📜 Measuring Telangana
How Land, Grain, Weight & Money Were Measured Across Dynasties
(Vishnukundin → Asaf Jahi)
⏳ Timeline Covered: Vishnukundin (4th–6th c.) → Western Chalukya (6th–8th c.) → Rashtrakuta (8th–10th c.) → Kalyana Chalukya (10th–12th c.) → Kakatiya (12th–14th c.) → Qutb Shahi (16th–17th c.) → Asaf Jahi (18th–20th c.)
🌱 The Tiny Seed That Weighed Gold: The Gunja (Abrus precatorius)
Before coins were stamped, before scales were standardized — there was the Gunja seed (also called Rati).
What is it? A bright red seed with a black dot, harvested from a native climber in Telangana's scrub forests. Its remarkable property: every seed weighs almost exactly the same — about 0.11 grams.
How was it used? For over 1,500 years, jewelers and kings used Gunja seeds as natural weights. If a gold coin weighed 40 Gunja seeds, everyone knew how heavy it should be — no scales needed.
The Foundation of Everything:
- Gold Gadyana = 40 or 48 Gunja seeds
- Silver Ruka = 4 Gunja seeds (equated to one Chinna)
- 1 Ruka = 2 Addugas = 16 Visas
- 10 Rukas = 1 Gadyana (gold coin)
Gold: Land Grants & Siddhayas (Revenue)
Silver: Nanda-dipa (Perpetual Lamps) & Sunkas (Tolls)
⚠️ Note: The Gunja seed is poisonous if eaten. It was never used as food — only as a weight standard.
Each dynasty card below shows:
• What they measured (land, grain, weight, money)
• What units they used (Nivartana, Tola, Gadyana, etc.)
• How it was defined (with a rope? with Gunja seeds?)
• Where it was used (temples, taxes, military, markets)
As you read down, notice how the same names (like Nivartana) changed meaning as new kings introduced their own standards.
🏛️ Vishnukundin Dynasty (4th–6th c. A.D.)
The Earliest Records — Village-Level Grants
The Earliest Records — Village-Level Grants
🌾 Land & Agriculture
• Village Grants: The primary land unit was the entire village (e.g., Irundora, Ermadala, Penkaparu). Not acres — whole settlements.
• Bhaga: The king's share of agricultural produce (crown revenue).
• Bhoga: The right to possess and enjoy the land.
• Subsurface Rights: Grants included "treasures on and under the ground" — meaning minerals, buried wealth, and even elephants belonged to the grantee.
• Village Grants: The primary land unit was the entire village (e.g., Irundora, Ermadala, Penkaparu). Not acres — whole settlements.
• Bhaga: The king's share of agricultural produce (crown revenue).
• Bhoga: The right to possess and enjoy the land.
• Subsurface Rights: Grants included "treasures on and under the ground" — meaning minerals, buried wealth, and even elephants belonged to the grantee.
💰 Weights & Money
• Gold: Standard for royal gifts and religious endowments.
• Bahusuvarna ("Much Gold"): A ritual sacrifice performed daily by kings like Madhavavarman I — a measure of both wealth and religious merit.
• Taxation Rights: Charters granted the right to collect taxes and punish criminals — making land valuable beyond just farming.
• Gold: Standard for royal gifts and religious endowments.
• Bahusuvarna ("Much Gold"): A ritual sacrifice performed daily by kings like Madhavavarman I — a measure of both wealth and religious merit.
• Taxation Rights: Charters granted the right to collect taxes and punish criminals — making land valuable beyond just farming.
📜 Source
Tummalagudem copper-plate charters (Sets I and II).
🏺 Western Chalukya (Badami) Dynasty (6th–8th c.)
Standardizing with the Royal Rope
Standardizing with the Royal Rope
🏞️ Land Measures (Royal Grants)
• Rajamana: The official "Royal Measuring Rope" decreed by the king. Every land measurement had to use THIS specific rope.
• Nivartana: The area marked out by the Rajamana rope. Typical grants: 25, 50, or 500 nivartanas donated to temples and Brahmins.
• Krosa (Kos): A distance unit — literally "a shout" (how far a human call could be heard). Used to describe village locations: "situated 2 krosas from the river." Approx. 2.25 miles (3.6 km).
• Rajamana: The official "Royal Measuring Rope" decreed by the king. Every land measurement had to use THIS specific rope.
