Weights, Measurements and Coinage
Weights
The basic weight of The Mauryan empire
was the raktika, which is estimated at about .118 grams.
Weight Equivilancy
5 ratikas
|
1 masa
|
16 masas
|
1 karsa
|
4 karsas
|
1 pala
|
10 palas
|
1 dharana
|
1 pala = 1 1/3 oz. or 37.76 grams
Measurement Equivilancy
8 yava
|
1 angula
|
3/4 inches
|
12 angulas
|
1 vitastis
|
9 inches
|
2 vitastis
|
1 hasta
|
18 inches
|
4 hastas
|
1 dhanus
|
6 feet
|
2,000 dhanus
|
1 krosa
|
2.25 miles
|
4 krosas
|
1 yojana
|
9 miles
|
Time Equivilancy
18 nimesas
|
1 kasthas
|
3.2 seconds
|
30 kasthas
|
1 kala
|
1.6 minutes
|
15 kalas
|
1 nadika
|
24 minutes
|
2 nadikas
|
1 muhurta
|
48 minutes
|
30 muhurtas
|
1 aho-ratra
|
24 hours
|
(Thepar)
Coinage
Issued initially by merchant
Guilds and later by States, the coins represented a trade currency belonging
to a period of intensive trade activity and urban development. The
motifs found on these coins were mostly drawn from nature like the sun, various
animals, trees, hills, and some were geometrical symbols. (Buggey)