Nepal has a rich history of traditional measurement units that have been used for centuries across different regions of the country. These units are deeply rooted in the daily lives of Nepali people and are still widely used in real estate, agriculture, and trade. In this article, we provide an in-depth guide to the native units of measurement used in Nepal, including those for land area, length, weight, and volume.
Land Area Measurement in Nepal
Land measurement units vary across Nepal, primarily between the Terai (flatlands) and the hilly or mountainous regions. Here’s a breakdown of the commonly used units in both regions:
Terai Region (Flatlands)
The Terai region, known for its vast plains, follows a distinct set of measurement units:
- 1 Dhur (धुर) = 16.93 m² = 182.25 sq. ft.
- 1 Kattha (कठ्ठा) = 20 Dhur = 338.63 m² = 3,645 sq. ft.
- 1 Bigha (बिघा) = 20 Kattha = 6,772.63 m² = 72,900 sq. ft.
- 1 Bigha is equivalent to 13.31 Ropani (used in hilly areas) or 0.677 hectares or 1.67 acres.
Hill and Mountainous Region
In contrast, the hilly and mountainous regions of Nepal use different measurement units:
- 1 Daam (दाम) = 21.39 sq. ft. = 1.985 m²
- 1 Paisa (पैसा) = 4 Daam = 85.56 sq. ft. = 7.94 m²
- 1 Aana (आना) = 4 Paisa = 16 Daam = 342.25 sq. ft. = 31.79 m²
- 1 Ropani (रोपनी) = 16 Aana = 64 Paisa = 5,476 sq. ft. = 508.74 m² = 0.05 hectares = 4 Muri
- 1 Ropani = 4 Matomuri
- 1 Matomuri = 0.25 Ropani = 0.13 hectares
- 1 Khetmuri = 25 Ropani
- 1 Khet = 1.3 hectares
Length Measurement in Nepal
Traditional length measurements in Nepal are based on body parts and traditional measuring tools. These units include:
- 1 Angul = Approx. 0.75 inches
- 1 Dharnugrah (Bow Grip) = 4 Angul = 3 inches
- 1 Dhanurmushti (Fist with Thumb Raised) = 8 Angul = 6 inches
- 1 Vittaa (Span) = 12 Angul = 9 inches
- 1 Haat (Hand Length) = 2 Bhitta = 1.5 feet
- 1 Danda = 4 Haat = 6 feet
- 1 Janjir = 9 Haat
- 1 Kos or Gorut = 2,000 Danda = 4,000 yards = 2.25 miles = 3.7 km
- 1 Yojan = 4 Kos = 9 miles = 14.5 km
Grain Measurement (Dry Weight) in Nepal
Grain measurement is an essential part of Nepal’s agricultural economy, particularly for rice, paddy, and other staple crops. The traditional units include:
- 1 Muthi = 1/10 Mana
- 1 Mana = 0.5682 liters = ~0.454 kg of rice = ~0.3 kg of rough rice (Dhaan)
- 1 Kuruwa = 2 Mana
- 1 Paathi = 4 Kuruwa = 8 Mana = 152 cubic inches = 4.54596 liters (as per the Measurement Act of 1968)
- 1 Muri = 20 Paathi
For ease of conversion:
- 10 Muthi = 1 Mana
- 2 Mana = 1 Kuruwa
- 4 Kuruwa = 1 Paathi
- 20 Paathi = 1 Muri
Gold Measurement in Nepal
Gold and other precious metals have their own traditional measurement system in Nepal, which is still commonly used in jewelry and trade.
- 1 Gram = 8.573 Laal
- 1 Aana = 6.25 Laal
- 1 Tola = 16 Aana = 100 Laal = 11.66 grams
Other Weight Measurements in Nepal
Apart from gold and grains, Nepal also has traditional weight measurement units used for other commodities:
- 1 Chatak = 4.5 Tola = 58.31 grams
- 1 Pau (पाउ) = 4 Chatak
- 1 Seer (Terai region) = 0.9331 kg
- 1 Seer (Hill region) = 0.80 kg
- 1 Dharni (धार्नि) = 2 Bisauli (बिसौलि) = 4 Bodi (बोड़ि) = 12 Pau = 2.3325 kg = 5.142 pounds = 2½ Seer
- 1 Palla = 2 Dharni = approx. 5 kg
- 1 Maund = 37.3242 kg
Understanding the traditional Nepali units of measurement is essential for anyone involved in real estate, agriculture, trade, or historical research in Nepal. While the metric system is now widely used, these native units continue to hold cultural and practical significance, especially in rural areas and informal transactions.
By preserving and documenting these traditional measurements, we can ensure that Nepal’s rich history and unique heritage are not lost in the age of modernization.