17th Century 'supercomputer' once owned by Indian royalty sells for record in auction
A 17th-century astrolabe (astronomical computer) once owned by Indian royalty sold for a record price at auction. Possibly the world's largest, it was first publicly exhibited. The sale highlights the high value of historic scientific instruments and India's cultural heritage.
A 17th-century astrolabe from Indian royal collection sold at international auction for record price. The astrolabe, an instrument for measuring celestial bodies and performing astronomical calculations, can be considered the 'supercomputer' of its era. The example sold is among the world's largest known specimens. The sale demonstrates high international market value for Indian cultural and scientific heritage. Collectors and museums increasingly pay premium prices for historic scientific instruments. The auction also reveals that India's role in science and technology history is underrecognized globally. Indian cultural and heritage institutions work to prevent export of similar historic objects, yet auctions demonstrate how valuable these pieces are in international markets. India's government may need stronger policies balancing national heritage preservation with international trade.
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