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History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c38.s2: Weight

History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c38.s2

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English

Contents

Weight

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The units are usually based on natural elements or phenomenon. What about weight? These are mostly represented by the weight of an object like, a seed (māṣa or guñja) or a piece of metal. If the objects are lost, the very basis of a system is lost. The fact was not possibly unknown to the ancient Indians. There is enough hint in the Arthaśāstra that the weight of māṣa (Phraseolus Radiatus) was standardized with volume of one aṅgula of water. Whether this māṣa of ancient India has any connection with mass of CGS system is a matter of great interest and still to be investigated.

Primary sources

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The archaeological sites of Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Chanhudaro and Lothal bear testimony that weighing balances were known. It consisted of a metallic beam (copper or bronze) with two suspending pans from its two ends (Mackey, 1938, pp.976-77; Mackey, 1976, pp.178, 293; Vat, 1940, pt.CXVII and CXVIII; Marshall 1931). Berriman (1953, pp.33-35) has analysed 288 specimens of small cubes available from Mohenjodaro and Harappa and drawn a frequency chart as parts of 1 unicia = 27.2 gms. These weights are 1.7, 3.4, 6.8, 13.6, 27.2, 54.4, 136 (gms) etc. The beams of weighing balance were uniform, sometimes thicker in the middle and tapering at the end. The beam had no fulcrum hole in the centre. A string was perhaps tied at the middle for holding it during weighing. The pans had two or three holes for suspension. Pans with two holes were possibly used for bulky materials which one could hold by touching it, whereas pans with three holes were used for weighing grains and commodities. The Mohenjodaro had two types, one similar to Harappan types and the other is of smaller type (scale pans of copper or bronze). The Chanhudaro and Lothal sites have also small pan and beam types. These smaller types were perhaps used for weighing gold dust and other precious metals, for these could weigh micro-weights (Sharma and Bhardwaj, 1989).

v1.c38.s2.t1.2

The Ancient Indian names for balance was *tulā*. The *Vājasaneyī Saṃhitā* (30.17), *Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa* (2.2.7.33), *Vasiṣṭha Dharmasūtra* (19.18.23) and *Aṣṭādhyāyī* of Pāṇini (4.4.51) bear testimony that equal arm balance of different sizes were used (Agrawal, 1953, p.251). The Vedic literature have used measuring units viz. *kṛṣṇala, aṇḍaka, māṣa, śana, suvarṇa* (TS. 2.3.2.1; Mait S. 2.2.2; Kat. Sr. 11.4; *T Br.* 1.3.6.7 etc.). *Māṣa* is a standard kind of seed (*Phraseolus Radiatus*). The weight can vary in different atmospheric conditions. Then how is it that such seed have been used. Dongre believes² that it is possibly standardized to be equal to volume one *angula* of water i.e. 1 *māṣa* = (1.04167 cm)³ = 1.13 gms for it fits very well with other measures. The vedic units are as follows:

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1 *māṣa* = 4 *aṇḍakas* = 5 *kṛṣṇalas* = 1.13 gms ;

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4 *māṣas* = 1 *śana* = 4.52 gms; 4 *śanas* = 1 *suvarṇa* or

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1 *karṣa* = 18.08 gms;

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4 *suvarṇas* = 1 *niṣka* = 72.32 gms.

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Obviously one *aṇḍaka* = 1/4 *māṣa* = 0.28 gms; one *kṛṣṇala* =

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1/5 *māṣa* = 0.226 gms.

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The *kṛṣṇala* (*Guñja, Ratikā*), the black-and-red berry of the shrub (*Abrus Precatorius*) was used as a natural measure (Seal, pp.80- 85).

