About this episode

This episode explores the significance of the number zero and its origins in the Bakhshali manuscript from India.

It’s round. It has a hole in it. It symbolises nothing and yet it is the possibility of something... meet zero. The zero we know and love today is the foundation of our modern world. And we have India to thank for it; in particular one special Indian birch bark book — the Bakhshali manuscript. This is the story of how these fragile pages travelled to Oxford University and what their future looks like. This podcast is a co-production of ABC Australia and CBC Podcasts

Topics covered

• history
• mathematics
• cultural heritage
• India
• zero
• Bakhshali manuscript

Keywords

• zero
• Bakhshali manuscript
• India
• Oxford University
• history
• mathematics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: ABC Australia, CBC

Books & works: Bakhshali manuscript

Places: India, Oxford University

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