The correct option is (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation
Aryabhata was a legendary mathematician and astronomer of the Gupta period. His seminal work, the Aryabhatiya, written around 499 CE, contains comprehensive treatises on mathematics and astronomy, marking a distinct departure from Vedic astronomy towards a more scientific approach.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: Aryabhata famously stated that the earth is round and rotates on its own axis. He explained that this rotation is responsible for the occurrence of day and night, countering the prevailing belief that the heavens rotated around a stationary earth.
- Statement 2 is Correct: He provided a scientific explanation for solar and lunar eclipses. He asserted that eclipses were caused by the shadows cast by the earth and the moon, rather than the mythological demons Rahu and Ketu swallowing the sun or moon.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Aryabhata formulated a method for calculating the circumference of a circle. He provided a very accurate approximation of the value of $\pi$ (pi) as 3.1416, which allowed for precise calculations of circular dimensions.
- Statement 4 is Incorrect: While the decimal system and the concept of zero were developed in India during this era, Aryabhata did not invent the decimal system "in Europe." The knowledge of the Indian numeral system was transmitted to Europe centuries later through Arab scholars. The statement is geographically and historically inaccurate regarding the location of the invention and its dissemination.
Key Takeaway: Aryabhata revolutionized ancient astronomy by proposing the rotation of the earth, explaining eclipses scientifically as shadows, and providing accurate mathematical values for $\pi$, laying the groundwork for classical Indian astronomy.