The measurement of time is an essential aspect of human civilization, and it has evolved through various cultures and civilizations over millennia. Interestingly, one of the fundamental aspects of timekeeping, the distinction between AM (Ante Meridiem) and PM (Post Meridiem), can trace its origins back to ancient India. This lesser-known fact highlights the significant contributions of Indian culture to the global understanding of time.
AM and PM are used to denote time and originated from the ancient Indian clock system. The ancient Indian clock system, also known as the Hindu Panchang, divided the day into four or eight hours. The counting of the first eight hours started from noon (pratham kaal to eight o'clock) and then continued from noon to eight o'clock (pradosh kaal). After that, the count of eight hours was from midday till dawn.
In ancient India, the concept of time was deeply intertwined with the Hindu cosmological and philosophical beliefs. Time was seen as a cyclical phenomenon, with the universe going through infinite cycles of creation, sustenance, and dissolution. This concept of time was vastly different from the linear perception of time in many other cultures.
The division of the day into different parts was a common practice in various ancient cultures, but the specific use of "AM" and "PM" to denote before and after noon finds its origin in India. In the traditional Indian timekeeping system, the day was divided into eight "praharas," each comprising three hours. The division of praharas provided a precise way to measure time, and it is from this system that the terms AM and PM emerged.
In the Indian timekeeping system, the first prahara of the day starts at sunrise, which is considered a natural starting point. This corresponds to what we now refer to as "AM" or "Ante Meridiem," meaning "before noon." The second prahara continues through the morning hours, and so on until the eighth prahara, which ends at the next sunrise.
The Afternoon praharas, or what we now know as "PM" or "Post Meridiem," indicate the hours following noon. This division allowed for a clear demarcation of the time of day, aiding various activities such as religious rituals, astronomical observations, and daily routines.
As trade routes and cultural exchanges expanded, Indian mathematical and astronomical knowledge spread to other parts of the world, including the Middle East, which subsequently influenced the Western understanding of time. Although the terminology used to denote before and after noon has Latin roots, the underlying concept of dividing the day into AM and PM has its origins in the ancient Indian timekeeping system.
The rich history of timekeeping in India reveals a deep connection between culture, philosophy, and the measurement of time. The concept of AM and PM, integral to our daily lives, is a remarkable reminder of the contributions of ancient Indian civilization to the global understanding of time. Recognizing this legacy sheds light on the importance of cultural exchange and the shared human quest for order and understanding in the face of the ever-flowing river of time.