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The *Arthaśāstra* of Kauṭilya gives a detail description as to the varieties of balances, measures to check the inaccuracy of balances, methods of state control of weights under the superintendent of weights and measures (*Paṇtādhyakṣa*). The coins were also struck in gold, silver and copper in accurate weights besides commercial activities of ornaments and commodities. Strict steps were taken to avoid debasement of currency metals. The dust currency of gold and silver (*cūrṇi* or *cūrṇa*) were also in vouge. The accurate weights were considered important for all these activities.

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Kauṭilya’s *Arthaśāstra* gives a series of weight measures (Shamasastry, Eng. tr. 1956, pp.113-132) as follows:

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*Gold weight:* 5 *guñjās* (*Abrus Precatorius*) = 1 *suvarṇa māṣa* = 1.13 gms;

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16 *suvarṇa māṣas* = 1 *suvarṇa pala* or *karṣa* = 18.08 gms.

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*Suvarṇa* series as given by *Arthaśāstra* are:

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*Ardhamāṣa* (=0.56 gms), 1 *māṣa* (=1.13 gms), 2 *māṣas* (=2.26 gms),

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4 *māṣas* (=4.52 gms), 8 *māṣas* (=9.04 gms), 16 *māṣas* (=1 *suvarṇa pala* = 1 *karṣa* = 1 *bisto* = 1 *akṣa*, = 18.08 gms), 2 *suvarṇa palas* (= 36.16 gms) and so on.

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Kauṭilya states, “The increase in density (*gaurava vṛddhi*) is increase in matter or price (*satva*) for all metals of equal volumes”³. The densities of gold, silver, copper and iron are 19.3, 10.5, 8.96 and 7.86 respectively, obviously for equal volumes of these metals, silver or copper is 2 times of gold weight and iron is 2.5 times or 3 times of gold weight, i.e.

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1 silver pala = 1 copper pala = 2 suvarṇa pala = 2 × 16 = 32 māṣas = 32 × 1.13 gms = 36.16 gms. = 36.00 gms (approx.)

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1 Iron pala = 2.5 suvarṇa pala = 2.5 × 16 māṣa = 40 māṣas = 40 × 1.13 gms = 4520 gms or = 3 suvarṇa pala = 3 × 1.6 māṣas = 48 māṣas = 48 × 1.13 gms = 54.24 gms

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Silver units of Kauṭilya are:

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88 mastered seeds = 1 silver māṣa; 16 silver māṣas or 20 śaiba seeds = 1 dhāraṇa, 10 dhāraṇas = 1 silver pala. 1 silver pala = 36.00 gms, 1 dhāraṇa = 3.600 gms. 1 silver māṣa = 0.225 gms, 1 śaiba seed = 0.18 gms,

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Silver Series: 1 silver māṣa (= 0.225 gms), 2 silver māṣa (= 0.45 gms), 4 silver māṣa (= 0.90 gms), 16 silver māṣas (= 3.60 gms = 1 dhāraṇa), 2 dhāraṇa (7.2 gms), 10 dhāraṇa (36.00 = a silver pala) and so on.

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Similarly, Iron pala = 40 māṣas = 45.20 gms, or = 48 māṣas = 54.24 gms.

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Series of Iron weights (lauhapalas): 1/32, 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 1, 2, 3...100 lauhapalas.

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This results in: 1st series: 1.41 gms, 2.82 gms, 5.64 gms, 11.28 gms, 15.7 gms. 22.60 gms, 45.20 gms, 90.40 gms and so on (when 1 pala = 40 māṣas).

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2nd series: 1.69 gms, 3.39 gms, 7.72 gms, 15.44 gms, 18.04 gms, 27.12 gms, 54.24 gms, 108.48 gms. and so on. (when 1 pala = 48 māṣas).

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The second series is comparable with weights of Mohenjo-daro given by Berriman.

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There are bhājanī or division measures. The vyāvahāriki Bhājanī and Antaḥpura Bhājanī systems of Arthaśāstra bear resemblances to Greek, Persian and Roman systems when one masa = 18 Troy grain.

