Indian
measurement system
Contents
a)
Indian measurement system in the ancient period
b)
Indian measurement system in the medieval period
c)
Indian measurement system during British period
a)
Indian measurement system in the ancient period
Measurement
plays an important role in our lives. We have been using
measurement right from the pre-historic time. Let us have
a brief look into the historical development of measurement
system in India. In ancient periods, the lengths of the
shadows of trees or other objects were used to know the
approximate time of the day. Long time durations were expressed
in terms of the lunar cycles, which even now is the basis
of some calendars. In India, excellent examples of measurement
practices in different historic periods are available. Our
ancient literature reveals that in India different types
of measurement practices were followed in different periods.
For example, about 5000 years ago in the ‘Mohenjodaro
era’, the size of bricks all over the region was same.
The length, breadth and width of bricks were taken as a
standard and were always in ratios of 4:2:1.
Similarly
around 2400 years ago during the Chandragupta Maurya period
there was a well-defined system of weights and measures.
The government at that time ensured that everybody used
the same weights and measures. According to this system,
the smallest unit of length was 1 Parmanu. Small lengths
were measured in anguls. For long distances Yojana was used.
One yojana is roughly equal to 10 kilometres.
The Indian medicine system, Ayurveda, also had well-defined
units for the measurement of the mass and volume. The measurement
system was strongly followed to ensure the proper quantity
of medicine for particular disease.
Different
units of measurements used in the period of Chandragupta
Maurya
| 8
Parmanus |
=
1 Rajahkan (dust particle from the wheel of a chariot) |
| 8
Rajahkans |
=
1 Liksha (egg of lice) |
| 8
Likshas |
=
1 Yookamadhya |
| 8
Yookamadhyas |
=
1 Yavamadhya |
| 8
Yavamadhyas |
=
1 Angul |
| 8
Anguls |
=
1 Dhanurmushti |
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b)
Indian measurement system in the medieval period
In
the medieval period also the measurement system was in practice.
As described in Ain-i-Akbari by Abul Fazl-i-Allami, during
the period of Moghul Emperor Akbar, the gaz was used as
the unit of measuring length. Each gaz was divided into
24 equal parts and each part was called Tassuj. This system
was extensively used to measure land pieces, for construction
of buildings, houses, wells, gardens and roads. You should
know that, the gaz was widely used as a unit of length till
the metric system was introduced in 1956. Even today in
many parts of our country, particularly in the rural areas,
gaz is being used as a unit of length.
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c)
Indian measurement system during British period
In
order to bring about uniformity in the system of measurement
and the weights used, a number of efforts were made during
the British period. The British rulers wanted to connect
Indian weights and measures to those being used in Great
Britain at that time. During this period the inch, foot,
and yard were used to measure length whereas grain, ounce,
pounds, etc. were used to measure mass. These units and
weights were used in India till the time of Independence
in 1947. The essential units of mass used in India included
Ratti, Masha, Tola, Chhatank, Seer and Maund. Raatti is
a red seed whose mass is approximately 120 mg. It was widely
used by goldsmiths and by practitioners of traditional medicine
system in India.
Relation
between various units of mass used during the British period
| 8
Ratti |
=
1 Masha |
| 12
Masha |
=
1 Tola |
| 5
Tola |
=
1 Chhatank |
| 16
Chhatank |
=
1 Seer |
| 40
Seer |
=
1 Maund |
| 1
Maund |
=
100 Pounds troy (exact) |
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