Ummm ... the Babylonians invented the place-value system and notation for zero, not the Hindus, and the Hindus took the modern use of zero from Alexander's Greek astronomers, who were already then using it. As to the utility of the whole system, consider that the great works of Greek mathematics were done in an entirely geometrical manner, as were the civil works of the Romans, while modern computers use binary.
No I don't see how this has any relevance tot he general state of education in India prior to the British colonialization.
Hogwash.
| Devanagari Numeral |
Arabic/Western Numeral |
Sanskrit word for the numeral |
|---|---|---|
| ० | [[0 (number)|0]] | shuunyaha |
| १ | [[1 (number)|1]] | ekaha |
| २ | [[2 (number)|2]] | dwitiyaha |
| ३ | [[3 (number)|3]] | tritityaha |
| ४ | [[4 (number)|4]] | chaturaha |
| ५ | [[5 (number)|5]] | panchaha |
| ६ | [[6 (number)|6]] | shashtihi |
| ७ | [[7 (number)|7]] | sapthami |
| ८ | [[8 (number)|8]] | ashtaha |
| ९ | [[9 (number)|9]] | navaha |
The Indian place-system numerals spread to neighboring Persia, where they were picked up by the conquering Arabs. In 662, a Nestorian bishop living in what is now called Iraq said :
I will omit all discussion of the science of the Indians ... of their subtle discoveries in astronomy - discoveries that are more ingenious than those of the Greeks and the Babylonians - and of their valuable methods of calculation which surpass description. I wish only to say that this computation is done by means of nine signs. If those who believe that because they speak Greek they have arrived at the limits of science would read the Indian texts they would be convinced even if a little late in the day that there are others who know something of value.
The addition of zero as a tenth positional digit is documented from the 7th century by Brahmagupta, though the earlier Bakhshali Manuscript, written sometime before the 5th century, also included zero.
As it was from the Arabs that the Europeans learnt this system, the Europeans called them Arabic numerals; ironically, to this day the Arabs refer to their numerals as Indian numerals. In academic circles they are called the Hindu-Arabic or Indo-Arabic numerals.