• Nivartana: The area marked out by the Rajamana rope. Typical grants: 25, 50, or 500 nivartanas donated to temples and Brahmins.
• Krosa (Kos): A distance unit — literally "a shout" (how far a human call could be heard). Used to describe village locations: "situated 2 krosas from the river." Approx. 2.25 miles (3.6 km).
🌾 Grain & Capacity (Temple Offerings)
• Khanduga & Salage: Basket/pot measures for paddy (unhusked rice). Adopted from Telugu vernacular into royal Sanskrit charters.
• Mana: A liquid measure for oil or ghee — used to keep perpetual temple lamps (nanda-dipa) burning.
• Khanduga & Salage: Basket/pot measures for paddy (unhusked rice). Adopted from Telugu vernacular into royal Sanskrit charters.
• Mana: A liquid measure for oil or ghee — used to keep perpetual temple lamps (nanda-dipa) burning.
⚖️ Weights & Royal Authentication
• Tola: Standard weight for metal. Copper-plate charters weighed 75 or 160 tolas; a royal ring and seal weighed 16.5 tolas.
• Varaha (Boar) Emblem: The royal seal stamped on all official grants — the king's "signature." Without it, a grant was invalid.
• Tola: Standard weight for metal. Copper-plate charters weighed 75 or 160 tolas; a royal ring and seal weighed 16.5 tolas.
• Varaha (Boar) Emblem: The royal seal stamped on all official grants — the king's "signature." Without it, a grant was invalid.
🦅 Rashtrakuta Dynasty (8th–10th c.)
Measuring by the Thirty-Span Rod
Measuring by the Thirty-Span Rod
🏞️ Land Measures
• Mattar: Measured using a thirty-span rod (a span = width of an outstretched hand, ~9 inches). The rod was called the Rajamana.
• Pannasa: A specific type of land tenure or plot size (details not specified in sources).
• Mattar: Measured using a thirty-span rod (a span = width of an outstretched hand, ~9 inches). The rod was called the Rajamana.
• Pannasa: A specific type of land tenure or plot size (details not specified in sources).
💰 Monetary Standards
• Dramma: A coin used for revenue (siddhaya) payments. Example: land yielding a revenue of 12 drammas.
• Dramma: A coin used for revenue (siddhaya) payments. Example: land yielding a revenue of 12 drammas.
🔱 Western Chalukya (Kalyana) Dynasty (10th–12th c.)
Expanding the Measurement System
Expanding the Measurement System
🏞️ Land Measures
• Mattar (Maruturu): The most common land unit — used for wet, dry, and garden lands.
• Kunta: Mentioned in territorial divisions.
• Standard Rods: Land measured by rods like the Sanivarasiddhi-kola.
• Mattar (Maruturu): The most common land unit — used for wet, dry, and garden lands.
• Kunta: Mentioned in territorial divisions.
• Standard Rods: Land measured by rods like the Sanivarasiddhi-kola.
🌾 Grain & Capacity
• Khanduga: For grain produce.
• Kolaga: A grain measure granted as a privilege to officials or astrologers.
• Putti: Denoted land based on its sowing capacity (how much seed it took to plant the field).
• Mana & Chavudu: Liquid measures for oil or ghee (temple lamps).
• Khanduga: For grain produce.
• Kolaga: A grain measure granted as a privilege to officials or astrologers.
• Putti: Denoted land based on its sowing capacity (how much seed it took to plant the field).
• Mana & Chavudu: Liquid measures for oil or ghee (temple lamps).
💰 Monetary System (Gunja-Based & Bimetallic)
• Gadyana / Mada (Gold): The primary high-value gold coin (approx. 40–48 Gunja seeds).
• Chinna (Gold): A gold sub-unit (4 Gunja seeds); 10 chinnas = 1 Gadyana.
• Ruka (Silver): The market workhorse (4 Gunja seeds). 10 Rukas = 1 Gold Gadyana.
• Pana / Hana (Alloy): A fractional unit (1/4th of a Ruka).
• Visa (Copper/Alloy): The smallest unit. 16 Visas = 1 Ruka.
• Addiga & Kani: Precise fractions representing 1/2 and 1/4 of a unit (Pana or Ruka).
• Uttamaganda-chinna: Graded gold coins used to value land based on soil quality.
