Sajene to Yojana Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool

Convert sajenes to yojanas with our free online length converter.

Sajene to Yojana Calculator

Sajene
Yojana

How to Use the Calculator:

  1. Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Sajene).
  2. The converted value in Yojana will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
  3. Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Length category.
  4. Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.

How to Convert Sajene to Yojana

Converting Sajene to Yojana involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.

Formula:

1 Sajene = 0.000158044 yojanas

Example Calculation:

Convert 10 sajenes: 10 × 0.000158044 = 0.00158044 yojanas

Disclaimer: For Reference Only

These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.

Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.

What is a Sajene and a Yojana?

The Sajene (Russian: сажень or саже́нь, IPA: [ˈsaʐɨnʲ] or [sɐˈʐɛnʲ]) is an historical Russian unit of length. It was a fundamental unit in the traditional Russian system of measures.

The standard or "state" Sajene (kazyonnaya sazhen) was legally defined as:

  • 3 Arshins (another Russian unit)
  • 7 English Feet (after Peter the Great's reforms aligned some Russian units with English standards)
  • 84 English Inches

This equates to:

  • Exactly 2.1336 meters (m)
  • Exactly 7 feet (ft)
  • Exactly 84 inches (in)

The Sajene was subdivided as follows:

  • 1 Sajene = 3 Arshins
  • 1 Arshin = 16 Vershoks (meaning 1 Sajene = 48 Vershoks)

The Yojana (Sanskrit: योजन) is an ancient Indian unit of distance, primarily found in historical texts from South Asia. Its exact length is highly debated and likely varied significantly across different time periods, geographical regions, and textual sources.

There is no single, universally accepted conversion to modern units. Common scholarly estimates place its value anywhere between:

  • 8 to 15 kilometers (km)
  • Approximately 5 to 9 miles (mi)

Some ancient texts define the Yojana in terms of smaller units, such as:

  • 4 krosas (or gorutas)
  • 8,000 dhanus ('bows')
  • 32,000 hastas ('cubits')

However, the lengths of these base units are also subject to historical variation and interpretation, contributing to the uncertainty surrounding the Yojana.

Note: The Sajene is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Yojana belongs to the imperial/US customary system.

History of the Sajene and Yojana

The Sajene was used in Russia for centuries, likely originating from an anthropomorphic measurement related to the span of outstretched arms or a person's reach, similar to the fathom in other systems. The name itself may derive from Slavic roots related to reaching or stretching.

While informal variations existed, the unit was standardized over time, notably under Peter the Great (reigned 1682–1725), who aligned the Arshin with 28 English inches, thereby fixing the standard Sajene at exactly 7 English feet (2.1336 m).

The Sajene remained a primary unit for larger measurements in Russia until the metric system was adopted following the Russian Revolution. The metric system became compulsory in the USSR on January 1, 1925, rendering the Sajene and other traditional units obsolete for official use.

  • Ancient Origins: The term "Yojana" appears in some of the oldest Indian literature, including the Vedas, the Puranas, and the great epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. It was a standard measure for long distances.
  • Buddhist Texts: Buddhist scriptures, such as the Pali Canon, frequently use the Yojana to describe geographical distances, the dimensions of mythical realms, or the extent of a Buddha's journey. Different Buddhist traditions sometimes offer varying interpretations of its length.
  • Arthashastra: Kautilya's Arthashastra (an ancient treatise on statecraft, c. 3rd century BCE) provides definitions relating the Yojana to smaller units, suggesting a more standardized system for administrative purposes at that time, though its precise value remains debated.
  • Lack of Standardization: Unlike modern systems, ancient Indian measurements were not centrally standardized across the vast subcontinent and over long periods. Local customs, royal decrees, and the specific context (e.g., measuring road distance vs. cosmological scale) could all influence the intended length.
  • Interpretations: Modern scholars have attempted to calculate the Yojana based on various methods:
    • Analyzing travel times mentioned in texts.
    • Comparing described geographical distances with known locations.
    • Relating it to astronomical measurements found in cosmological texts.
    • Working backward from definitions based on smaller, slightly better-understood units like the hasta (cubit) or angula (finger width). These methods often yield conflicting results.
  • Obsolescence: With the advent of standardized systems like the Imperial system during British rule and later the widespread adoption of the metric system, the Yojana fell out of practical use for measurement.

Common Uses for sajenes and yojanas

Explore the typical applications for both Sajene (imperial/US) and Yojana (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.

Common Uses for sajenes

The Sajene is now obsolete but was historically essential in various fields in Russia:

  • Land Surveying: Measuring land plots, distances, and property boundaries.
  • Architecture and Construction: Specifying dimensions of buildings, structures, and materials like timber.
  • Shipbuilding: Measuring lengths related to ship design and construction.
  • Rope Making: Measuring lengths of rope.
  • Cartography: Used in mapmaking and geographical measurements.
  • Folk Measurement: Appeared in everyday language and descriptions of distance or height.

