Measurement is a multiple of a given unit. Accuracy in measurement comes only partly from the skill of using a measurement instrument carefully. It also depends on the procedures adopted, such as how many different measurements are taken and how many times each measurement is repeated.
The concept of measurement system in various types i.e., linear, area, Volume, Weight and time was same through out Karnataka. This concept is even found in other parts of India. The multiples and conversion factors were same but the basic unit was fixed on regional consideration.
The present work is an abridged and revised version of my thesis entitled "Measurement System in Karnataka" (AD 325 to 1700) submitted to Kuvempu University, Shankarghatta, Shimoga.
I thank Dr. Rajaram Hegde, Department of P.G. Studies in History and Archaeology, Kuvempu University, Supervisor of my research for his constant encouragement and guidance.
The Director General, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi for their kind permission to take measurement in monuments. The Director (Epigraphy), Archaeological Survey of India, Mysore for having permitted me to use their transliterations and library for my research.
Dr A.Sundara and Dr Shrinivas Ritti for their encouragement and advice.
The library staff of Kuvempu university Shankarghatta, Karnatak University and Kannada Research Institute Dharwad, The Mythic Society, Bangalore. The Indian Council for Historical Research, Bangalore Study circle, Bangalore. Keladi Museum and Historical Research Bureau, Keladi, Sagara, Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies, University of Mysore, Mysore for their kind permission to study manuscripts. The Indian Council for Historical Research, New Delhi for their assistance in sanctioning me the travel contingent grant.
Dr C.S.Nanjundaiah, Principal, DVS college of Arts, Shimogga has been of much help in revising the text.
The Management of KSSIDC where I am working for their kind permission and colleagues for their support. My friends and relatives who have evinced keen interest in my research work. My family who have constantly encouraged my interest.
Sri. K. R. Ramakrishna former Director and Dr. R. Gopal Director, Directorate of Archaeology and Museums for taking up publication and Harsha printers, Mysore for their good work.
There has been a welcome trend among the historians of Karnataka as they are now concentrating on social, economic and other cultural aspects of ancient and medieval Karnataka. The present monograph by Dr. Jagadish belongs to this group. The concept of measurement started almost with the civilised life as an economic and social necessity and in course of time achieved as much unity as was possible under the political setup of a kingdom. Inspite of these experiments, efforts were being made to achieve standardisation in various measurements. Standardisation has not been possible even today in the global context.
Dr. Jagadish, the author of this monograph is an Engineer in Karnataka State Small Industries Development Corporation Limited of the Government of Karnataka and hence he is familiar with the various problems of measurements. He has made use of epigraphic and literary sources for the study of this rare aspect in ancient and medieval Karnataka. Apart from the large number of inscriptions he has consulted, he has studied works like Mānasõllāsa, Śivatattvaratnākara., Ganita Sarasamgraha, Kshetra ganita etc., The large number of poles (Kolu) mentioned in the inscriptions of temples (Gadiba /kol) are collated with specimens carved on the temple walls either with or without labels. This has added great value to the monograph. This shows that the author has done extensive field work with a keen eye on the details of measurements. Line drawings and Photographs have been used as good supporting evidence. Thus he has examined linear, area, volume, weight and time measurements in a chronological order. Thus it is a competent and comprehensive study of the measurements in Karnataka.
This Directorate is very happy to place this scholarly and useful work in the hands of the interested readers in the cultural history of Karnataka.
History all over the world has come to be treated not as information laid out in chronological order but as an exploration and analysis of the society of the present and of the past. Such attempts are deeply influenced by a range of ideologies and environs from time to time. From the 1960's there is a shift in Nationalist idea in using and interpreting historical data. There is a growing recognition of the importance of administrative, social and economical aspects of history.
Measurement system is an essential and important part of particularly agriculture, trade and commerce, apart from that of secular, religious or defense architecture. While dealing with economic and architectural aspects of a period or region in history, usually the measurement system prevalent then or in that area through the ages as known from inscriptions and literature are compiled and discussed. But the evolution of the units of measurements, of varied kinds in vouge from time to time is hardly attempted for the simple reason that the source material such as tables, scales etc., used then are not available.
With sound financial support a state could survive longer, a state surviving for a longer period would indicate availability and more so management of good resource at its command. Resource mobilization is possible through more refined and rigorous policy in tax collection. Many studies of the contemporary works that appeared, have over looked the dynamics of revenue aspect of State. Rigorous and refined taxation must have been an outcome of more refinement in Measurement System and its application.
Dipakranjan Das is of the opinion that in Ancient India there were a number of land measures. The area indicated by these measures may sometimes be ascertained with the help of epigraphs and literary works. He further remarks that it is not safe to understand the same geographical area by the same measure in all places and periods. Sheik Ali while dealing with the revenue administration of the Western Gangas raises certain questions as to Whether all the available land was measured according to one uniform measurement? Whether the soil was divided into different categories on the basis of fertility? Whether the assessment of tax was based on any principle or was it just arbitrary? While discussing these and other questions he states that concrete answer cannot be found to these questions on account of paucity of relevant historical material.
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