Historical Perspective on Jesuits' Contribution to Astronomy: From Rachol and Beyond

Humans, from time immemorial have marveled at and tried  to comprehend the mystery of the vast celestial cosmos.  Even the cosmic elements were put in his own service such  as to predict weather for cultivation purpose, for navigational needs or even to know his own relation with the cosmos. This relentless effort to unravel and understand the ‘book of nature’ over the years evolved into a scientific discipline called  astronomy. The invention of telescope in 1609 by Galileo  Galilei brought revolutionary changes in our understanding of the universe. College of Rachol, the Rachol Seminary of today, St. Paul’s College (Old Goa) and the island of Divar played very important role in the birth of the telescopic astronomy in India. Hence, the first use of this telescope in India is credited to Goa. Thanks to Ramesh Kapoor for bringing to light the importance of this event.  To understand this unique contribution we will first consider Indian astronomy in antiquity. Next, we shall study Jesuit engagement with science and its first use of telescope in Goa. Following we shall try to understand the revolution it produced in India through Jesuit engagement with astronomy and close with some remarks about faith and astronomy.