Radhanath Sikdar was an Indian mathematician and surveyor who played a crucial role in the measurement and calculation of the height of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. He was born on October 31, 1813, in the village of Khandakerpara in present-day Bangladesh.
In the mid-19th century, the British authorities in India initiated a project to measure and map the Himalayan mountain range, including determining the exact height of Mount Everest. Radhanath Sikdar, employed as a mathematician and surveyor by the Great Trigonometric Survey of India, was assigned the task of calculating the height of the mountain.
Working under the supervision of Sir George Everest, the Surveyor General of India at the time, Sikdar used trigonometric principles and conducted extensive measurements and calculations to determine the height of Mount Everest. In 1852, he calculated the height to be 29,002 feet (8,840 meters), which was remarkably close to the modern-day measurement of 29,029 feet (8,848 meters).
Sikdar's accurate calculation of Mount Everest's height was a significant achievement in the field of geodesy and cartography. His work contributed to the mapping and understanding of the Himalayan region, and it established Mount Everest as the highest peak in the world.
Despite his remarkable contribution, Radhanath Sikdar's role in the measurement of Mount Everest's height was initially overshadowed by the fame and recognition given to Sir George Everest. However, in recent years, efforts have been made to acknowledge and honor Sikdar's contribution to the landmark measurement.
Radhanath Sikdar passed away on May 17, 1870, leaving behind a legacy of scientific achievement and accurate measurement. His work continues to be celebrated as a significant milestone in the understanding of Earth's geography and the exploration of the Himalayas.
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