Understanding Crores and Lakhs in Indian English

Indian English is rich with unique digits and numerical terms that differ significantly from the standard English system. Two such terms are crore and lakh.

Lakh

A lakh represents one hundred thousand (100,000) and is often abbreviated as lacs. This term is derived from the Sanskrit word laksha, which means '100,000' in historical context.

Crore

A crore stands for ten million (10,000,000) and is often abbreviated as C. The word crore is derived from the Sanskrit word Koti, meaning 'census' or '10,000,000'.

These terms, lakh and crore, are widely used in nations like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, among others, to express large numbers more culturally familiar to the people in these regions. Whether it is expressing populations or financial figures, these terms add a unique touch to the language and culture.

Indian Numbering System vs. Western System

As per the Indian numbering system, a crore is 1 followed by seven zeros (10,000,000). In other words, it is equal to ten million or a hundred lakhs and is written as 10,000,000. Similarly, a lakh is 1 followed by five zeros (100,000) or is equivalent to a hundred thousand. In figures, it is written as 100,000. This system differs from the Western system, which uses multiples of 1,000 (thousand, million, billion, etc.).

How They Work

Indian TermsWestern Terms UnitsUnits 100,000 - Lakh100,000 1,000,000 - Crore1,000,000 1,000,000,000 - Billion1,000,000,000

In the Indian system, 100,000 is a lakh, and 1,000,000 is a crore. So, 100,000 is one-tenth of a million, while 1,000,000 is ten times a hundred thousand. This aligns with the historical term Lakshatipati, which was used to indicate a rich man in the past, and Kotisvaran, which meant a man with unlimited means in the past.

Historical Context

The Indian fascination with large numbers and things dates back to the early Vedic period around 1500 BC. Unlike the Western system, which only adopted modern terms for big numbers in the 13th century, the Indian terms for large numbers were already in use much earlier.

Usage in Common Life

In South Asia, Lakh and Crore are traditional units of counting large numbers. You will frequently find these terms in common use in Indian publications and daily life. For instance, 1 billion is written as 100 crore, and 1 trillion is written as 1 lakh crore.

Conclusion

While the terms lakh and crore have their deep-rooted historical and cultural significance, using them can sometimes lead to confusion, especially for those not familiar with the Indian system. However, understanding these terms opens up a wider appreciation of the unique numerical and cultural aspects of Indian English.

References

1. Numerical Systems and Notations, Sir Charles Lyell, 1832