Chapter 45: The Metric system

Aditya stood at the entrance of his private chamber, dumbfounded by the sight of so many people gathered there, numbering around 80 to 90.

He turned to his butler, Hari Singh, with a puzzled expression.

"Hari Singh, what is the meaning of this? Why are there so many people here?" Aditya asked, trying to make sense of the situation.

Hari Singh approached him, a concerned look on his face. "My lord, these are artisans and craftsmen from various trades who have come to seek your audience at your notice. They wish to showcase their talents and seek your guidance."

Aditya sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "But how am I supposed to address them all at once? There are too many of them."

Hari Singh nodded understandingly. "We can shift the audience to the grand hall, my lord. That way, you can address them in a more suitable setting."

Aditya considered this for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Very well, let's do that. But next time, please inform me in advance so I can be better prepared."

As the crowd began to move towards the grand hall, Aditya couldn't shake the feeling of guilt for not being ready for such an occasion.

The grand hall of the waiting room buzzed with anticipation as Aditya strode in, his presence commanding attention. Rows of artisans, blacksmiths, and tailors stood before him, their eager faces turned towards the prince, awaiting his words.

Sunlight came in through the tall windows, making the polished marble floors shine and the decorated curtains on the walls look beautiful.

As Aditya looked at the crowd, seeing all the different craftsmen there. Some looked confident and experienced, with lines on their faces showing their years of work. Others seemed nervous, playing with their clothes.

One by one, the craftsmen stepped forward, presenting their finest works with pride and enthusiasm.

The blacksmiths showed off finely crafted weapons and armor, with every detail showing their skill.

The tailors presented beautiful clothes, sewn with precision and expertise.

The artisans displayed delicate jewelry and elaborate trinkets, each one more beautiful than the previous.

Amidst the flurry of activity, Aditya listened carefully to each artisan, giving them words of encouragement and admiration for their craftsmanship.

He marveled at the skill and dedication on display, impressed by the ingenuity and creativity of his people.As the presentations drew to a close, Aditya's curiosity was piqued.

Turning to the assembled craftsmen, he posed a question that had been weighing on his mind."How do you all take unit measurements for accomplishing these masterpieces?" he inquired, eager to learn more about the process behind their creations.

The eldest among them stepped forward, his weathered hands betraying years of toil at the forge. "Ah, your Highness, Nowadays, we rely on the tools and methods available to us.

For weight measurements, we often used simple balance scales," he explained, gesturing towards a nearby set of scales.

"Goods would be placed on one side, and known weights would be added to the other until the balance was achieved.

"A younger blacksmith chimed in, "And for length measurements, we often used body parts as units. The length of a foot or the span of an arm served as common references."

Aditya nodded, intrigued by their methods. "And what about volume measurements?" he inquired.

Another craftsman stepped forward, his voice tinged with pride. "For volume measurements, we relied on vessels of known volumes, such as jars or buckets. Alternatively, cubic measures were sometimes used for dry goods."

Aditya listened intently, his mind racing with possibilities. "But how did you ensure consistency in your measurements?" he pressed, his curiosity piqued.

The crowd exchanged hesitant glances, acknowledging the inherent challenges they faced. "Well, your Highness, it isn't always easy," the eldest admitted. "Each craftsman has their own methods and standards, and there is often some variation in the results."

Aditya smiled, bringing up the need for a more standardized approach. "I see," he mused thoughtfully. "But wouldn't it be more efficient if we have a uniform system of measurement?"

The elderly blacksmith spoke up, voicing his concerns, "But how will we determine which measurement system is superior?

We've been using our methods for so long; changing them all of a sudden will only create obstacles. Personally, I fail to see any immediate benefit in undergoing such a transition."

The assembled artisans exchanged knowing glances, their expressions reflecting a mix of uncertainty and curiosity.

Aditya's gaze completely shifted towards the elderly blacksmith, his curiosity piqued. "And what might your name be?" he inquired, his tone both commanding and intrigued.

Caught off guard, the blacksmith hesitated briefly before responding, "My name is Bhaskar, Your Highness."

Aditya approached Bhaskar with a sense of authority, resting his left hand firmly on the blacksmith's shoulder as he spoke, "A valid question, Bhaskar. But before we delve into that, answer me this: how many sources do you rely on for your supplies?"

Bhaskar swallowed nervously, feeling the weight of Aditya's scrutiny as he replied, "We have very limited sources, my lord."

