Jai Singh

Jai Singh II, a mathematician, astronomer, and king, was passionate about science and knowledge. He began ruling at age 11 and believed he was descended from the sun. To explore the heavens, he built large observatories, including the Samrat Yantra in Jaipur, the world's largest sundial. Jai Singh understood that larger instruments provided more accurate measurements, allowing his sundial to measure time to within 2 seconds. This advancement enabled precise predictions of eclipses and monsoons, cementing his legacy in astronomy and engineering.

What was Jai Singh the Second's primary motivation for exploring astronomy?

• To compete with European scientists

• To unravel the mysteries of the heavens

• To enhance his kingdom's wealth

• To prove his divine descent

Why did Jai Singh build the Samrat Yantra on such a large scale?

• To use it as a royal sundial

• To compete with other Indian kings

• To increase the length of the shadow for better accuracy

• To make it a tourist attraction

How does the Samrat Yantra measure time with its shadow?

• By reflecting sunlight

• By using a digital clock

• By casting a shadow that moves 3.6 meters every hour

• By using a pendulum

What level of time accuracy does the Samrat Yantra achieve?

• Around 2 hours

• Around 2 milliseconds

• Around 2 seconds

• Around 2 minutes

What was a significant benefit of the Samrat Yantra's accuracy in the 18th century?

• It helped in predicting eclipses and monsoons

• It was used to calculate taxes

• It served as a decorative piece

• It was used for navigation at sea