• Gadyana / Mada (Gold): The primary high-value gold coin (approx. 40–48 Gunja seeds).
• Chinna (Gold): A gold sub-unit (4 Gunja seeds); 10 chinnas = 1 Gadyana.
• Ruka (Silver): The market workhorse (4 Gunja seeds). 10 Rukas = 1 Gold Gadyana.
• Pana / Hana (Alloy): A fractional unit (1/4th of a Ruka).
• Visa (Copper/Alloy): The smallest unit. 16 Visas = 1 Ruka.
• Addiga & Kani: Precise fractions representing 1/2 and 1/4 of a unit (Pana or Ruka).
• Uttamaganda-chinna: Graded gold coins used to value land based on soil quality.
🏗️ Temple Administration & Costs (A.D. 1147)
• Mailara-deva Temple (Bollepalli): A rare "bill of costs" records a total installation spend of 101 Madas and 10 Rukas.
• Annual Salaries:
- Adhyaksha (Priest): 5 Madas, 10 Rukas.
- Singers/Musicians: 5 Gadyas.
- Cleaning Staff: 1 Mada.
• Currency Value: This record explicitly confirms 10 Rukas = 1 Mada/Gadya.
• Mailara-deva Temple (Bollepalli): A rare "bill of costs" records a total installation spend of 101 Madas and 10 Rukas.
• Annual Salaries:
- Adhyaksha (Priest): 5 Madas, 10 Rukas.
- Singers/Musicians: 5 Gadyas.
- Cleaning Staff: 1 Mada.
• Currency Value: This record explicitly confirms 10 Rukas = 1 Mada/Gadya.
🌿 Kanduri Choda Standards
Bamboo Poles, Human Feet & Market Tariffs
Bamboo Poles, Human Feet & Market Tariffs
🏞️ Land & Water (Measurement & Tenure)
• Ghada-maruturu: Land measured by a bamboo pole (ghada).
• Kal-maruturu: Land measured by a standardized human foot (kal).
• Ghada-putlu: Land area defined by the sowing capacity of a Putti of seed, measured using the royal pole.
• Dala-vritti: Service land grants for Sutradharas (Sculptors/Architects)—an inscription from A.D. 1124 mentions the sculptor Brammoju receiving 40 Ghada-patlu.
• Shared Resources: Records show the Sami-Setti tank was legally split: half for the Temple and half for the Public.
• Ghada-maruturu: Land measured by a bamboo pole (ghada).
• Kal-maruturu: Land measured by a standardized human foot (kal).
• Ghada-putlu: Land area defined by the sowing capacity of a Putti of seed, measured using the royal pole.
• Dala-vritti: Service land grants for Sutradharas (Sculptors/Architects)—an inscription from A.D. 1124 mentions the sculptor Brammoju receiving 40 Ghada-patlu.
• Shared Resources: Records show the Sami-Setti tank was legally split: half for the Temple and half for the Public.
📊 Administrative & Economic Insights (Panugal Tariff)
Market duties on commodities brought into the town (A.D. 1124):
Jowar (Colam): 2½ pa + 1 gidda (per cart)
Areca-nut: 8 ru (per cart) | 4 ru (per peruka)
Pepper: 6 ru + 1 gidda (per cart)
Ginger: 2½ ru + 2 visayas (per cart)
Saris: 2½ ru (per sari)
🛒 Logistics Units
• Peruka: A pack-load (likely for bullocks).
• Mopu: A small bundle or head-load.
• Nibarava: A bulk measure (likely 1/4th share) applied specifically to Salt, Paddy, Turmeric, Cotton, and Jaggery.
• Peruka: A pack-load (likely for bullocks).
• Mopu: A small bundle or head-load.
• Nibarava: A bulk measure (likely 1/4th share) applied specifically to Salt, Paddy, Turmeric, Cotton, and Jaggery.
💰 Currency & Revenue
• Gokarna Singa Ruka: A silver coin named after Gokarna Choda.
• Siddhayamu: A fixed property tax (e.g., 5 Rukas per house/shop in Panugal).
• Kanuka: A small ritual offering of 2 Pa collected from each household for the deity.
• Gokarna Singa Ruka: A silver coin named after Gokarna Choda.
• Siddhayamu: A fixed property tax (e.g., 5 Rukas per house/shop in Panugal).
