A recent discovery at the Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh, has unveiled India's earliest reference to Halley's comet in a 15th-century Vijayanagara copper plate inscription dated June 28, 1456 CE. This remarkable finding sheds light on the advanced astronomical knowledge of ancient Indians.

Astronomical Alignment with Halley's Comet

The copper plate documents a land grant by King Mallikarjuna to a Vedic scholar and includes a mention of a celestial object believed to be Halley's comet. The inscription date corresponds to the sighting of the comet in the summer of 1456, a significant event recorded across Europe and Asia.

Context and Significance

The inscription, written in classical Telugu with Sanskrit, highlights the importance of astronomical phenomena in formal documents. This discovery marks the earliest epigraphic reference to Halley's comet in India, showcasing the meticulous record-keeping practices of the Vijayanagara era.

This finding not only enriches India's scientific and historical archives but also offers insights into the social, political, and astronomical aspects of the 15th century. It suggests that medieval scholars had a sophisticated understanding of cometary cycles and underscores the advanced astronomical knowledge of ancient Indians.