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Astronomical Explanation of the Enigmatic Sundial in Agra, India


Affiliations
1 Department of Physics, JECRC University, Jaipur 303 905, India
2 Manipal University, Jaipur 303 007, India
3 Astronomy and Astrophysics Resource Development and Research Academy, Jaipur 302 001, India
 

This study explains the functioning of a sundial in Moti Masjid, a mosque in Red Fort, Agra, India. The instrument, made in Islamic style, had remained enigmatic for a long time. The present study is an effort to resolve this enigma. The gnomon length for the sundial is ascertained and its functioning has been examined using on-site observations as well as computations.

Keywords

Azimuth, Meridian, Sundial, Time-Keeping, Zenith.
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  • Pandya, A., Tej Bahadur and Bhattacharya, S., Astronomical significance of sun-dials in Srirangapatna. Curr. Sci., 2018, 116(5), 811–816.

  • Pandya, A., Tej Bahadur and Bhattacharya, S., Sun-dial for timekeeping in Jaisalmer Fort. Indian J. Hist. Sci., 2017, 52(2), 137–146; http://insa.nic.in/UI/Journalarticle.aspx?jid=Mw==&&VID=MzMw&&IsNm=SXNzdWUgMg==

  • Sarma, S. R., A Descriptive Catalogue of Indian Astronomical Instruments, 2017, pp. 3602–3604 and references therein; http://www.srsarma.in/catalogue.php

  • Ibid; pp. 3603–3604.

  • King, David A., Astronomy and Islamic society: Qibla, gnomonics and timekeeping. In Encyclopedia of the History of Arabic Science (ed. Roshid), 1996, vol. 1, pp. 128–184, 166–167.

  • Karim, A. S. M., A Guide to PRAYER in Islam, The Co-operative Office for Call and Foreigners’ Guidance at Sultanah, Riyadh, 1997, pp. 16–17; http://www.islamicbook.ws/english/english-020.pdf

  • http://praytime.org/calculation

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Abstract Views: 238

PDF Views: 121




  • Astronomical Explanation of the Enigmatic Sundial in Agra, India

Abstract Views: 238  |  PDF Views: 121

Authors

Aalok Pandya
Department of Physics, JECRC University, Jaipur 303 905, India
Tej Bahadur
Manipal University, Jaipur 303 007, India
Sandip Bhattacharya
Astronomy and Astrophysics Resource Development and Research Academy, Jaipur 302 001, India

Abstract


This study explains the functioning of a sundial in Moti Masjid, a mosque in Red Fort, Agra, India. The instrument, made in Islamic style, had remained enigmatic for a long time. The present study is an effort to resolve this enigma. The gnomon length for the sundial is ascertained and its functioning has been examined using on-site observations as well as computations.

Keywords


Azimuth, Meridian, Sundial, Time-Keeping, Zenith.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv120%2Fi5%2F942-945