• Kanuka: A small ritual offering of 2 Pa collected from each household for the deity.
📜 Source of Truth (Panugal, A.D. 1124): This era provides the first detailed anti-smuggling laws in Telangana. Inscriptions warn that anyone "hiding jaggery" to evade the market toll would be forced to pay the full duty.
🐯 Kakatiya Imperial Metrology (12th–14th c.)
All units were verified by the Sunkari (tax office) using the "Kesari" standard to ensure accuracy across the Kakatiya empire.
All units were verified by the Sunkari (tax office) using the "Kesari" standard to ensure accuracy across the Kakatiya empire.
🏞️ Land Measures
1 Hasta → 1 Baru (4 Hastas) → 1 Danda (10 Hastas) → 1 Kunta Pole (12 Barlu) → 1 Tumu-vapa → 1 Putti-vapa (20 Tumus)
• Hasta (Hand): The fundamental base unit; approximately one cubit (elbow to fingertip).
• Baru (Fathom): The span of outstretched arms; 1 Baru = 4 Hastas. It is the human-scale base for the Kunta Pole.
• Danda / Ghada: The imperial measuring rod (10 Hastas). The Kesari-pati-ghada was the verified rod used to audit these land units.
• Kunta: A specific plot measured by a 12-baru pole. Historically, it is the primary subunit used to describe garden lands and smaller grants.
• Tumu-vapa (Standardized): For official audits, the area was fixed as a 8 x 8 Danda plot (64 square rods). This geometric standard replaced variable "hand-sowing" to ensure a "person-proof" tax assessment.
• Putti-vapa (Khanduga): The highest unit; equal to 20 Tumu-vapas. It represents the total sowing capacity of a major estate or village.
1 Hasta → 1 Baru (4 Hastas) → 1 Danda (10 Hastas) → 1 Kunta Pole (12 Barlu) → 1 Tumu-vapa → 1 Putti-vapa (20 Tumus)
• Hasta (Hand): The fundamental base unit; approximately one cubit (elbow to fingertip).
• Baru (Fathom): The span of outstretched arms; 1 Baru = 4 Hastas. It is the human-scale base for the Kunta Pole.
• Danda / Ghada: The imperial measuring rod (10 Hastas). The Kesari-pati-ghada was the verified rod used to audit these land units.
• Kunta: A specific plot measured by a 12-baru pole. Historically, it is the primary subunit used to describe garden lands and smaller grants.
• Tumu-vapa (Standardized): For official audits, the area was fixed as a 8 x 8 Danda plot (64 square rods). This geometric standard replaced variable "hand-sowing" to ensure a "person-proof" tax assessment.
• Putti-vapa (Khanduga): The highest unit; equal to 20 Tumu-vapas. It represents the total sowing capacity of a major estate or village.
One standardized Tumu-vapa covered approximately 2 to 2.5 Kuntas. The Kunta evolved into the modern Gunta (1/40th of an Acre).
📦 Volume Hierarchy (Dry & Liquid — Fully Defined)
2 Giddas = 1 Sola | 2 Solas = 1 Tavva | 2 Tavvas = 1 Manika | 2 Manikas = 1 Adda | 2 Addas = 1 Tumu | 20 Tumus = 1 Putti
• Gidda: Smallest base unit; used for fractional taxation on expensive spices.
• Sola / Manika: Standard retail units; Sola was the typical measure for oil/ghee in temple endowments.
• Mana: A certified liquid measure often stamped with the Nandi (bull) or Royal Seal to prevent market fraud.
• Tumu: A major agricultural unit (1/20th of a Putti), used for measuring grain harvests.
• Putti (Khanduga): The largest macro-unit. It represents both wholesale volume and land area (defined by its "sowing capacity" or the amount of seed required for a field).
2 Giddas = 1 Sola | 2 Solas = 1 Tavva | 2 Tavvas = 1 Manika | 2 Manikas = 1 Adda | 2 Addas = 1 Tumu | 20 Tumus = 1 Putti
• Gidda: Smallest base unit; used for fractional taxation on expensive spices.
• Sola / Manika: Standard retail units; Sola was the typical measure for oil/ghee in temple endowments.
• Mana: A certified liquid measure often stamped with the Nandi (bull) or Royal Seal to prevent market fraud.
