Indian Epigraphy c16.s6.48

c16.s6.48

Both the systems of planting seedlings and of sowing seeds are prevalent in Bengal, the first in some parts and the second in others, though, in certain localities like the Faridpur District, both the practices are followed. It is said that one maund of paddy seeds is required for 3 *Bīghās* for sowing, while seedling of the same weight of paddy require 10 *Bīghās* for transplanting. Seedlings of one *kulya* (12 maunds 32 seers, or 16 maunds) of paddy would thus require 128 *Bīghās* or 160 *Bīghās* of land for plantation. A *Kulyavāpa* would therefore appear to have been originally equal to 128 to 160 *Bīghās*, a *Droṇavāpa* to 16 to 20 *Bīghās*, and an *Āḍhavāpa* to 4 to 5 *Bīghās*. If the original calculation was based on the system of sowing seeds and not of transplanting seedlings, the position would be : 1 *kulyavāpa* = 38 to 48 *Bīghās* ; 1 *Droṇavāpa* = 4½ to 6 *Bīghās*; 1 *Āḍhavāpa* = 1⅛ to 1½ *Bīghās*. The original meaning of the root *vap*, ‘to sow’, seems to support the second alternative.