Rain gauging was prevalent in India even before Panini (3.4.32) who provides for terms referring to measures of rainfall. The Arthashastra (2.5.7) describes the rain-gauge as a basin with a mouth one aratni (= 24 ahgulas) in width. According to the Brhatsamhita (23.2) the raingauge is to be one hasta or cubit (18 inches) in diameter. When filled to the brim it indicates 50 palas or 1 aadhaka of rainfall. Other texts like Krshiparasara, differ in the measurement of 1 aadhaka and other measures such as drona and dhanus. | Rain gauging was prevalent in India even before Panini (3.4.32) who provides for terms referring to measures of rainfall. The Arthashastra (2.5.7) describes the rain-gauge as a basin with a mouth one aratni (= 24 ahgulas) in width. According to the Brhatsamhita (23.2) the raingauge is to be one hasta or cubit (18 inches) in diameter. When filled to the brim it indicates 50 palas or 1 aadhaka of rainfall. Other texts like Krshiparasara, differ in the measurement of 1 aadhaka and other measures such as drona and dhanus. |