---

Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 16, p. vi.

INTRO. D.UCT©R Y NO a? É:S same quantity, but thé quantity to be obtained for the same amount of money. In other words, prices in India are quantity prices, not money prices. When the figure of quantity goes up, this of, course aateans that the price has gone down, which is at 'first sight perplexing to an English reader. It may, however, be mentioned; that quantity prices are not altogether unknown in- England, especially at small shops, where pennyworths of many groceries can be bought. Eggs, likewise, are :commonly sold at a varying number for the shilling.- If it be desired to convert quantity prices from Indian into English denominations without having recourse to money prices (which would often be misleading), the following scale may be adopted-based upon the assumptions that a seer is exactly z lb., and that the value of the rupee remains constant at Is. 4d-! a seer per rupee = (about) 3 lb. for 2s. ; 2 seers per rupee = (about) 6 lb. for 2s. ; and so on. The name of the unit for square measurement in India generally is the 8igha, which varies greatly in different parts of the country. But areas have always been expressed throughout the Gazetteer either in square miles or in acres. MAPS NORTHERN MADRAS to face .t. 362 SOUTHVRN MADRAS MADRAS CITY . . ' » 378