The Gazetteers Department

There is a multiplicity of weights and measures in India. The units of weights and measures differ not only from place to place but also from commodity to commodity in the same place. In order to evolve a uniform system and to avoid the confusion re- suiting from such a state of affairs, the Government of India enacted the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1956. This Act laid down the basic units under the Metric System, which derives its name from the primary unit of measurement-the metre. The prototype of the metre is maintained at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures at Sevres, France. In this sytem the decimal system is applied to the units of weights and measures.

In pursuance to the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1956, passed by the Government of India, the then Government of Bombay enacted the Bombay Weights and Measures (Enforcement) Act, 1958, for the enforcement of standard units based on Metric System in the State. Enforcement of the system began in 1958 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 1966.

The new system of weights has been made applicable to Panvel town in this district. Except Panvel the old units of weights and measures are still prevailing. Some of the units, viz., nilave, kolave, chipate, mapate, sher, adholi and payali have been prevalent from old times. In the course of time their unit values did change, though their unit names remained the same.

The following are the conversion tables, concerning weights, measures, area and volume, as per the new system to be adopted: -

Weights.

1 Grain = 0.064799 grams = 64.799 mgs.

1 Tola =180 grains = 11.6638 grams.

1 Val = 4.5 grains = 0.2916 grams = 291.6 miligrams.

1 Ounce = 2.43056 tolas = 28.3495 grams.

1 Pound (lb.) = 0.4535924 kilograms = 453.592 grams.

1 Seer = 0.93310 kilograms = 933.10 grams = 80 tolas.

1 Ton =1.01605 metric tons.

1 Maund=0.0367347 ton = 0.0373242 metric tons.

Measures.

Length.

1 Inch = 0.254 metres = 2.54 centimetres.

1 Foot=12 inches = 0.3048 metres = 30.48 centimetres.

1 Yard = 36 inches = 0.9144 metres = 91.44 centimetres.

1 Furlong = 660 feet = 220 yards = 201.168 metres.

1 Chain = 20.1168 metres.

Area.

1 Sq. inch = 0.00064516 sq. metres.

1 Sq. foot =144 sq. inches = 0.092903 sq. metres.

1 Sq. yard = 9 sq. feet = 0.83613 sq. metres.

1 Sq. mile = 640 acres = 258.999 hectares.

Volume and Capacity.

1 Cubic inch =16.3871 cubic centimetres.

1 Fluid ounce = 28.4132 cubic centimetres.

1 Gallon = 277.420 cubic inches = 4.54596 litres.

1 Gill =142.066 cubic centimetres.

1 Litre = 1000.028 cubic centimetres.

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