History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c38.s2.t1.33

v1.c38.s2.t1.33

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.