Indian Epigraphy c16.s6.36

c16.s6.36

According to the Paharpur plate of 479 A.D., 4 *Āḍhavāpas* made 1 *Droṇavāpa*, and 8 *Droṇavāpas* made 1 *Kulyavāpa*.⁴ Since the introduction of the unit of measurement called *Bīghā* (usually 80 × 80 square cubits, i.e. about ⅓ of an acre) in the medieval period, this land measure with its subdivisions has gradually ousted the older units and denominations from many parts of Bengal. But the *Kulavāy* (ancient *Kulyavāpa*), *Doṇ* (ancient *Droṇavāpa*) and *Āḍhā* (ancient *Āḍhavāpa*) are still locally known in the eastern regions of undivided Bengal and the adjoining western districts of Assam. It is however unfortunate that all the three denominations are not prevalent in the same locality, that the old relation of 1 *Kulyavāpa* = 8 *Droṇavāpas* = 32 *Āḍhavāpas* is totally forgotten, and that the *Doṇ* (*Droṇavāpa*) which is prevalent in various places is different in area in different localities.⁵ Apparently the area of all of them has changed in the course of time, especially owing to the difference introduced in different areas and ages in the length of the cubit and the measuring rod. Attention in this connection may be drawn to an early tradition regarding the practice of using a rod 4 cubits long for oridinary measurement but that of the length of 8 cubits for measuring Brahmadeya lands (i.e. rent-free lands granted to the Brāhmaṇas).¹