Arizasi

Arizasi is a method of land surveying that originated in India and was later adopted in other parts of Asia, including the Indonesian Archipelago. It involves measuring the distance between two points, typically the distance between two notable landmarks or features in a landscape, using a combination of mathematical calculations and trigonometry.

The arizasi method uses a series of sightings and measurements to calculate the absolute distance between two points. This is often achieved by using the latitude of the location as a reference point, with latitude being the angular distance of a place north or south of the equator. The method is based on the principle that the angle between the horizon and the observer's line of sight to the object in question is equal to the latitude of the location.

Arizasi was widely used in ancient India as a means of measuring distances and mapping out territories. It was also adopted by the Sultanate of Malacca in the 15th century, and was used by Chinese cartographers to map out the Indonesian Archipelago. The method was particularly useful for determining the distance between two points in a landscape that was partially obscured by vegetation or other obstacles.

While arizasi is no longer widely used in modern surveying practices, it is still of interest to historians and scholars of cartography and geography. The method is a testament to the ingenuity and mathematical sophistication of ancient surveyors and cartographers, who were able to accurately map out territories and determine distances using relatively basic tools and equipment.