Weights of the Mauryan
Empire
The basic weight of ancient
India was the raktika, the bright red seed of the guja, which
was equal to about .118 grams. The goldsmith's scale given by Manu, which
was the most widley followed, was:
5 raktikas = 1 masa
16 masaa = 1 karsa, tolaka, or suvarna
4 karsas = 1 pala
10 palas = 1 dharana
The weight of the pala was about 1 1/3 oz., or 37.76 grams. Of heavier
weights the cheif were the prastha, ususally given as of 16 palas,
and the drona of 16 prasthas. The prastha was about 21
oz., and the drona 21 1/4 lb. (A.L. Basham)