Hindu numerals if we have to be precise, transmitted to the west by Arabs

Right, true--the term I've most often heard in Western circles these days is "Hindu-Arabic" numerals, but I didn't want to confuse.

I've also heard the term Western Arabic, contrasted with Eastern Arabic.

...of course. Roman numerals held us back for centuries. Sorry about that embarrassing brainfart.

> Arabic, I think you mean. Arithmetic with Roman numerals is awful.

Hindu numerals, do you mean?

Why Hindu (the religion) and not Hindi (the language)?

I really don't know. It's generally phrased as Hindu-originating - I can only speculate why it's now attached to a religious / social group rather than a language.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Hindu%E2%80%93A...