Indus Valley Civilization's system of weights and measures

The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, was one of the earliest urban civilizations in the world, which flourished in the Indus River Valley in modern-day Pakistan and northwest India from around 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE. One of the notable features of this civilization was its sophisticated system of weights and measures, which played an important role in facilitating trade and commerce.

The Indus Valley Civilization used a decimal system of weights and measures, which was based on the ratio of 1:2:4:8. The smallest unit of measurement was the seed, which was used to measure small quantities of grains and spices. The next unit of measurement was the angula, which was equivalent to the breadth of a finger. This unit was used to measure cloth and other small items.

The Indus Valley Civilization also used a standardized system of weights, which were made from a variety of materials such as stone, terracotta, and bronze. The weights were shaped like cubes, discs, or cylinders and were marked with symbols to indicate their weight. The most common symbols used on the weights were the bull, elephant, and unicorn, which were believed to represent the gods worshipped by the people of the Indus Valley Civilization.

One of the most significant discoveries related to the Indus Valley Civilization's measurement system was the discovery of a large, rectangular stone block in the city of Mohenjo-daro, which is believed to be a scale or a weight. The block had two depressions on the top surface, which were used to hold the objects being weighed. The block was also marked with a scale of units, which indicated the weight of the object being measured.

The scale discovered at Mohenjo-daro is a remarkable piece of evidence of the Indus Valley Civilization's sophisticated system of weights and measures. The scale was made of chert, a hard, fine-grained rock, and was approximately 25.4 cm in length, 15.2 cm in width, and 7.6 cm in height. The scale was marked with a scale of units, which indicated the weight of the object being measured. The units were divided into 16 parts, each of which was further subdivided into four parts, giving a total of 64 units.

In addition to the standardized system of weights and measures, the Indus Valley Civilization also had a system of urban planning, which included the use of a standardized unit of measurement for the construction of buildings and roads. This unit of measurement was called the Indus foot, which was equivalent to approximately 13.2 inches. The Indus foot was used to measure the length, breadth, and height of buildings and the width of roads.

The Indus Valley Civilization's system of weights and measures was an important factor in the development of trade and commerce in the region. The standardization of weights and measures allowed for accurate and fair transactions, which helped to facilitate trade and promote economic growth. The use of a standardized system of weights and measures also indicates a high level of organization and centralization in the Indus Valley Civilization.

In conclusion, the Indus Valley Civilization's system of weights and measures was a remarkable achievement of ancient engineering and organization. The standardized system of weights and measures, along with the use of the Indus foot for urban planning, was a key factor in the development of trade and commerce in the region. The discovery of the Mohenjo-daro scale provides important evidence of the sophistication of the Indus Valley Civilization's measurement system and is a testament to the ingenuity and skill of the people who lived in this ancient civilization.