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The Hindu–Arabic numeral system is one of humanity’s greatest achievements. Comprising nine digits (1–9) and the zero, combined with place value, it revolutionized mathematics and became the foundation for advances in astronomy, engineering, medicine, and technology. Without it, there would be no computers, space travel, or modern science.

Before its arrival, Europeans relied on cumbersome Roman numerals. Around the 6th–7th century CE, Indian scholars, most notably Brahmagupta, introduced the concept of zero as a placeholder. In the Abbasid era, Baghdad became the hub of scientific exchange, and Persian mathematician Al-Khwarizmi played a decisive role in spreading these numbers to the Islamic world and then to Europe.

Despite initial resistance, Fibonacci’s Liber Abaci (1202) highlighted their power in commerce and science. The printing press in the 15th century accelerated their adoption, and by the mid-16th century, Roman numerals had virtually disappeared from daily use.

Modern civilization—from engineering to computers—rests upon this remarkable system. In Iran, Persian numerals (۰۱۲۳۴۵۶۷۸۹) with shared Indian roots remain an essential part of our written identity.

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• Tags
• #Journey
• #Numbers
• #India
• #Modern World