• Tumu: A major agricultural unit (1/20th of a Putti), used for measuring grain harvests.
• Putti (Khanduga): The largest macro-unit. It represents both wholesale volume and land area (defined by its "sowing capacity" or the amount of seed required for a field).
⚖️ Weight Measures (Heavy Goods vs. Metals)
🐘 BULK GOODS (Salt, Cotton, Grains)
• Baruva (Nibaruva): The largest weight unit; 1 Baruva = 20 Maunds.
• Maund: The standard heavy unit; 1 Maund = 8 Visas (weight-based Visas).
⚒️ METALS & PRECIOUS ITEMS (Gold, Copper, Tin, Lead)
• Tula: The standard unit for weighing metals; roughly equivalent to 100 Palas in traditional Sanskrit texts, but localized in Telangana inscriptions.
• Pala: The base unit for metals; often used to calculate the tax-by-weight (e.g., 1 Pala of tax per Tula of metal traded).
• Chinna/Gunja: Used for micro-weights of gold; 10 Chinas = 1 Tula (in specific medieval contexts).
🛡️ The "Kesari" Standard: Just like coins and volume, weights were often prefixed with "Kesari" to indicate they were verified by the state and kept at the market's Sunkari (tax) office.
🐘 BULK GOODS (Salt, Cotton, Grains)
• Baruva (Nibaruva): The largest weight unit; 1 Baruva = 20 Maunds.
• Maund: The standard heavy unit; 1 Maund = 8 Visas (weight-based Visas).
⚒️ METALS & PRECIOUS ITEMS (Gold, Copper, Tin, Lead)
• Tula: The standard unit for weighing metals; roughly equivalent to 100 Palas in traditional Sanskrit texts, but localized in Telangana inscriptions.
• Pala: The base unit for metals; often used to calculate the tax-by-weight (e.g., 1 Pala of tax per Tula of metal traded).
• Chinna/Gunja: Used for micro-weights of gold; 10 Chinas = 1 Tula (in specific medieval contexts).
🛡️ The "Kesari" Standard: Just like coins and volume, weights were often prefixed with "Kesari" to indicate they were verified by the state and kept at the market's Sunkari (tax) office.
💰 Kakatiya Monetary System (By Metal Type)
1 Mada (Gold) = 10 Rukas (Silver) | 1 Ruka (Silver) = 16 Visas (Copper) | 1 Visa = 4 Kasulu
🌕 GOLD UNITS
• Mada / Gadyana: The imperial standard; prefixed as "Kesari" for official royal weight.
• Chinna: Small gold unit = 4 Gunja seeds in weight (1/10th of a Mada).
⚪ SILVER UNITS
• Ruka: The primary trade currency; its value/weight often matched the gold Chinna.
• Adduga: The half-measure silver coin (1/2 Ruka or 8 Visas).
🟤 COPPER UNITS
• Paga / Haga: The quarter-measure; equivalent to 4 Visas.
• Visa: The standard fractional unit of account; 16 Visas = 1 Ruka.
• Kasu: The smallest physical copper coin; 4 Kasulu = 1 Visa. Used for micro-transactions in the market.
1 Mada (Gold) = 10 Rukas (Silver) | 1 Ruka (Silver) = 16 Visas (Copper) | 1 Visa = 4 Kasulu
🌕 GOLD UNITS
• Mada / Gadyana: The imperial standard; prefixed as "Kesari" for official royal weight.
• Chinna: Small gold unit = 4 Gunja seeds in weight (1/10th of a Mada).
⚪ SILVER UNITS
• Ruka: The primary trade currency; its value/weight often matched the gold Chinna.
• Adduga: The half-measure silver coin (1/2 Ruka or 8 Visas).
🟤 COPPER UNITS
• Paga / Haga: The quarter-measure; equivalent to 4 Visas.
• Visa: The standard fractional unit of account; 16 Visas = 1 Ruka.
• Kasu: The smallest physical copper coin; 4 Kasulu = 1 Visa. Used for micro-transactions in the market.
🏰 Bahamani Dynasty (14th–16th c.)
The Bridge Between Kakatiya and Qutb Shahi — Sowing Capacity & Revenue Shares
The Bridge Between Kakatiya and Qutb Shahi — Sowing Capacity & Revenue Shares
🌾 Land & Seed Capacity Measures (Sowing as Measurement)
• Kuro (Kure): A measure for land and seed capacity — specifically, how much seed could be sown in a field. 1 Kuro = 1 Bigha (the later Qutb Shahi unit).
