Aryabhata conceived the earth as a rotating sphere in space, which causes the apparent rising and setting of the sun. Varahamihira disagreed and Brahmagupta derided Aryabhata — but unlike medieval Europe, the intellectual climate in India was free and tolerant of dissent.

On ancient Indian astronomers, as quoted in "Unlike medieval Europe, India's intellectual climate was free and tolerant: Michel Danino", The Times of India (9 February 2015)