Ancient Arabic units of measurement

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The Ancient Arabic unit of measurements were a system of using units to associate with physical quantities. Arabic symbols are used to represent the values. The measurements were based on body measurements and common natural items. The length of forearm, shin and the standard size of a typical village were among the most accepted length units. About surface, usually Jerib or Djerib was the most usual unit which is mostly similar to acre or hectare. Another unit known as Sa was mostly used to measure volume which is approximately equal to 3 liters. Although having similar names, the size of units may differ depending on region.

Contents

Length

إصبع 116 Arabic foot~2.25 cmA finger-length
Qabḍhah قبضة 14 Arabic foot~9 cmA palm-length
Arabic foot قدم عربية ~32 cm
Dhira ذراع cubit: traditionally 2 Arabic feet, later 1+12 Arabic feetCubit
قامة fathom: 6 Arabic feet ~1.92 mA pace-length
Qaṣbah قصبة 12 Arabic feet ~3.84 mA cane-length
Seir stade: 600 Arabic feet~192 m
Ghalwah 720 Arabic feet~230.4 m
Parasang فرسخ parasang or league: 18,000 Arabic feet~5.76 km
Barid بريد 4 parasang~23.04 km
Marḥalah مرحلة 8 parasang~46.08 kmA village-length.

See also

References