Undoubtedly the complete credit goes to INDIA for the invention of ZERO and its effects use as a number. In the beginning it was shown in the form of DOT or sometimes by a circle. It was known by the name “SHUNYA” meaning nothing in Sanskrit.

Historians believed that it came into existence from 458 A.D.

Most of the number and problems were written in verses form (Known as SLOKA in Sanskrit) or in the basis of natural things.

For Ex: Moon and Earth represents the Number 1, Eyes represents the Number 2, Indians were the First to introduce Base 10 system for the calculations.

The opinion of historians says that the invention and application of Zero made effectively in and application of Zero made effectively in India because of the non availability of counting instruments ‘abacus’ which was popular during that period in different countries. The dependency to write the number for commercial purpose many be the main reason for its invention in India. The great mathematician of India Brahmagupta (Born in Multan and lived during 598-660 A.D) wrote on nature of Zero in his book “Bramhagupta Siddhanth”

1) A + 0 = A

2) A – 0 = A

3) A × 0 = 0

4) A / 0 = 0

His first 3 formulas were correct but he failed to express the product of 4^th one. He told it as Zero instead of Infinity. Later it was solved by another famous Indian mathematician Bhaskar (1114 A.D – 1185A.D) who born at Bijapur in Karnataka. It was mentioned in his famous book “Leelavathi”

Invention of Zero inspired by the Indians to invent the negative numbers and later algebra also developed. All this shows the tremendous development of Maths and astronomy during 6^th century to 10^th century.

Spreading to China, Arabia and Europe:

The rich knowledge of mathematics and Astronomy of India spread to China and Arabian Countries.

During 8^th century the king of Baghdad Kholof-al-mansoor sent his people to Sindh (Now in Pakistan) for study of Mathematics, Astronomy and Medicine. Along with the education they carried the important books also. Later these Indian books were translated to Arabian Languages.

Famous mathematician of Arab Al-khwarizmi (790 A.D – 850 A.D) visited India in 830A.D. and he popularized the Indian numeral system through his popular book “Hisab-al-jabr-wa-al-muqabilah”. He translated the Sanskrit word “SHUNYA as Al-Saifor” or ‘Saifar’. Later ‘Al-sabr’ becomes Algebra.

Arabians found the importance of Indian Numeral System and felt that it was more useful than other numeral system. They maintained the secrecy with other countries; they avoided the admissions for abroad people to their instructions.

Leonard Fibonachhi (1170 A.D – 1230A.D) of Italy was the another famous mathematician who popularized the Indian Numerals by his book “Leeber abachhi”
Wrote in 1202 A.D.

After the invention of printing press the Indian Numerals spread over to Spain, Italy, France and than to Germany. During 16^th century these became so popular and the use of Abacus Declined.

Etymology:

After the translation of the Indian word “Shunya” became ‘Sifr’-Nothing in Arabic language. The word ‘Sifr’ became ‘Zephyr’ in Latin. Later the word ‘Zephyr’ became ZERO.

The mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci named it as ‘Zephyrus’ and he popularized it in European countries. In the same way it was called by different words in different languages with the same meaning.

Shunya – in Sanskrit.

Cyfra – in polish.

Cifra – in Spain.

Zero – in French.

Sonne – in Kannada.

Ziffer – in German.

Siffra – in Swedish.

Meithen – in Greek.

Now, India is recognized with great respect for its invention of Zero by importance with Technological world

In computer science, ZISC stands for Zero Instruction Set Computer, which refers to a chip technology based on pure pattern matching and absence of (micro-) instructions in the classical sense. The ZISC acronym alludes to the previously developed RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) technology.