The Gazetteers Department

The weights and measures in this country differ from place to place and also sometimes for each commodity at the same place. In order to put an end to the confusion resulting from such a state of affairs and to adopt some uniform system, the Parliament 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. The decimal system is applied to the units of weights and measures to indicate multiples.

In pursuance of the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1956, enacted 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 the Metric System in the State. Adoption of this System began in 1958 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 1966.

In Satara district, the provisions of the Enforcement Act relating to weights were applied from 1958 to the Karad market area, regulated under the Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1939. The system has also been extended to Satara City municipal area.

The following are the conversion tables concerning weights, measures, area and volume: —

1 Grain =0.64799 grams = 64.799 mgs.

1 Tola = 180 grains = 11.6638 grams.

1 Val = 4.4 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 Md. = 0.0367347 Tons = 0.0373242 Metric Tons.

1 Inch = 0.0254 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 ft. = 220 yards = 201.168 metres.

1 Chain = 20.1168 metres.

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 hectacres.

1 Cubic inch = 16.3871 cubic centimetres.

1 Fluid Ounce = 28.4132 cubic centimetres.

1 Gill = 142.066 cubic centimetres.

1 Gallon = 277.420 cubic inches = 4.54596 litres.

1 Litre = 1000.028 cubic centimetres.

Except in the market areas of Karad and the Municipal area of Satara city, the old units of Weights and Measures are still prevailing. Some of the units, viz., nilave, kolave, chipate, ma pate, sher, adisari, and payali have been prevalent for long. In course of time their unit values did change, though their unit names have remained the same.

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