Weight and Measurements

The objects, excavated both at Mohenjodaro and Harappa, include a large number of small rectangular blocks, mostly made of tawny chert with light grey bands. Their form is cylindrical as well as cubical. The blocks are well finished with polished faces and occasionally with bevelled edges. None bears any inscription or mark indicating a value, along with such weights, a copper balance is shown here.

Above collection of measuring devices testifies to the importance placed upon precision and accuracy in these cities. It indicates that they were cut according to strict standards, apparently under control of central authority and were used for weighting everything, from jewellery to spices.