20 On Indian Weights and Measures. [No. 9, new series. 



Madras Table. 



Equivalent 

 in xjiig. lus. 



Grains. 



Tolas. Pollams. 



Viss. 



Maund. 





187-5 



= 1 







lbs. 



5625 



= 3=1 









22,500 



= 120 = 40 == 



i 





3-2142857 



180,000 



= 960 = 320 = 



8 = 



1 



25-7142857 



The adoption therefore of the true and original unit of 187-5 grs. 

 would not, it is evident, lead to such a simple and uniform ponde- 

 rary arrangement as would admit of easy conversion into the im- 

 perial weights of Great Britain. 



But although a tola of 187*5 grs. does not answer our purpose in 

 every respect we do not see the objection to the adoption of ano- 

 ther No. (and especially of one that is found to correspond with 

 the average weight of old Native rupees) which does answer in all 

 respects. No objection at any rate could be made to such a course 

 on the score of tradition or prejudice or anything of that kind, for 

 there have been rupees of all weights. And the argument seems 

 plausible which contends, that where each district would seem to 

 have had its own standard tola it would be our best plan, if 

 any change is contemplated, to select such a number for our stand- 

 ard as, 



1st, would be acceptable to the inhabitants and so convenient 

 that the weights which are multiples of the unit would be easily 

 convertible into Avoirdupois, 



And, 2nd, as will most approximate the average weight of old Na- 

 tive Rupees, on which the different native systems of weights hav e 

 been calculated, and interfere as little as practicable with the pre- 

 sent, and existing Native weights which have the prescriptive sanc- 

 tion of long usage. 



As far as the second point goes, the present Tola of 180 grs. 

 would seem to meet all the conditions, but the great objection re- 

 mains that the weights calculated therefrom cannot be convenient- 

 ly converted into English weights, and we scarcely think Mr. 



