Did the ancient Indians know about the existence of Antarctica?

First, we need to understand what the Hindu view of the Earth is.
Now I’ll largely be quoting from Alberuni’s India as it is his work where I first
came across this.
“We begin with the description of this mountain (Mount Meru), since it is the
centre of the Dvipas and seas, and, at the same time, the centre of Jambudvipa.
(Which is used to refer to Greater India in most ancient Indian sources).” There
are several opinions on the position and size of Meru, some describe this mountain
as rising above the surface of the earth to an excessive height. It is situated
under the pole, and the stars revolve round its foot, so that rising and setting
depends upon Meru. -Chapter 23 This is according to Brahmagupta.
Meanwhile Aryabhata is inclined to think that it has only the height of one yojana
which in his time referred to about 8km and the height is 86,000 yojana according
to the matysa Purana.
“According to them, heaven as well of the earth, as the whole world is round, and
the earth has a and globular shape, the northern half being dry land, the southern
half being covered with water. The dimension of the earth is larger according to
them than it is according to the Greeks and modern (11th century) observations, and
in their calculations to find this dimension they have entirely given up any
mention of the traditional seas and Dvipas, and of the enormous sums of yojana
attributed to each of them.” Chapter 26
I’m sure you can see how many contradictions and inconsistences there are in the
description of Meru and the world in general.
Further on he says “The astronomers follow the theologians in everything which does
not encroach upon their science, e.g., they adopt the theory of Mount Meru being
under the north pole, and that of the island Vadavamukha lying under the south
pole.”
Now this Vadavamukha which is mentioned as an island lying under the south pole is
the main subject of this video.
"The position of the earth is central. Half of it is clay, half water. Mount Meru
is in the dry half, the home of the Deva, the angels, and above it is the pole. In
the other half, which is covered by water, lies Vadavamukha, under the south pole,
a continent like an island, inhabited by the Daitya and Naga, relatives of the Deva
on Meru. Therefore, it is also called Daityantara. The line which divides the two
earth-halves, the dry and the wet, from each other, is called Niraksha, i.e.,
having no latitude, being identical with our equator.” In another place he says
“The day of the angels who inhabit Meru lasts six months, and their night also six
months." Which again is similar to how it is at the poles.
I’m sure you can see the similarities.
“for the earth is more heavy than the water, and the water is fluid like the air.
The globular form must be to the earth a physical necessity, as long as it does
not, by the order of God, take another form. … As far as our observation, based on
induction, goes, the terra firma (dry land) must be in one of the two northern
quarters, and therefore we guess that the same is the case on the adjacent quarter.
We admit the possibility of the existence of the island Vadavamukha, but we do not
maintain it, since all we know of it and of Meru is exclusively based on
tradition.” Chapter 31
Now according to The Samhita of Varahamihira, The names of the countries in the
south west is: Kamboja, Sindh, Sauvira, i.e., Multan and Jahravar, Vadavamukha,
Aravambasbtba, Kapila, Parasava, i.e. the Persians, Siidra, Barbara, Kiiata,
Khanda, Kravya, Abhira, Cancuka, Hemagiri, Sindhu, Kalaka, Raivataka, Siirashtra,
Badara, Dramicla, Maharnava, Narimukba, i.e. men with women's faces, i.e. the
Turks, Anarta, Phenagiri, Yavana, i.e. the Greeks, Maraka, Karnapra- varana.
Over here Vadavamukha is mentioned as being in the same direction as the Persians,
Turks and the Greeks which adds even more confusion.
The Europeans also had similar theories regarding a southern land, Ptolemy (2nd
century AD) believed that the Indian Ocean was enclosed on the south by land, and
that the lands of the Northern Hemisphere should be balanced by land in the south.
Legends of Terra Australis Incognita—an "unknown land of the South"—are also
present.
Now of course I’m not saying that ancient Indians knew exactly what we know about
Antarctica today and but it is still interesting to examine the theories they had
regarding the existence of some land in the south.