Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057345).pdf/37

 HAR 29 > >> six yards. in Bawan, Sara three bígha fifteen biswa local bighas are included in the regulation bigha. The subject is treated in detail in Kheri. The table of linear distance is as follows 8 barleyeorng1 angul 22 1 dánd 1000 =l kos. Prinsep's useful The kos will then equal one mile and a half and twenty- tables, page 130. There is a local pakka ser in use, or rather in reputed use, weighing Rs. 96; these of course were the Lucknow Machhlisháhi rupees of 172 grains, the sers now iu use being eighty tolas of 180 grains. The two sers then weigh respectively. Rs. 16,512 and Rs. 14,400. There is also a small local ser and maund in general use, as everywhere, throughout Oudh. Their weight differs in different markets; on the average the local maund equals eighteen regulation sers. The theory is that the local ser should weigh Rs. 32, or exactly one-third of the larger or pakka ser. But, as we have seen with reference to the land measure, theory and practice differ widely. Interest.--Ordinary interest is 15 per cent. on security of landed pro- perty, or 24 per cent. on small transactions, but money can be got at 12 per cent. in very large sums; if jewellery is pledged, interest at Re. 1-8-0 to Rs. 2 per month is charged; if the lien is on clothes or other perishable article, interest reaches Rs. 3-8-0. Advances made to tenants for subsist- ence by the grain dealers are repaid at market prices, sometimes with the addition of two annas in the rupee. In this way the money-lender, on transactions covering a brief space of time, often gets 80 per cent for his money. The special custom called up is described elsewhere.