India, April 23 -- A new Class 9 mathematics textbook by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) calls the Sindhu-Sarasvati civilisation the first systematic use of grid-based thinking, says Ujjayini (Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh) marked the central longitude meridian in the ancient world, and credits the Rigveda for setting the stage for the modern number system.

The 196-page textbook titled Ganita Manjari Part 1 - which prominently features ancient mathematics techniques and the work of several ancient Indian scholars - was released on Tuesday.

The earlier book only made limited references to ancient India. But the new book extensively integrates Indian Knowledge System (IKS) and opens with a verse from Vedanga J...