SM Razaullah Ansari
Encyclopedia
Shaikh Mohammad Razaullah Ansari is a historian of science, physicist, astronomer and author from India
.
in a family of scholars. He got his B.Sc.(Honours) and M.Sc. in Physics from Delhi University in 1953 and 1955 respectively. In 1956 he joined as a lecturer in Physics in Delhi College
, Delhi (now renamed as Zakir Hussain College). He secured a research fellowship of Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
( Bonn, Germany) in 1959. He worked there first at the Institute of Theoretical Physics and later shifted to Eberhard Karl University at Tuebingen (Germany), where he completed his D.Sc. (Dr. rer. nat.) in 1966 in Mathematical Physics
. During his sojourn in Germany, he specialized also in the history of exact science in India and Islamic countries. He researched during 1966-1969 as a research scholar/associate of German Council of Research in various capacities. In 1969, he was invited by the Aligarh Muslim University
to join the Physics Department as a Reader in theoretical physics. There he established a research group of astrophysics. His astrophysical work in Solar physics and Interstellar Matter was recognized both nationally and internationally by his election as a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society
(UK) in 1972 and as a Member of International Astronomical Union
(IAU) in 1973. Besides joining IAU Commissions of his specialty, Ansari joined also IAU Commission 41(History of Astronomy)in which he became so active that he was elected as its Vice-president for 1991–1994, and President for 1994-1997. Ansari was the first Indian/Asian President of Commission 41 since its inception. In 1997 he organized a symposium on History of Oriental Astronomy at the General Assembly of IAU, held in Kyoto, the proceedings of which was edited by him and published. Thereafter, Ansari shifted his research field to history of astronomy and mathematics, particularly of Medieval India, which, after his retirement in 1994 from Aligarh Muslim University, has become his passion for researching primary sources of history of science.
, Venus
, Transit of Venus
, Sun
, Astronomy in medieval Islam and Indian astronomy where he is well cited
He was awarded Humbolt Fellowship, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
to work in Germany
, Avempace, Qotb al-Din Shirazi that he edited:
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Biography
Shaikh Mohammad Razaullah Ansari (born 8.4.1932) was born in DelhiDelhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
in a family of scholars. He got his B.Sc.(Honours) and M.Sc. in Physics from Delhi University in 1953 and 1955 respectively. In 1956 he joined as a lecturer in Physics in Delhi College
Delhi College
Delhi College can refer to:* Zakir Husain College, Delhi, formerly known as The Delhi College, founded in 1792.* State University of New York at Delhi* Delhi College of Engineering* Delhi College of Arts and Commerce* Jagan Institute of Management Studies...
, Delhi (now renamed as Zakir Hussain College). He secured a research fellowship of Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is a foundation set-up by the government of the Federal Republic and funded by the German Foreign Office, the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development and others for the promotion of international co-operation...
( Bonn, Germany) in 1959. He worked there first at the Institute of Theoretical Physics and later shifted to Eberhard Karl University at Tuebingen (Germany), where he completed his D.Sc. (Dr. rer. nat.) in 1966 in Mathematical Physics
Mathematical physics
Mathematical physics refers to development of mathematical methods for application to problems in physics. The Journal of Mathematical Physics defines this area as: "the application of mathematics to problems in physics and the development of mathematical methods suitable for such applications and...
. During his sojourn in Germany, he specialized also in the history of exact science in India and Islamic countries. He researched during 1966-1969 as a research scholar/associate of German Council of Research in various capacities. In 1969, he was invited by the Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh Muslim University ,is a residential academic university, established in 1875 by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan as Mohammedan Angelo-Oriental College and later granted the status of Central University by an Act of the Indian Parliament in 1920...
to join the Physics Department as a Reader in theoretical physics. There he established a research group of astrophysics. His astrophysical work in Solar physics and Interstellar Matter was recognized both nationally and internationally by his election as a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society
Royal Astronomical Society
The Royal Astronomical Society is a learned society that began as the Astronomical Society of London in 1820 to support astronomical research . It became the Royal Astronomical Society in 1831 on receiving its Royal Charter from William IV...
(UK) in 1972 and as a Member of International Astronomical Union
International Astronomical Union
The International Astronomical Union IAU is a collection of professional astronomers, at the Ph.D. level and beyond, active in professional research and education in astronomy...
(IAU) in 1973. Besides joining IAU Commissions of his specialty, Ansari joined also IAU Commission 41(History of Astronomy)in which he became so active that he was elected as its Vice-president for 1991–1994, and President for 1994-1997. Ansari was the first Indian/Asian President of Commission 41 since its inception. In 1997 he organized a symposium on History of Oriental Astronomy at the General Assembly of IAU, held in Kyoto, the proceedings of which was edited by him and published. Thereafter, Ansari shifted his research field to history of astronomy and mathematics, particularly of Medieval India, which, after his retirement in 1994 from Aligarh Muslim University, has become his passion for researching primary sources of history of science.