• Tumu (Tumer): The Telugu equivalent of Kuro. An inscription from 1529 A.D. translates "5 kure seeds" as "yendum" — identified as 5 tumus.
• Bigha: A land unit that became standard in the Qutb Shahi period (20 baras = 1 bigha). The equation 1 Kuro = 1 Bigha shows local measures being translated into the incoming Persianate system.
• Kuro (Kure): A measure for land and seed capacity — specifically, how much seed could be sown in a field. 1 Kuro = 1 Bigha (the later Qutb Shahi unit).
• Tumu (Tumer): The Telugu equivalent of Kuro. An inscription from 1529 A.D. translates "5 kure seeds" as "yendum" — identified as 5 tumus.
• Bigha: A land unit that became standard in the Qutb Shahi period (20 baras = 1 bigha). The equation 1 Kuro = 1 Bigha shows local measures being translated into the incoming Persianate system.
📊 Revenue Division: The Qaul (Guarantee) System
State (1 share) | Public (2 shares) | Builder (1 share)
• Qaul: A guarantee or contract that standardized how agricultural produce was divided.
• Diwan (State): Received 1 share (25%) — royal revenue.
• Ryots (Public/Farmers): Received 2 shares (50%) — their livelihood.
• Infrastructure Builder: Received 1 share (25%) — if they used personal funds for tanks or step-wells.
• Why it matters: A rare documented example of public-private partnership in medieval Deccan.
State (1 share) | Public (2 shares) | Builder (1 share)
• Qaul: A guarantee or contract that standardized how agricultural produce was divided.
• Diwan (State): Received 1 share (25%) — royal revenue.
• Ryots (Public/Farmers): Received 2 shares (50%) — their livelihood.
• Infrastructure Builder: Received 1 share (25%) — if they used personal funds for tanks or step-wells.
• Why it matters: A rare documented example of public-private partnership in medieval Deccan.
🏺 Volume & Capacity (Charitable Kitchens)
• Kuro / Tumu: Continued as dry measures for seeds and grain produce — inheriting the Kakatiya volume tradition.
• Langar of the Twelve Imams: A charitable free kitchen established via land and produce endowments. Capacity was measured by the Langar itself — a specific endowment for feeding the public.
• Kuro / Tumu: Continued as dry measures for seeds and grain produce — inheriting the Kakatiya volume tradition.
• Langar of the Twelve Imams: A charitable free kitchen established via land and produce endowments. Capacity was measured by the Langar itself — a specific endowment for feeding the public.
💰 Weights & Monetary Standards
• Gold (Obaranam): Standard for royal patronage. An inscription at Tellapur (Telumganapura) dated A.D. 1418 records artisan Nagoju making golden ornaments for the queen of Firuz Shah Bahamani.
• Personal Money: Officials frequently spent their "personal money" on public works (tanks, step-wells) — implying a cash economy, though specific coin names are less detailed.
• Maund & Seer: Used for military equipment and grain distribution in the Deccan. These units were later refined as "Shahjahani" and "Jahangiri" weights under the Mughals.
• Gold (Obaranam): Standard for royal patronage. An inscription at Tellapur (Telumganapura) dated A.D. 1418 records artisan Nagoju making golden ornaments for the queen of Firuz Shah Bahamani.
• Personal Money: Officials frequently spent their "personal money" on public works (tanks, step-wells) — implying a cash economy, though specific coin names are less detailed.
• Maund & Seer: Used for military equipment and grain distribution in the Deccan. These units were later refined as "Shahjahani" and "Jahangiri" weights under the Mughals.
🕌 Qutb Shahi Era (16th–17th c.)
New Names, Same Principles
New Names, Same Principles
🏞️ Land Measures (Bigha & Marutu)
• Bigha (Biguv): The standard land unit = 20 Baras (where 1 Bara = length of two extended arms, ~6 feet).
• Marutu: A larger unit = 9 Bighas.
Comparison to earlier: The Kakatiya Nivartana was rod-based; the Qutb Shahi Bigha was arm-span-based. Both achieved the same goal — standardized area measurement.
• Bigha (Biguv): The standard land unit = 20 Baras (where 1 Bara = length of two extended arms, ~6 feet).
