Maund (Mass / Wieght)
The Indian unit "maund" is an old measure of mass that was widely used in India and other parts of South Asia before the adoption of the metric system. Its value varied depending on the region and the time period, but maund has its roots in ancient and medieval Indian trade practices. It was used for measuring agricultural produce, commodities, and other goods. The weight of a maund varied significantly across regions and eras. There was no standardized value, and different regions had their own definitions and conversions.
- 1 Maund (Bengal standard) ≈ 37.3242 kg
- 1 Maund (general approximation) ≈ 37.5 kg to 40 kg (varies by region)
During the British colonial rule in India, an attempt was made to standardize the maund. In 1833, the British government set the standard for the maund in Bengal at approximately 82.28 pounds (about 37.3242 kilograms). This value, however, was not universally adopted across all regions. After India gained independence in 1947, the country gradually transitioned to the metric system, and the use of traditional units like the maund declined. The maund is now largely obsolete in official contexts but may still be used colloquially in some areas.
Regional Variations
The weight of a maund could differ greatly depending on the region:
- Bengal: As mentioned, the maund in Bengal was standardized to about 37.3242 kg during the British period.
- Madras (now Chennai): In Madras, the maund was equivalent to approximately 11.3398 kg.
- North India: In places like Delhi and Punjab, the maund was often around 40 kg.
Gaj (Area)
In India, "gaj" is a traditional unit of measurement for area and sometimes length. It is still used in many parts of the country, especially in real estate, agriculture, and land measurements. Here are the details about "gaj" and its use in measuring area:
Understanding Gaj
- Gaj: The term "gaj" is derived from the Hindi word for "yard." It is similar to the English yard, but it is used in a slightly different way in India, particularly for measuring area.
Gaj in Land Measurement
- Square Gaj: The most common use of "gaj" in land measurement is in the form of "square gaj" (गज or गज़), which is a unit of area.
- Symbol: The unit is often denoted as sq. gaj or sometimes just gaj when referring to area.
Conversion and Usage
- Square Gaj to Square Feet:
- 1 Square Gaj = 9 Square Feet
- This is because 1 gaj is approximately equal to 3 feet in length. So, 1 square gaj (1 gaj by 1 gaj) equals 3 feet by 3 feet, which totals 9 square feet.
- Square Gaj to Square Meter:
- 1 Square Gaj ≈ 0.83612736 Square Meters
- This conversion is based on the metric equivalence where 1 foot equals 0.3048 meters.
- Square Gaj to Acres and Hectares:
- 1 Acre = 4840 Square Yards (Gaj)
- 1 Hectare = 11959.9 Square Gaj
- These conversions are useful for larger land area measurements and are commonly referenced in agricultural contexts.
Other Related Units
- Bigha: In rural India, larger plots of land are often measured in bighas. The size of a bigha varies significantly across different regions, but it is commonly used alongside square gaj.
- For example, in some areas, 1 Bigha might be around 3025 Square Gaj, though this can vary.
- Kattha: Another traditional unit used in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
- 1 Kattha ≈ 1361.25 Square Gaj (This also varies regionally.)
- Biswa and Biswansi: Units used in northern India, especially in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
- 1 Biswa = 121 Square Gaj (This can vary by district.)
Rupees per Liter
In India, liquid commodities, such as gasoline (petrol), are sold by the liter and in Rupees. To make the conversion, one has to know how many liters are in a gallons, and the current exchange rate.
The formula to convert Rupees per Liter to U.S. Dollars per Gallon is:
`DPG = RPL * (3.7854 " Liters")/(1.0 " U.S. Gallons") * ($1.0 " USD")/( ₹ "83.915 INR")`
where:
- DPG = Dollars per Gallon
- RPL = Rupees per Liter