Works and achievements
His works are extant in the field of PlanetPlanet
A planet is a celestial body orbiting a star or stellar remnant that is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity, is not massive enough to cause thermonuclear fusion, and has cleared its neighbouring region of planetesimals.The term planet is ancient, with ties to history, science,...
, Venus
Venus
Venus is the second planet from the Sun, orbiting it every 224.7 Earth days. The planet is named after Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. After the Moon, it is the brightest natural object in the night sky, reaching an apparent magnitude of −4.6, bright enough to cast shadows...
, Transit of Venus
Transit of Venus
A transit of Venus across the Sun takes place when the planet Venus passes directly between the Sun and Earth, becoming visible against the solar disk. During a transit, Venus can be seen from Earth as a small black disk moving across the face of the Sun...
, Sun
Sun
The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System. It is almost perfectly spherical and consists of hot plasma interwoven with magnetic fields...
, Astronomy in medieval Islam and Indian astronomy where he is well cited
He was awarded Humbolt Fellowship, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is a foundation set-up by the government of the Federal Republic and funded by the German Foreign Office, the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development and others for the promotion of international co-operation...
to work in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Books
He contributed many chapters on history of science in many books, but here are some of his books based on ZijZij
Zīj is the generic name applied to Islamic astronomical books that tabulate parameters used for astronomical calculations of the positions of the Sun, Moon, stars, and planets. The name is derived from the Middle Persian term zih or zīg, meaning cord...
, Avempace, Qotb al-Din Shirazi that he edited:
- History of oriental astronomy: proceedings of the joint discussion-17 at the 23rd General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union, organised by the Commission 41 (History of Astronomy), held in Kyoto, August 25–26, 1997, Springer, ISBN 1402006578
- History of oriental astronomy, Kluwer Academic Publishers, ISBN 1-4020-0657-8, Netherlands
- Quasi-binomial Representations of Clebsch-Gordan Coefficients, Fortschritte der Physik 1967; Volume 14, Issue 12, pages 729-751
- History of Science in Medieval India, Idarah-i Adabiyat-i Delli - Jayyad Press, India
- Science and technology in the Islamic world with a proceedings, 2002 by Brepols in Turnhout, Belgium
Association with learned bodies
- Fellow, Royal Astronomical SocietyRoyal Astronomical SocietyThe Royal Astronomical Society is a learned society that began as the Astronomical Society of London in 1820 to support astronomical research . It became the Royal Astronomical Society in 1831 on receiving its Royal Charter from William IV...
(London), 1972 - Founder Secretary-general, Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicine and SciencesIbn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicine and SciencesIbn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicine and Sciences is one of the Indian NGOs, which is registered under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882. Mohammad Hamid Ansari, former vice-chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, formally inaugurated it on April 21, 2001...
- Founder Editor (1985–2000), ‘Studies in History of Medicine and Science’ (ISSN 0970-5562), Jamia HamdardJamia HamdardJamia Hamdard is a university located in New Delhi, India. It was established in 1989.Our Revered Founder Janab Hakeem Abdul Hameed Saheb, a true Gandhian in spirit and simplicity was born in Delhi on September 14, 1908. No account of Hakeem Saheb can be complete without the mention of his...
, New Delhi - Founder Editor, 'Newsletter of Ibn Sina Academy' (NISA), Aligarh (ISSN 0972-6411)
- Member secretary, Indian Committee of International Union for History and Philosophy of Science (IUHPS)
- President, International Union for History and Philosophy (IUHPS) Commission for Science and Technology in Islamic Civilization, 1993–97
- President, International Astronomical UnionInternational Astronomical UnionThe International Astronomical Union IAU is a collection of professional astronomers, at the Ph.D. level and beyond, active in professional research and education in astronomy...
(IAU) Commission for History of Astronomy, 1994–97 - President, IUHPS-IAU Joint Inter-Union Commission for History of Astronomy, 1997–2001
- President, IUHPS Commission for History of Ancient and Medieval Astronomy, 2001–2005; re-elected from 2005–2009
- Elected Assessor, IUHPS Council for 1989-93; re-elected for 1994-97
- First Vice-President, Council of the International Union for History and Philosophy of Science
- Board Members Affiliates, The Islamic Scientific Manuscripts Initiative (ISMI)
- Executive Member, Indian National Commission for History of Science
- President, International Commission for Astronomy
- Elected President, Commission for History of Ancient and Medieval Astronomy (CHAMA)
- Member, International Congress of History of Science
- Member, Indian National Commission for History of Science
- Member, International Astronomical UnionInternational Astronomical UnionThe International Astronomical Union IAU is a collection of professional astronomers, at the Ph.D. level and beyond, active in professional research and education in astronomy...
(IAU), 1973 - Member, International Academy of the History of Science, 1986
- Member, Indian National Science Academy
- Member, Commission of Islamic Sciences
- Member, Indian Delegation to the 500th Anniversary Celebration of Nicolaus Copernicus, Torun, Poland, 1973