QUESTION

GS

Hard

Ancient History

Prelims 2020

With reference to the history of India, the terms “kulyavapa” and “dronavapa” denote

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Explanation

The terms kulyavapa and dronavapa were units of land measurement used in ancient India, particularly during the Gupta period. These measurements were based on the quantity of seed required to sow a specific area of land.

  • Kulyavapa: The term 'vapa' means 'to sow'. Kulyavapa refers to the area of land required to sow one kulya (a volumetric measure) of grain.
  • Dronavapa: This refers to the area of land required to sow one drona of grain. A drona was a smaller volumetric unit than a kulya.

These terms are frequently found in Gupta-era copper-plate inscriptions (such as the Damodarpur plates) which record land transactions and grants. Other related units of measurement included 'adhavapa' and 'pataka'.

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