Arabic Numerals are Invented in India by the Hindus

Circa 400 BCE
The numerals used in the Bakhshali manuscript, dated to sometime between the 3rd and 7th century CE
The numerals used in the Bakhshali manuscript, dated to sometime between the 3rd and 7th century CE

What we call Arabic numerals were invented in India by the Hindus. Because the Arabs transmitted this system to the West after the Hindu numerical system found its way to Persia, the numeral system became known as Arabic numerals, though Arabs call the numerals they use “Indian numerals”, أرقام هندية, arqam hindiyyah.

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