8. DOUBLE RING DIAL WITH SANSKRIT LEGENDS

This instrument, used for measuring time, was possibly made in accordance with a European prototype. Unlike the sundial mentioned on the previous page, double ring dials were popular in Europe and can be seen in many museums there.

            The present specimen has a diameter of 88 mm. There are two rings nested within one another and these can be stretched apart at the time of measurement. The suspension can be adjusted according to the latitude of the place of observation. There is a bridge at the centre on which the names of the signs of the zodiac are written in Sanskrit in Devanagari script. The dial is graduated so that time can be measured in ghatis.

          It is not known where the double ring dial was produced and when. But five other specimens are known. These are in New York, Washington, Italy, London and Delhi (National Museum). The last two are made of silver.