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pala

For the unit of capacity, see palá.

In India, at least as early as the 4ᵗʰ century bce – ?, a unit of mass = 4 karshas. Perhaps about 27.2 grams.

Another pala, properly called a dharanapala, = 10 dharanas, 1 karsha heavier than the first pala. Perhaps about 34 grams.

R. Shamasasatry, trans.
Kautila's Arthaśāstra. 8th ed.
Mysore: Mysore Printing and Publishing House, 1967.

See Book II, chapter 19.

In India, ? – 19ᵗʰ century,

Pala, vernacularly, Pal, or Pul, corruptly, Pull, S. &c. () H. ( ), Mar. ( , ) A measure of time, … A measure of weight of gold or silver, varying in value, being equal to four suvarnas, to four or to eight tolas, or, in common use, to three tolas two máshas and eight kattis, or about 585 grains troy. In Cuttack, a weight for brass, &c., being the twentieth of a bisha, or equal to four karshas, or about 520 grains. In the Dakhin, a weight oftwenty-eight dabbus, used in weighing ghee, butter, &c.; in Kamaon it is a weight of about 520 troy grains. Pala also occurs in Sanskrit writings as the first or lowest measure of capacity, four being equal to one kudava, a measure of 13½ cubic angulas, or fingers.

H. H. Wilson, 1855, page 390.