Indian weights and measures.docx

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Indian weights and measuresFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Before theintroduction of the Metric system, one may divide the history of Indian systems of measurementinto three main periods: the pre-Akbar period, the period of the Akbar system, and the British colonial

period.

During pre-Akbar period, weights and measure system varied from region to region, commodity to

commodity, and rural to urban areas. The weights were based on the weight of various seeds (specially the

wheat berry and Ratti) and lengths were based on the length of arms and width of fingers.Akbarrealized aneed for a uniform system. He elected the barley corn. Unfortunately, this did not replace the existingsystem. Instead, it just added another system.

British entered India as traders. They acceptedbarleycornas a unit 'grain' for weighing gold. They mintedcoins using wheat berry as the standard. Eventually, British introduced their own system for weighing gold

(Troy ounce), commodities (Pound/Cwt/Ton). Now, the roads had Furlong and Mile markers. In 1939,

Government of India passed the Standards of Weights Act, that came into effect in 1942. This

allowedTola/Seer/Maund system to coexist with Pound/Cwt/Ton system.

In 1941, the Punjab Weight and Measures act provided a sense of uniformity. In 1956, Government of India

passed a Standards of Weights and Measures system to introduce metric system based on Punjab Act.

The metric would begin in October 1958, making metric weight mandatory by October 1960, and the metric

measures mandatory by April 1962.

Contents

[hide]

1Current Conversion Standard 2Pre Akbar System 3Akbar Weights and Measures 4Weights before 1833 5British System 6References 7Notes 8External links

Current Conversion Standard[edit]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrication_in_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrication_in_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrication_in_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akbarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akbarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akbarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_rule_in_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_rule_in_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barleycorn_(unit)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barleycorn_(unit)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barleycorn_(unit)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tola_(unit)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tola_(unit)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tola_(unit)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measureshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measureshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measureshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Current_Conversion_Standardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Current_Conversion_Standardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Current_Conversion_Standardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Current_Conversion_Standardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Pre_Akbar_Systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Pre_Akbar_Systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Pre_Akbar_Systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Pre_Akbar_Systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Akbar_Weights_and_Measureshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Akbar_Weights_and_Measureshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Akbar_Weights_and_Measureshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Akbar_Weights_and_Measureshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Weights_before_1833http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Weights_before_1833http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Weights_before_1833http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Weights_before_1833http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#British_Systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#British_Systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#British_Systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#British_Systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Noteshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Noteshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Noteshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Noteshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#External_linkshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#External_linkshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#External_linkshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#External_linkshttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Indian_weights_and_measures&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Indian_weights_and_measures&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Indian_weights_and_measures&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Indian_weights_and_measures&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#External_linkshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Noteshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#British_Systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Weights_before_1833http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Akbar_Weights_and_Measureshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Pre_Akbar_Systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures#Current_Conversion_Standardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measureshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tola_(unit)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barleycorn_(unit)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_rule_in_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akbarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrication_in_India


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In 1956, for metric conversion, the Government of India defined the Standards of Weights and Measures

Act (No. 89 of 1956, amended 1960, 1964) as follows:

Indian System British / troy System Metric System

1 Tol 0.375 t oz 11.66375 g

1 Sr (80 Tol) 2.5 t lb 2.057lb 2 lb 1 oz 0.93310 kg

1 Maund (40 Sr) 100 troy lb 37.324 kg

The current definitions as per the UN are:

Indian System Metric System

1 Tol 11.664 g

1 Sr (80 Tol) 933.10 g

1 Maund (40 Sr) 37.324 kg

Pre Akbar System[edit]

These are the weights and measures popular in North India before the adoption of the metric system.

There were different systems in Bengal, the Presidency of Madras, and Bombay. The following

nomenclature was prevalent in North India till the metric system came in:-

4Chawal(grain of rice) = 1 Dhan (weight of one wheat berry)4 Dhan = 1 Ratti (Ratti is the seed of the 'Abrus precatorius'. It is a red seed with a black spot at one end.

Abul Fazl refers to it as 'Surkh' in Ain-i-Akbari.).

8 Ratti = 1 Masha

12 Masha (96 Ratti) = 1 Tola

24 Ratti (96 Dhan) = 1 Tak

Conversion

1 Tola = 11.66375 gram

3.75Troy ounce= 10 Tola
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Weight of 64 Dhan (Wheat berries) = Weight of 45 Jau (Barley corns)

Weight of 1 Barley corn = 64.79891 milligrams

Commod ity Weight System

1 Tola = 4 Siki 1 Kancha = 5 Siki 1 Chhatank = 4 Kancha 1 Chattank = 5 Tola 1 Adh-pav = 2 Chhatank =

1/8 Seer 1 Pav = 2 Adh-pav = Seer (Pav means ) 1 Adher = 2 Pav = Seer

In Hindi Seer = Adha () Seer, or Adher 1 Ser = 2 Adher = 4 Pav = 16 Chattank = 80 Tola =

933.1grams 1 Savaser = 1 Ser + 1 Pav (1 Seer) 1 Savasher weighed 100 Imperial rupeesIn Hindi 1 Seer = Sava (1) Seer, or Savaser 1 Dhaser = 2 Savaser = 2 Seer

In Hindi 2 Seer = Dhai (2) Seer, or Dhaser 1 Paseri = 2 Adisari = 5 Seer

In Hindi 5 Seer = Panch(5) Seer, or Paseri for short 1 Daseri = 2 Pasri = 10 Seer

In Hindi 10 Seer = Das(10) Seer, or Daseri for short 1 Maund = 4 Daseri = 8 Pasri = 40 Seer

Rice and Grains Volume Measures

Grains were not weighed. Special hour-glass shaped measure were used to determine the volume.

