:

Phone : +94 81 238 8301
Email: info@jrdc.lk
Phone: +94 817 388 300
Hotline: +94 70 538 8300

Contact Details

For further inquiries, please contact