• Marutu: A larger unit = 9 Bighas.
Comparison to earlier: The Kakatiya Nivartana was rod-based; the Qutb Shahi Bigha was arm-span-based. Both achieved the same goal — standardized area measurement.
💰 Capacity & Currency
• Kuro (Kure): A measure for seeds.
• Bura: A liquid measure for oil.
• Hon (Hun): Gold coin. Example: a construction project costing "1400 hons as current in capital Sultan-Nagar."
• Kuro (Kure): A measure for seeds.
• Bura: A liquid measure for oil.
• Hon (Hun): Gold coin. Example: a construction project costing "1400 hons as current in capital Sultan-Nagar."
⭐ Asaf Jahi (Nizam) Dynasty (18th–20th c.)
Inherited Systems, New Applications
Inherited Systems, New Applications
🌾 Land & Agricultural Standards
• Makhta: A fixed rent or lease for land (e.g., "makhta deed for Fasil 1151").
• Fasli (Fasil): The agricultural calendar used for land administration and rent records.
• Vrittis: Continued land grants for specific services (Brahmins, temple maintenance).
• Makhta: A fixed rent or lease for land (e.g., "makhta deed for Fasil 1151").
• Fasli (Fasil): The agricultural calendar used for land administration and rent records.
• Vrittis: Continued land grants for specific services (Brahmins, temple maintenance).
⚔️ Weights & Military Standards
• Maund & Seer: Inherited from Mughal Shahjahani standards — used for artillery and gunpowder charges.
• Guns from the reign of Sikandhar Jah (Asaf Jah III) recorded charges in maunds and seers.
• Maund & Seer: Inherited from Mughal Shahjahani standards — used for artillery and gunpowder charges.
• Guns from the reign of Sikandhar Jah (Asaf Jah III) recorded charges in maunds and seers.
💰 Monetary & Time Measures
• Hon (Hun): Gold currency continued from Qutb Shahi period.
• Jhamu: A unit of time — a "watch" of the day (e.g., "took charge at 3 jhamus of the day").
• Yard: Linear distance (British influence creeping in: "died at 20 yards distance").
• Bura: Liquid oil measure (continued from earlier).
• Hon (Hun): Gold currency continued from Qutb Shahi period.
• Jhamu: A unit of time — a "watch" of the day (e.g., "took charge at 3 jhamus of the day").
• Yard: Linear distance (British influence creeping in: "died at 20 yards distance").
• Bura: Liquid oil measure (continued from earlier).
📜 Inherited Systems
The Asaf Jahi administration inherited and utilized systems from Qutb Shahi and Mughal periods:
• Bigha (20 baras) for land.
• Mada for currency.
• Emphasis on application (mosques, bridges, tanks, endowments) rather than new technical definitions.
• Bigha (20 baras) for land.
• Mada for currency.
• Emphasis on application (mosques, bridges, tanks, endowments) rather than new technical definitions.
📊 How Measurement Changed Over Time in Telangana
🏞️ Land Measurement:
- Vishnukundin: Entire villages as units — no subdivision needed.
- Western Chalukya: Nivartana defined by the Rajamana (royal rope).
- Kakatiya: Nivartana explicitly = 30 rods of 10 hands each. Volume hierarchy fully defined (Gidda → Putti).
- Kanduri Choda: Two competing methods (bamboo pole vs. human foot).
- Qutb Shahi: Bigha = 20 baras (arm spans).
- Asaf Jahi: Makhta leases, Fasli calendar — more about administration than redefinition.
🌾 Grain & Capacity:
- Early: Khanduga, Salage (basket/pot measures).
- Kakatiya: Fully defined hierarchy (2 Giddas = 1 Adda, etc.) — stamped Mana with Nandi symbol for authenticity.
- Later: Kuro (seeds), Bura (oil), continued use of Putti for sowing capacity.
⚖️ Weight & Money:
- Foundation: The Gunja seed (~0.11g) — used from early dynasties through Kakatiya.
- Gold Gadyana: 40 or 48 Gunja seeds.
- Silver Ruka: 4 Gunja seeds.
- Kakatiya standardization: "Kesari" prefix guaranteed the measure.
- Qutb Shahi / Asaf Jahi: Hon/Hun gold coins, but the Gunja-based system faded as Mughal and British standards arrived.