Aditya maintained his imposing presence, pressing further, "And why is that?"

"Because as per our requirements, the measurements do not align with those of other suppliers," Bhaskar admitted, realization dawning on him and his fellow craftsmen.

With a knowing nod, Aditya began to address the broader audience, "With standardized measurements, you can procure smaller quantities of materials from various sources at a lower cost compared to purchasing larger quantities from a single source. This reduces dependency and allows for greater bargaining power."

The murmur of intrigue spread through the crowd like wildfire, each artisan contemplating the implications of Aditya's words.

Sensing the desired effect, Aditya turned to address the broader audience.

"That's just one benefit."

He explained, his voice carrying with authority. "With standardized measurements, you can hire apprentices at lower costs too, due to easy availability of them, as they will use the same measurements and techniques that can seamlessly integrate into existing practices"

Naveen, a seasoned tailor, blurted out his concern amidst the murmuring crowd. "If prices decrease due to increased competition from numerous sources, won't our craftsmanship also lose its value?"

Aditya, ever composed, met Naveen's gaze with a reassuring nod before addressing the crowd. "Indeed, this man raises a pertinent point," he acknowledged by pointing him out. "Before I propose my solution, tell me craftsman. How many orders do you typically fulfil in a month? And how many remain pending?"

Naveen hesitated momentarily before responding, "Crafting intricate pieces takes time, Your Highness, so while we strive to complete as many orders as possible, there are always some that linger unfinished."

Aditya nodded in understanding, his expression thoughtful yet resolute.

"Precisely," he affirmed. "The demand for your exceptional craftsmanship remains high, yet your production capacity may struggle to keep pace.

However, by adopting a standardized measurement system, not only can you procure raw materials at lower costs, but you can also evaluate your final goods to a fixed price in the market that can yeild you guaranteed profit. It wont affect you negatively."

As Aditya's words resonated through the hall, a wave of approval swept through the crowd, their murmurs of admiration could be heard for the testament of prince's foresight and leadership.

With newfound confidence, the artisans began to envision a future where standardized units would not only enhance their craft but also elevate their livelihoods.

Bhaskar raised his hand, a look of uncertainty on his face.

Aditya acknowledged him, allowing him to speak his mind.

"My lord," Bhaskar began tentatively, "while your vision is promising, we require detailed measurements that cater to our specific needs. Transitioning to a new system won't necessarily address our immediate challenges."

Impressed by Bhaskar's forthrightness and leadership, Aditya considered his words carefully before responding.

Retrieving a set of notes from the table, he explained, "As we all know, we had scholars like Aryabhata, who introduced the concept of zero and developed the decimal system. "

"While we were pioneers in these advancements, we failed to implement them effectively. However, I've acquired a system of measurements which is widely used by foreign powers, which offers precise and standardized units."

With the notes in his hands, Aditya meticulously explained the principles and workings of this unfamiliar measuring system.

The crowd listened intently as Aditya outlined the benefits of the system, each point met with a chorus of murmurs and nods of agreement.

As the discussion drew to a close, a young blacksmith spoke up, voicing a lingering question, "My lord, while this measuring system seems promising, how do we determine the basic unit of measurement, such as the meter or centi meter? And what should we name it?"

Aditya paused, a faint smile playing on his lips as he prepared to unveil his next revelation, leaving the crowd hanging for his next words.

As Aditya gestured with a clap of his hands, he signaled for Hari Singh to retrieve a wrapped item. With anticipation in the air, Aditya carefully unwrapped the package, revealing an object with the size of a hand nestled within.

The room fell silent as every eye turned towards him, anticipation hanging in the air like a palpable presence.

With a confident smile, Aditya continued, "This is a gift, I received from Dutch traders not long ago. It's a guaranteed scale for measurement used by them."

Even as he spoke, a pang of guilt tugged at his conscience. Just a day before, he had personally crafted this object through his newbie blacksmithing skills, but now he is shamelessly stealing the credit from the joint efforts of the French, of those late 18th century and attributing it to unrelated Dutch traders.

However, in that moment, his opportunistic nature outweighed any sense of remorse as he proudly displayed the item for all to see.

With a flourish, Aditya revealed the object in his hand—a sleek, metal instrument engraved with intricate markings and symbols. "Behold, my fellow craftsmen," he declared, his voice ringing with conviction,

"Here is the key to our future success—The Metre scale of the Metric system, from which you can measure everything."