A History of Assam c14.72

c14.72

∗ In a copper-plate deed of grant of 1661 Sak (1739 A.D.) the prices of various commodities are quoted, viz., rice 2-1|5 annas per maund; milk, 2½ annas; gram, 4 annas; salt and oil, 4½ annas; gur, 1¼ annas, and black pepper, Rs. 20 per maund. Betel leaf was sold at 40 bundles for an anna, earthen pots or kalsis at 643 per rupee and areca nuts at 5,120 per rupee. In other similar records of the same period, the price of rice is quoted at 4 annas per maund; gur, Rs. 2½; matikalai, 5 annas; pulse and ghi, 10 annas, and oil, Rs. 3-1|3 per maund. Elsewhere again rice is priced at 8 annas and matikalai at 10 annas per maund; earthen pots at a rupee for 224 and betel leaf at an anna for 20 bundles of 20 leaves each. Amongst other articles of which prices are given may be mentioned goats, Re. 1 each; ducks, 1 anna each; pigeons, 1 pice; dhutis, 5 annas, and gāmchas, 6 pice each. The price of salt appears to have ranged from 5 to 10 rupees per maund; it stood at the latter figure in Captain Welsh's time.