17th century ‘supercomputer’ up for auction! Millions of bids for rare treasures spark worldwide debate

• The astrolabe is a 17th century brass device known as the ‘ancient supercomputer’.
• The auction price of this rare device can be estimated between ₹15 to ₹25 crore.
• It was used for accurate calculations such as sunrise-sunset time, position of stars and orientation.

Astrolabe, a huge 17th-century astronomical calculating device, one of the most valuable scientific treasures of Jaipur’s royal collection, will be auctioned at London’s Sotheby’s auction house on April 29. This extraordinary device made of brass is hailed by experts as the ‘supercomputer’ and ‘ancient smartphone’ of its time due to its multi-faceted capabilities.

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From a technical and scientific point of view, this device is considered the highest example of craftsmanship of the time. Weighing 8.2 kilograms and about 46 centimeters tall, the device is four times larger than a standard astrolabe. Given its rarity and its association with the royal family, experts estimate that the device could fetch between 1.5 million and 2.5 million pounds (around Rs. 15 to 25 crores). This amount could break all previous world records for astronomical instrument auctions. (Photo courtesy – X, Wikipedia)

Notable features

The most striking feature of this device is its ‘all-inclusive’ nature. Oxford historian Dr. According to Federica Gigate, astronomers in the 17th century used this device to determine the exact time of sunrise and sunset, to find the exact location of springs, and to measure the depth of wells and the height of buildings. In addition, it was also used to determine the direction of Mecca and to prepare accurate horoscopes with the help of almanacs.

Even today it gives accurate calculations

This astrolabe was specially commissioned for the then administrator of Lahore, Agha Afzal. The device has the latitude and longitude of 94 cities, as well as 38 star indices. These records are so accurate even today that the exact height of any celestial affliction can be determined to an exact degree.

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Equipment of Maharani Gayatri Devi

Its historical roots are linked to the private collection of late Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur. After the demise of the Maharaja, the instrument remained for some time with his wife, the world-famous Maharani Gayatri Devi, and eventually became part of a private collection. Now, for the very first time, the device is being made available for public display and auction.