Feb 8 • 10:38 UTC 🇮🇳 India Aaj Tak (Hindi)

Was the telescope invented in Europe or in India? Video of Hoysala temple goes viral

A viral video showing carvings from the Hoysala temples in Karnataka claims to depict a figure holding a telescope-like device, raising questions about the history of the telescope's invention.

A viral video featuring ancient carvings from the Hoysala temples in Karnataka has sparked a debate over the origins of the telescope. Australian traveler Liam Richards shared this video on Instagram, asserting that the carving shows a figure holding an object resembling a telescope, predating its recognized invention in 1608 by centuries. The depiction in the temple allegedly challenges established historical narratives.

Richards argues in the video that the representation challenges traditional historical accounts, claiming that the temple's artwork shows a person looking through a long tube-like object much earlier than the time when telescopes were supposedly invented. This assertion has led to discussions among historians and enthusiasts about the possibility of advanced scientific knowledge existing in ancient India, long before Europeans are credited with such inventions. The intricacy of the carvings adds credibility to this argument, provoking further intrigue among the public.

The video gained attention not only for its provocative content but also for its engagement with heritage and the historical narratives needing reevaluation. If the claims hold any truth, it could lead to significant implications for how history is taught and understood, particularly regarding India's contributions to science and astronomy, often overshadowed by narratives centered on Western achievements.

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