📏 Distance:
- Krosa: 2,000 Dandas (rods) = ~2.25 miles — used consistently across dynasties for describing village locations.
- Yojana: 4 Krosas = ~9 miles (larger journeys).
- British influence (Asaf Jahi): "Yard" appears.
🔗 The Gunja Seed: The Unseen Thread Connecting All Dynasties
While dynasties came and went — Vishnukundin, Chalukya, Kakatiya, Qutb Shahi — the Gunja seed remained the silent standard for weight.
- A gold Gadyana was always 40 or 48 Gunja seeds.
- A silver Ruka was always 4 Gunja seeds.
- 10 Rukas = 1 Gadyana — a fixed relationship across centuries.
This consistency meant that a merchant in Kakatiya Warangal and a merchant in Qutb Shahi Hyderabad were using compatible weights, even if the coin designs changed.
The Gunja seed is nature's gift to metrology — a tiny, consistent, portable weight that required no government to manufacture.
Modern Standards in Telangana (Today)
While the Standards of Weights and Measures Act unified India under the metric system, historical terminology survives in Telangana's land records and gold markets through "standardized" conversions.
Land Measurement (Revenue & Real Estate):
• Units: Measured in Acres and Guntas.
• Conversion: 1 Acre = 40 Guntas.
• Modern Definition: 1 Gunta is exactly 121 square yards (approx. 101.17 square meters).
Note: The medieval 'Kunta' used by the Kakatiyas has been fixed to this specific yardage in the Dharani portal.
• Units: Measured in Acres and Guntas.
• Conversion: 1 Acre = 40 Guntas.
• Modern Definition: 1 Gunta is exactly 121 square yards (approx. 101.17 square meters).
Note: The medieval 'Kunta' used by the Kakatiyas has been fixed to this specific yardage in the Dharani portal.
Weights (Gold & Precious Metals):
• The Metric Tola: Historically ~11.66g, the modern jeweler's Tola in Telangana is now standardized to 10 grams for ease of calculation.
• Base Unit: The Gram (g) and Milligram (mg) are the legal standards.
• The Rati: While the physical Gunja seed is rarely used, 1 Rati is mathematically defined as 0.1215 grams in traditional gemstone trade.
• The Metric Tola: Historically ~11.66g, the modern jeweler's Tola in Telangana is now standardized to 10 grams for ease of calculation.
• Base Unit: The Gram (g) and Milligram (mg) are the legal standards.
• The Rati: While the physical Gunja seed is rarely used, 1 Rati is mathematically defined as 0.1215 grams in traditional gemstone trade.
Agriculture & Capacity:
• Bulk Measure: The Putti and Tumu systems have transitioned to the Quintal (100 kg) and Metric Tonne.
• Liquids: All temple offerings (oil/ghee) formerly measured in Manas are now recorded in Liters (L) and Milliliters (ml).
• Bulk Measure: The Putti and Tumu systems have transitioned to the Quintal (100 kg) and Metric Tonne.
• Liquids: All temple offerings (oil/ghee) formerly measured in Manas are now recorded in Liters (L) and Milliliters (ml).
Length & Surveying:
• Standard: Meters and Kilometers.
• Local Usage: The Gajam (Square Yard) remains the primary unit for residential plot sizes in urban Telangana.
• Standard: Meters and Kilometers.
• Local Usage: The Gajam (Square Yard) remains the primary unit for residential plot sizes in urban Telangana.
📚 Sources Compiled From:
• Tummalagudem copper-plate charters (Vishnukundin)
• Western Chalukya (Badami & Kalyana) inscriptions
• Rashtrakuta copper-plate grants
• Kanduri Choda records (Gangapuram, Koduru)
• Kakatiya imperial inscriptions (Kesari standard)
• Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi (Nizam) land records and endowments
• Traditional Indian metrology (Arthashastra for Krosa/Danda definitions)
• Tummalagudem copper-plate charters (Vishnukundin)
• Western Chalukya (Badami & Kalyana) inscriptions
• Rashtrakuta copper-plate grants
• Kanduri Choda records (Gangapuram, Koduru)
• Kakatiya imperial inscriptions (Kesari standard)
• Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi (Nizam) land records and endowments
• Traditional Indian metrology (Arthashastra for Krosa/Danda definitions)
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