A few days after the previous council meeting, Ashoka convened another assembly in the grand hall of the palace in Pataliputra. This time, it was not only the ministers and advisors who filled the room but also royal scholars, mathematicians, architects, and merchants invited from across the Mauryan Empire. The purpose of the meeting was clear: to initiate the process of standardizing weight and length units across the vast territories of Bharat.
Ashoka entered the chamber with an air of authority. His gaze swept across the assembled group, noting the diversity of the scholars present—each representing different regions and traditions. He raised his hand, signaling for silence, and addressed the gathering.
"Respected scholars and advisors, we are here today to lay the foundation for an important reform. Our empire stretches from the mountains of the north to the oceans in the south, from the deserts of the west to the forests of the east. Yet, in this vast land, we lack unity in something as basic as weights and measures. This inconsistency hinders trade, taxation, and governance. It is time to bring order to this chaos."
The room buzzed with murmurs of agreement. Ashoka continued, "Today, I call upon the brightest minds of our empire to create a standardized system of weights and measures that will be fair, practical, and universal. This system must be simple enough for a common farmer to use, yet precise enough for the needs of our merchants and administrators. Let us discuss how we can achieve this."
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The Need for Standardization
The royal mathematician, Brahmagupta, was the first to speak. "Your Majesty, the lack of standardization is indeed a pressing issue. In one province, a merchant might sell grain using a measure known as the mana, while in another, they use the ser. The same problem exists with weights; there is no consistency in the units used across the empire. This leads to disputes and mistrust in trade."
The chief minister, Raghunath, added, "Beyond trade, the absence of standardized measures also complicates taxation. Our tax collectors often face difficulties in assessing the true value of goods, leading to inefficiencies in revenue collection. Moreover, the military faces logistical challenges when coordinating supplies across different regions."
A merchant from Taxila stood up to share his perspective. "Your Majesty, as a trader, I have often faced difficulties when transporting goods from one region to another. The lack of uniform weights and measures forces us to carry multiple sets of tools for trade, which increases our costs and causes delays. A unified system would greatly benefit us."
Ashoka listened intently, nodding in agreement. "It is clear that the need for standardization is not just a matter of convenience but a necessity for the prosperity of Bharat. Let us discuss how we can create such a system."
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Proposals from the Scholars
The scholars began to present their ideas. Brahmagupta proposed, "We can base our units of weight on something universally accessible, such as the grain of wheat. For example, we could establish a unit called the karsha, which would be equivalent to a specific number of grains. Larger weights could then be defined as multiples of the karsha."
An architect, Dhanananda, suggested a method for standardizing length. "For length, we could use the human body as a reference. The length of a cubit, or hasta, is already widely recognized. We could refine this unit and define it precisely based on the average length of a forearm. Larger units, such as the yojana, could be defined as multiples of the hasta."
The royal treasurer, Vikramaditya, added, "Your Majesty, to ensure consistency, we should create physical standards for these units. Bronze or stone weights and measuring rods could be placed in key cities across the empire. These standards would serve as references for merchants, tax collectors, and administrators."
Ashoka considered these proposals carefully. "These ideas are promising, but we must ensure that the system is practical and easy to implement. It should not burden the common people, nor should it create confusion among merchants. I propose that we test these standards in a few provinces before implementing them across the entire empire."
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Assigning Responsibilities
To move forward, Ashoka assigned specific tasks to different groups within the council. Brahmagupta and his team of mathematicians were tasked with defining the units of weight and length in precise terms. Dhanananda and the architects were instructed to design the physical standards that would represent these units. Vikramaditya and the treasurers were given the responsibility of overseeing the production and distribution of these standards.
Ashoka also ordered the creation of an imperial decree to inform the people of Bharat about the upcoming changes. The decree would explain the benefits of standardization and encourage cooperation from merchants, farmers, and officials.
"This will not be an easy task," Ashoka said as he addressed the council. "But it is a necessary one. By uniting Bharat under a single system of weights and measures, we will strengthen our trade, our governance, and our empire. Let us work together to achieve this goal."
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The Beginning of Reform
As the meeting concluded, the scholars and ministers left with a sense of purpose. The task ahead was daunting, but they were inspired by Ashoka's vision and determination. Over the coming months, they would work tirelessly to develop and implement the new system, laying the groundwork for a more unified and prosperous Mauryan Empire.
For Ashoka, this was just the beginning. He knew that the road to reform was long and filled with challenges, but he was determined to lead Bharat toward a brighter future—one step at a time.