Yojana to Arpent Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert yojanas to arpents with our free online length converter.
Yojana to Arpent Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Yojana).
- The converted value in Arpent will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Length category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Yojana to Arpent
Converting Yojana to Arpent involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Yojana = 230.8837 arpentsExample Calculation:
Convert 10 yojanas: 10 × 230.8837 = 2308.837 arpents
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 Yojana and a Arpent?
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.
The Arpent is a historical French unit used primarily for measuring land area, but also sometimes used as a unit of length. As a unit of length, the arpent typically referred to the side length of a square arpent of land.
Its precise length varied significantly by region and time period in France and its colonies. A commonly cited value, particularly associated with the arpent de Paris, is based on 180 French feet (pieds du Roi), which equates to approximately:
- 58.47 meters (m)
- 191.8 feet (ft)
Other variations existed, such as the arpent commun (based on 200 French feet, ~64.97 m) and the arpent d'ordonnance (based on 220 French feet, ~71.47 m).
Note: The Yojana is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Arpent belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Yojana and Arpent
- 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.
The term "arpent" likely derives from the Gaulish arepennis, meaning "end of a field," suggesting its origins relate to agricultural land measurement, possibly representing the amount of land that could be plowed in a day. It became a fundamental unit for land surveying in France during the medieval period and remained in use until the adoption of the metric system following the French Revolution.
- Regional Variations: Before standardization efforts, the length (and thus area) of the arpent varied considerably across different regions of France. Key variations included:
- Arpent de Paris: Based on a perche (rod) of 18 pieds du Roi (French feet), with the linear arpent (side of the square) being 10 perches, totaling 180 pieds (~58.47 m). The area was 32,400 square pieds.
- Arpent Commun: Based on a perche of 20 pieds, linear arpent of 200 pieds (~64.97 m). Area: 40,000 square pieds.
- Arpent d'Ordonnance (or Arpent des Eaux et Forêts): Based on a perche of 22 pieds, linear arpent of 220 pieds (~71.47 m). Area: 48,400 square pieds. Used primarily for royal forests.
- Colonial Usage: The arpent was exported to French colonies, notably:
- New France (Quebec, Canada): The arpent de Paris became the standard for land grants along the St. Lawrence River, shaping the characteristic long, narrow farm plots (rangs).
- Louisiana (USA): The French arpent (usually the arpent de Paris) was used for land measurement before and sometimes after the Louisiana Purchase. Its legacy persists in land titles and some place names.
- Metrication: The metric system officially replaced the arpent and other traditional units in France in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, though its use lingered in practice and historical records.
Common Uses for yojanas and arpents
Explore the typical applications for both Yojana (imperial/US) and Arpent (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
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.
Common Uses for arpents
The Arpent (both linear and area) is now largely obsolete for practical measurement but remains historically significant:
- Historical Land Surveys: Essential for interpreting old maps, deeds, and land grants in France, Quebec, Louisiana, and other areas formerly under French control (e.g., parts of the US Midwest like Missouri, Illinois, Indiana).
- Legal Context: Land descriptions in some regions may still reference original measurements in arpents, requiring conversion for modern understanding.
- Historical Research: Understanding the arpent is crucial for historians studying agriculture, settlement patterns, and land tenure systems in French history and its colonial contexts.
- Unit of Area: While this page focuses on the length, the arpent is more commonly known and encountered as a unit of area (the square arpent).
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions 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:
- Lack of Central Standardization: Ancient India had diverse local measurement practices.
- Evolution Over Time: The definition likely changed over centuries.
- Variable Base Units: The smaller units (like krosa or hasta) used to define it were also not universally fixed.
- Contextual Differences: The term might have been used differently for road distances, land surveys, or cosmological scales.
- 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).
About Arpent (arpent)
Is the Arpent a unit of length or area?
The Arpent is primarily known as a unit of area, representing a specific parcel of land. However, a linear arpent also exists, defined as the side length of a square whose area is one arpent. This page focuses on the linear arpent. The relationship is direct: Area Arpent = (Linear Arpent)². Because the linear arpent varied, the area also varied.
Where is the Arpent still relevant?
The Arpent is not used for everyday measurements today. Its relevance is almost entirely historical and legal:
- Quebec (Canada): Crucial for understanding historical land division and property lines, especially the seigneurial system.
- Louisiana (USA): Important for interpreting land titles dating back to the French colonial period.
- France: Relevant for historical studies and understanding old documents.
- Other former French territories: May appear in historical records (e.g., Mauritius, parts of the US Midwest).
How long is a linear Arpent?
There is no single value, as it varied regionally. Common historical values include:
- Arpent de Paris: ~180 French feet ≈ 58.47 meters ≈ 191.8 feet (Most common in Quebec & Louisiana)
- Arpent Commun: ~200 French feet ≈ 64.97 meters ≈ 213.2 feet
- Arpent d'Ordonnance: ~220 French feet ≈ 71.47 meters ≈ 234.5 feet (Note: The French foot, pied du Roi, was slightly longer than the English foot, approx. 32.48 cm or 12.79 inches).
How does the linear Arpent compare to a Meter or Foot?
- The most common linear arpent (~58.47 m) is significantly longer than a meter. (1 Arpent ≈ 58.47 m)
- It is also much longer than a foot. (1 Arpent ≈ 191.8 ft)
Is the Arpent an SI unit?
No, the Arpent is not an SI unit. It is a traditional unit from the French system of measurements. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m), and the SI unit for area is the square meter (m²).
Conversion Table: Yojana to Arpent
| Yojana (yojana) | Arpent (arpent) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 230.884 |
| 5 | 1,154.418 |
| 10 | 2,308.837 |
| 25 | 5,772.092 |
| 50 | 11,544.184 |
| 100 | 23,088.369 |
| 500 | 115,441.843 |
| 1,000 | 230,883.686 |
All Length Conversions
Other Units from Length
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- Cubit (Royal/Egyptian) (cubit)
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