Mysore and Coorg from the Inscriptions c10.18

c10.18

In revenue matters the measurement and assessment of the land were naturally of the first importance. The Sātakarṇi grant of the second century is addressed to the *rajjukam* (Sk 263), which, as previously stated (p. 15 above), literally means holder of the rope, that is, a survey officer. The *rajjukas* were originally appointed long before, by Aśōka, but perhaps for other purposes. The *prāku-pramāṇa* or ancient measurement is referred to in 1513 (Nj 195). The instrument used for the purpose was generally a pole, of which different ones are mentioned. There was the *bhēruṇḍa* pole (Sk 120), taken perhaps from the Bhēruṇḍēśvara pillar; the *dāya* pole of 18½ feet, the distance between the central pillars of the Aghōrēśvara temple at Ikkēri; the pole of 18 spans, each of 12 fingers breadth (Mb 49); and so on. Poles of 36 steps and 48 steps are also referred to (Ak 12, 13), and an *oṭṭōla* pole (Ci 64). The assessment is said, under the Chōlas in 1046 (Dv 75), to be one-sixth of the produce, and this was the recognised Hindu rate from the earliest times (see vol. ii, Introd. p. 4). But a quarter of a century later is described.