SRINIVASA RAMANUJAN

The Mathematical Genius of India

Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887–1920) stands among the greatest mathematicians in India’s long and distinguished intellectual tradition, which stretches back more than 2,500 years. His contributions to mathematical sciences were not only pioneering but revolutionary, earning him global recognition despite his short life and limited formal education.

Early Life and Education

Srinivasa Ramanujan was born on December 22, 1887, in Erode, Tamil Nadu. His family later moved to Kumbakonam, where he completed his schooling.

A turning point in Ramanujan’s life came at the age of 15 when he encountered Synopsis of Elementary Results in Pure and Applied Mathematics (1880–86) by George Shoobridge Carr. Written in a concise and open style, the book enabled Ramanujan to teach himself advanced mathematics. From that moment, mathematics became the central focus of his life.

Struggles and Early Career

Despite his extraordinary talent, Ramanujan faced significant hardships in his early years. He remained unemployed for a long period and struggled financially. After his marriage in 1909, the need for a stable income led him to seek employment. Eventually, he secured a clerical position at the Madras Port Trust.

Even while working full-time, Ramanujan continued his intense mathematical research. He explored areas such as Bernoulli numbers, hypergeometric series, elliptic functions, and number theory. He also began posing and solving complex problems in the Indian Mathematical Society journal.

His 1911 research paper on Bernoulli numbers was widely appreciated, establishing his reputation as a mathematical prodigy. Despite lacking a formal university degree, Ramanujan’s originality and brilliance earned him recognition in academic circles.

Collaboration with G. H. Hardy

Ramanujan’s growing reputation led to correspondence with prominent mathematicians in England. One of them, G. H. Hardy, immediately recognized his extraordinary talent.

With a scholarship from the University of Madras, Ramanujan traveled to England in 1914 under a grant from Trinity College, Cambridge. There began one of the most remarkable collaborations in mathematical history between Ramanujan and Hardy.

Despite suffering from persistent health issues, Ramanujan produced groundbreaking research and published papers in leading mathematical journals across Europe.

Achievements and Honors

Ramanujan possessed an instinctive understanding of mathematics. Much of his work was developed independently, though he had limited formal training in rigorous mathematical proofs. While some of his early theorems were later found to be incorrect, his mastery in areas such as number theory and infinite series was considered unparalleled by his contemporaries.

In 1918, Ramanujan achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian elected to the Royal Society. The same year, he was elected a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge—an exceptional honor for any mathematician of his time.

Illness and Untimely Death

Ramanujan’s health deteriorated significantly during his stay in England. In 1917, he contracted tuberculosis. He returned to India in 1919, but despite medical treatment, he passed away on April 26, 1920, in Kumbakonam. He was only 32 years old.

Though his life was brief, the mathematical discoveries of Srinivasa Ramanujan continue to influence modern mathematics, inspiring generations of scholars worldwide.

Srinivasa Ramanujan on Indian Stamps

In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to mathematics and his lasting legacy, India Post issued a definitive stamp honoring Srinivasa Ramanujan. This philatelic tribute celebrates one of India’s greatest intellectual minds and keeps his memory alive for future generations.