Smallest unit = 1 Nilve

2 Nilve = 1 Kolve

2 Kolve = 1 Chipte

2 Chipte = 1 Mapte

2 Mapte = 1 Ser

Liquid Volume Measures

These were hour glass shaped measure used for Milk, Ghee, Oils. The bottom was round like an inverted

dome, the top was like flared rim. This shape helped in pouring the liquids.

4 Chhatank = 1 Pav

4 Pav = 1 Seer

40 Seer = 1 Maund

Length Measure

Measure of length is Gaz. To interpret Gaz, depends on what you are measuring and where you are.Bengal: 36", Bombay: 27", Madras: 33", Government Average: 33". The hand measurements were used.


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Anguli (width of 3 fingers) = 1 Girah

8 Girah = 1 Hath (elbow to the end of the middle finger, approximately 18" )

5 5/6 Hath = One Kathi

20 Kathi = One Pand

20 Pand = One Begah

2 Hath = 1 Gaz

3 Gaz = Two Karam

3 Karams = 1 Kan

3 Square Kans = 1 Marla

20 Marlas = 1 Kanal

8 Kanals = 1 Ghamaon

9 Kanals 12 Marlas = 1 Acre

4 Kanals = 1 Begah

Akbar Weights and Measures[edit]

Akbar standardized weights and measurements using abarleycorn (Jau). For weights, he used the weightof a

Jau, while the width of a

Jau

set the standard for length.

1. Length: Ilahi Gaz (33" to 34"); 1 Gaz = 16 Grehs; 1 Greh = 2 pais

At the time ofShah Jahanthere existed three different Gaz:[1]a)Shahi gaz= 101.6cm; b)ShahijahaniorLashkari= 95.85cm; c) Aleppogaz= 67.73cm2. Commodity weight: Ser = 637.74 grams

3. Commodity Spices: TheDamwas a copper coin used as a weight as well as currency. 1 Dam = 20grams

4. Gold and Expensive Spices: Misqal = 6.22 grams

Weights before 1833[edit]

8 ratts = 1 msh (= 0.9071856gram)12 mshs = 1 tol (= 10.886227gram)80 tolas = 1 ser (= 870.89816gram)40 sers = 1 maund (= 34.835926 kilogram)

1 ratt = 1.75 grains (= 0.11339825gram) (1 grain = 0.064799gram)
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From 1833 the rupee and tol weight was fixed at 180 grains, i.e. 11.66382grams. Hence the weight of 1maund increased to 37.324224 kilogram. .

[2]Traditionally one maund represented the weight unit for goodswhich could be carried over some distance by porters or pack animals.

British System[edit]Weight Gold

British used weight of wheat berries as a standard to make currency coins. British chose Barley corn to

weigh gold same as Akbar.

One Troy ounce = 480 Barley corn

1 Troy Ounce = 120 carat

1 Troy pound = 12 Troy ounce

In 1878, the Troy Pound was abolished.

Conversions

Weight of 1 Barley corn = 64.79891 milligram

Weight of 1 Wheat berry = 45.561732 milligram

One Troy Ounce = 31.1034768 gram

64 Wheat berries = 45 Barley corns

3.75 Troy ounce = 10 Tola

Commod ity weight

20 CWT = 1 Ton avoirdupois = 40 Bushel = 160 Stones

4 Stones = 1 Bushel = 56 Pound

1 hundredweight (cwt) = 112 Pound = 2 Bushel + 8 Stones

14 Pounds avoirdupois = 1 Stone avoirdupois

16 Ounces avoirdupois = 1 Pound avoirdupois

Conversion

1 Ounce avoirdupois = 28.349523 gram approx.

1 Pound avoirdupois = 453.59237 gram

1 Ton avoirdupois = 2240 pounds avoirdupois

Weight of 1 Barley corn = 64.79891 milligram

One Troy Ounce = 31.1034768 gram

3.75 Troy ounce = 10 Tola

Length

In 1950s, Miles andFurlongswere common markers on the roads in India.Minimum length = 1 Inch

No-one can say how it evolved.Yinchwas the thickness of the thumb, not quite one inch.
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12 Inches = 1 Foot

3 Feet = 1 Yard

660 Feet = 1 Furlong

5,280 Feet = 1 Mile

1,760 Yards = 1 Mile

1 Mile = 8 Furlongs

22 Yards = 1 Chain

1 Acre = (1 Chain) x (1 Furlong)

Conversion

1 Inch = Span of 6 Barley corns side by side by thickness, although barleycorns are not a reliable standard

of measurement.

1 Inch = 2.54 centimeters

1 Foot = 30.48cm1 Yard = 0.914 meter

1 Mile = 1.61 Kilometer

References[edit]

1. Jump up^Levon Khachikian: "The Ledger of the Merchant Hovhannes Joughayetsi".Journal of theAsiatic Society, vol. 8, no. 3, 1966, p. 182

2. Jump up^Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and KindredTerms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive by Col. Henry Yule and A.C. Burnell,

Originally published 1903, Reprint, 1968

Prinsep, James (edited by Edward Thomas):Essays on Indian Antqities, Historic, Numismatic, andPalaeographic, of the late James Prinsep, F.R.S., to which are added his Useful Tables illustrative of

Indian History, Chronology, Modern Coinages, Weights, Measures etc. Two Volumes, Reprint,Indological Book House, Delhi and Varanasi, 1971. Originally published in London, 1858.
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