Common Uses for yojanas

The Yojana is primarily encountered today in:

  • Historical Studies: Understanding ancient Indian geography, trade routes, military campaigns, and administrative divisions described in texts.
  • Religious and Literary Studies: Interpreting distances mentioned in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain scriptures, epics, and classical literature. This includes cosmological descriptions, mythological journeys, and the size of ancient kingdoms or structures.
  • Cultural Context: It remains a part of the cultural lexicon in discussions related to ancient Indian heritage and texts.

It is not used for any practical, scientific, or commercial measurements in the modern era.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About Sajene (sajene)

How long is a Sajene?

The standard Russian Sajene (kazyonnaya sazhen) is exactly:

  • 2.1336 meters
  • 7 English feet
  • 84 English inches
  • 3 Arshins

What were the subdivisions of the Sajene?

The Sajene was divided into smaller traditional Russian units:

  • 1 Sajene = 3 Arshins
  • 1 Arshin = 16 Vershoks
  • Therefore, 1 Sajene = 48 Vershoks.

Were there different types of Sajene?

Yes, besides the standard "state" Sajene (7 feet), two other common variations based on body measurements existed historically, though their lengths were less standardized:

  • Makhovaya Sajene (Маховая сажень - "swinging" or "sweeping" Sajene): The distance between the fingertips of a person's outstretched arms, roughly equivalent to a fathom (approx. 1.76 meters or 5.77 feet).
  • Kosaya Sajene (Косая сажень - "oblique" Sajene): The distance from the toes of one foot to the fingertips of the opposite arm raised diagonally upwards (approx. 2.48 meters or 8.14 feet). This was often used idiomatically to describe someone tall and broad-shouldered.

The kazyonnaya sazhen (7 feet) was the official standard used for legal and technical purposes.

How does the Sajene compare to a Meter or Fathom?

  • 1 Sajene = 2.1336 meters
  • 1 Meter ≈ 0.4687 Sajenes
  • The standard Sajene (2.1336 m / 7 ft) is slightly longer than the standard English fathom (1.8288 m / 6 ft). The Makhovaya Sajene (~1.76 m) was closer in concept and length to the fathom.

Is the Sajene an SI unit?

No, the Sajene is not an SI unit. It is a traditional unit from the historical Russian system of measurement. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m).

Is the Sajene still used today?

No, the Sajene is obsolete and not used in modern measurements in Russia or elsewhere. It was officially replaced by the metric system in 1925. Its significance today is purely historical, found in old texts, documents, literature, and descriptions of historical sites or objects.

About Yojana (yojana)

What is the accepted value of a Yojana in modern units?

There is no single universally accepted value. Scholarly estimates vary widely, most commonly falling between 8 kilometers (approx. 5 miles) and 15 kilometers (approx. 9 miles). Some interpretations suggest values as low as 5 km or as high as 20 km. The specific text, time period, and region must be considered.

Why is the length of the Yojana so uncertain?

Several factors contribute to the uncertainty:

  1. Lack of Central Standardization: Ancient India had diverse local measurement practices.
  2. Evolution Over Time: The definition likely changed over centuries.
  3. Variable Base Units: The smaller units (like krosa or hasta) used to define it were also not universally fixed.
  4. Contextual Differences: The term might have been used differently for road distances, land surveys, or cosmological scales.
  5. Figurative Use: In some literary or religious contexts, the term might have been used symbolically or hyperbolically rather than as a precise measurement.

How does the Yojana relate to other ancient Indian units?

The Yojana was typically the largest unit in a hierarchical system. A common (though not universal) relationship described in texts like the Arthashastra is:

  • 1 Yojana = 4 Krosas (or Gorutas)
  • 1 Krosa = 1,000 (or sometimes 2,000) Dhanus (bows)
  • 1 Dhanus = 4 Hastas (cubits)
  • 1 Hasta = 24 Angulas (finger widths)

The uncertainty in the base units (hasta, angula) contributes to the uncertainty in the Yojana.

Is the Yojana still used today?

No, the Yojana is an obsolete unit of measurement. It has not been used for practical purposes for centuries and has been entirely replaced by the metric system (kilometers, meters) in India and other relevant regions. Its relevance is purely historical, literary, and cultural.

Is the Yojana an SI unit?

No, the Yojana is not an SI unit. It is an ancient, traditional unit of distance from the Indian subcontinent. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m).

Conversion Table: Sajene to Yojana

Sajene (sajene)Yojana (yojana)
10
50.001
100.002
250.004
500.008
1000.016
5000.079
1,0000.158

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