"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد I. ١٩١٨" [‎٢‎٤‎٣] (٥٦٨/٢٥٢)

ES
CURRENCY, WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 243
fcWi
Measures
Linear
Baghdad.— Three systems prevail, each based upon a different
dhara or 'yard'.
(а) The dhara Baghdad, or cubit of Baghdad, is the one most
generally used for cotton cloths, &c.
inches
1 Dhara Baghdad = 4 charaks . . . = 29^
1 Charak = 4 aqads .... — 7V
1 Aqad =
(б) The dhara Haleb, or cubit of Aleppo, is used for silks or
woollens.
inches
1 Dhara Haleb = 4 charaks .... — 26-
. 1 Charak = 4 aqads ... = fit
1 Aqad ; ; = ih
1 G
(c) The dhara Shah is used for measuring carpets or other dealing's
with Persians. 65
inches
1 Dhara Shah = 4 rubas or charaks . . = 42
1 Ruba or Charak = 4 aqads , . . = lOi
1 Aqad . = 2*
British goods are measured in English yards, Continental goods in
metres. It will be observed from the above tables that three different
charaks of length obtain at Baghdad besides the of weight and
one ruba of length besides the of weight. A mason's cubit
[mamar), equal to 31| in., is used chiefly by builders and for land
measurement.
Basra. The English yard of 36 in, is in general use, being known
as dhara and subdivided into 16 aqads. But the Aleppo of
27 m. is also employed.
Mosul.— The dhara at Mosul measures 31 |f in., being as elsewhere
aivided into 16 aqads.
Diarbekr.— The dhara here measures 29-9 in. and is also called
^arshm. It is divided into 4 charahs or 16 qirehs, which latter would
appear to be synonymous with aqad.
Arabistan. —The dhara (Persian varies from 32 in. at Shushtar
and Eellahiyeh to 37 in. at other places. The half-yard is called
nim by Persians, or nuss by Arabs; the quarter-yard is called rub or
ruha, or charak. The char ah is divided into 4 qirehs.
q