Two systems of naming are in vogue : (1) Binomial nomenclature (2) Desi nomenclature.
Desi nomenclature is India’s ancient system of writing accounts. This system is older than the binary nomenclature. In terms of principles of nomenclature both the methods have some similarities. However, the desi nomenclature differs from other accounting systems due to some of its distinctive features. In this method the books of account are known as Vahi, hence this method is also known as Vahi Khata process . Books according to this method are written in the regional language. Although this method is very ancient, it is a scientific and thorough method.
Accounts in native nomenclature are much easier to write and understand.
Features of desi nomenclature are as follows:
(1) Books: Deshinama books are red in color with cloth covers. The design is made with thick thread stitching on the top of the box. These books are vertical, white and black paper and tied with a string in between. Nowadays the use of lined books is in vogue.
(2) Vikram Samvat : Deshinama is usually written for a year from Vikram Samvat i.e. Kartak Sud Ekam (Sitting Year) to Aso Vad Amas (Diwali). As per the Income Tax Act now, Pal accounts are written for the fiscal year (dates 1-4 to 31-3) in the country nomenclature.
(3) Page for Pooja: The merchant writes the names and prayers of his favorite deities on the first page daily or sitting. Like ‘Shri Ganesha Namah’, ‘Shri Mahalthi Mataji’s Tej Hajo’ etc. This page is called the worship page. No accounting notes are written on this page.
(4) Use of the word ‘Shri’: While making entries in daily, sitting, sub-registers or ledgers, ‘Shri’ is written in front of the name of each account. For example, to write ‘at interest’, write ‘at Mr. Interest’. The word ‘Shri’ is considered an auspicious sign.
5) Wrinkles (Sal / Folds): The pages of each book of Desiname are folded. Rojmel, Bedomel K. The pages of the ledger book have eight folds. The pages of the Patanomp book are six folds. As time has changed, now unlined and lined pages are used.
(6) Credit and debit side: Among the eight folds in the Deshinama book, the first four folds on the left side are known as the credit side and the next four folds are known as the upper side. Thus, the left side is known as the ‘deposit side’ and the right side as the ‘borrow side
(7) Methods of writing in folds (Methods of writing in folds): While recording a transaction in the four folds on the deposit side or the top side in daily and sitting form, the amount of the financial transaction is written in the first fold. While in the remaining three rows, the name of the moving account is written as Jama or Uchar. Below the name of the account a brief detail of the financial transaction is shown and below this brief detail in the third or fourth line the ledger page number i.e. Khapa. is written In Desi Nama, the name of each transaction account is written by drawing a line. Generally, the amount is written in the first of the four lines and the details of the transaction in the remaining three lines.
