Understanding the Kutta: Ancient India's Unit of Time

Kutta is a unit of time in ancient India, used during the Gupta period (4th to 6th century CE). It was equivalent to 1/48 of a day or 24 minutes.

The word "kutta" is derived from the Sanskrit word "kṣaṭta", which means "to cut" or "to divide". The name reflects the fact that the kutta was divided into smaller units of time, such as the vikala (1/48 of a kutta) and the naya (1/96 of a kutta).

The use of the kutta as a unit of time was widespread in ancient India, and it was used for various purposes, including astronomical observations, taxation, and legal proceedings. The kutta was also used to measure the duration of religious ceremonies and festivals.

Over time, the use of the kutta as a unit of time declined, and it was eventually replaced by other units of time, such as the hour and the minute. However, the legacy of the kutta can still be seen in the Indian calendar system, which is based on the lunar month and the solar year.