Indian Decimal Place-Value Notation

Timeline

1. c. 400–600India · IndiaA decimal place-value system gradually took shape in Sanskrit mathematical and astronomical traditions, with the concept of zero established in the literature both as a placeholder and as an independent value, laying the foundation for efficient large-number arithmetic.
2. 1001–1010India · IndiaBy this period, the Indian mathematical tradition had generally adopted decimal place-value notation for astronomical table calculations and arithmetic operations; the system was mature and stable, ready for subsequent transmission to the Arab world.
3. c. 800–1500Indian Ocean–Mediterranean scholarly network · EuropeThe Indian numeral system entered the Islamic world through the translations and writings of Arab scholars, where it was called 'Arabic numerals', and ultimately replaced Roman numerals as the mainstream numeral system in Renaissance Europe.