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The Kātyāyanī or Vimśatikā system used: 25 kṛṣṇala = 1 pada = 2.825 gms, 4 padas = 1 śatamāna or 1 paṇitala = 11.30 gms. This gives śatamāna = 100 krsnalas.

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Series for weights of medicine:

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The Caraka Saṃhitā (Kalpasthāna, 12.87-97) gives measures which are used for preparation of medicine. These are:

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6 *dhaṁsis* = 1 *mārici* = .00074 gms; 6 *māricis* = 1 *sarṣapa* = .00444 gms., 8 *sarṣapa* = 1 *taṇḍula* = .035 gms. 2 *taṇḍulas* = 1 *dhānyamāṣa* = .07 gms, 4 *dhānyamāṣas* = 1 *aṇḍikā* = 0.28 gms., 4 *aṇḍikās* = 1 *māṣa* = 1.13 gms; 3 *māṣas* = 1 *śāṇa* = 3.39 gms; 2 *śānas* = 1 *daṅksana* = 6.78 gms. 2 *daṅkṣaṇas* = 1 *karṣa* = 13.56 gms. So 1 *śāṇa* = 1/4 *karṣa*. The *Suśruta saṁhitā* has used the similar units.

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The word *bhāra* is referred to in Pāṇini Sūtra (VI. 2.38) in connection with *mahābhāra*. It is a *samjñā* word with a definite meaning. *Amarakośa* (II. 9.87) gives 1 *bhāra* = 8000 *karṣas* = 145 kg. Kauṭilya (II.19) records 1 *bhāra* = 20 *tūlās* = 20 × 100 *palas* = 2000 *palas*, 1 *tūlā* = 7.2 kg. *Bhāra* appears to be headload and *Mahābhāra* may be a cart load.

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Māhāvira (850 A.D.) in his *Gaṇitasāra Saṁgraha* (i. 39-45) gives as under:

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*Gold weight :*

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4 *andakas* = 1 *guñja* = 0.226 gms 5 *guñjas*= 1 *paṇa* = 1.13 gms. 8 *paṇas* = 1 (gold) *dhāraṇa* = 9.04 gms. 2 *dhāraṇas* = 1 *karṣa* or *suvarṇa pala* = 18.08 gms

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*Silver weight :*

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2 *dhānyas* = 1 *guñja* = 0.113 gms. 2 *guñjas* = 1 *māṣa* = 0.228 gms 16 *māṣas* = 1 (silver) *dhāraṇa* = 3.64 gms. 2 1/4 *dhāraṇas* = 1 *karṣapurāṇa* = 1 silver *māṣa* = 8.04 gms. 4 *karṣa pūrāṇa* = 1 silver *pala* = 32.82 gms. This is less than weight of Kauṭilya’s time.

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*Iron weights are given as:*

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*Pāda, kalā, yava, amśa, bhāga, draksuna, dinar* and *sater* which are doubtful as to their correctness. It also gives 1 *bhāra* = 10 *tūlās*, 1 *tula* = 200 *palas*, thereby, *bhāra* = 2000 *palas*, with difference.

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Śrīdhara’s *Pāṭīgaṇita* (vs. iv) records gold measures, the same as that of Kauṭilya’s *Arthaśāstra* i.e.

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5 *guñjas* (Alrus seeds) = 1 *suvarṇa māṣa* 16 suvarṇa māṣas = 1 karṣa (of gold).

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Bhāskara II records Turkish and units introduced by Badshah Alamgir on weight measures as follows:

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Turkish units : 96 yava = 1 gaḍyanaka

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72 tanks` = 1 ser

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40 sers = 1 man (maund)

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Badshāh Ālamgīr units : 192 dhātakas or tolās = 1 ser

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5 ser = 1 dhātikā, 8 dhātikās = 1 man (maund)

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This shows that new units of weight measures have started being introduced during the time of Bhāskara II (1150 AD)and Bādshah Ālamgīr.

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