Indian land measurement units for agriculture land
Introduction
India is filled with diversity. This diversity also shows in how agricultural, commercial or non-agricultural lands in India are measured in terms of length and area. Primarily, the land measurement units can be categorized on the basis of five geographical regions in India i.e., East India, North India, west India, central India and South India. Central India land measurement units are not only influenced by north India but also a little bit of East India.
*Must Read : Types of soils
Sometimes, the name of the unit will be the same in different parts of India, but the measurement will be different when converted to yards, acres, feet or hectares. The measuring unit magnitude varies from state to state. Sounds confusing right? You need not worry now as this article will give you an in-depth analysis of Indian land measurement units used together with, how to convert the local measurement unit to global measurement standards to give you the precise land parameters like length and area.
Standard unit of measuring land in India
what is the standard unit of measuring land ?
Typically, In most of the Indian states, the standard unit of measuring agricultural land is acres. This measuring unit is followed by Hactares, Bigha, Guntha and square meters.
After standardization of Land area measurement units, The standard unit of measuring land is shown in the following table which shows the exact measurement scale to be used all over India for calculation of land Area.
Common units used in India for measurement of agricultural lands
NORTH INDIA
WEST INDIA
SOUTH INDIA
EAST INDIA
CENTRAL INDIA
GLOBAL
Pucca Bighat
Pucca Bigha
Cent
Chatak
Bigha/Beegha
Squar Foot (sq ft)
Bigha
Bigha
Guntha
Lecha
Kattha
Squar Yard (sq yd)
Kachha Bigha
Biswa
Kuncham
Dhur
Acre
Biswa
Biswani
Ground
Kattha
Hectare
Biswani
Ankanam
Killa
Ghumao
Kanal
Sarsahi
Unwansi
Kachwansi
Muthi
Naali
Bissa
Land measurement units like acres, square meter, square feet, hectaresand square yard (also known as “Gaj” in local language) the standard unit of measuring land of India. However, out of all these standard unit of measuring land, the locals are still preferring to use the local and traditional measurement units for ease of business and force of habit. The land/plot measurement units like Dhur, Chatak , Kattha and Lechaare mostly used in East India. Whereas, south India uses agricultural land measurement units like Ankanam, Guntha, Kuncham, Ground or Cent. Central India uses Bigha and Kattha. Whereas, a plethora of land measuring units can be heard in North and west India like Bigha, Gaj, Biswa, Pucca Bigha, Kaccha Bigha, Killa, Kanal, Ghumao, Sarsai, Marla, Biswani, Unwansi, and Kachwansi.
List of commonly used Global land measurement units
UNIT OF AREA
CONVEDRSION
1 Square Centimeters
0.00107639 Square Feet
1 Square Inch
0.0069444 Square Feet
1 Square Feet (sq ft)
144 Square Inch
1 Square Meter (sq ft)
10.76391042 Square Feet
1 Square Yard (sq ft)
9 Square Feet
1 Acre
4840 Square Yard or 100.04 cents (standard unit to land measurement)
1 Hectare
10000 Square Meter or 2.49 acres approximately
1 Square Kilometer (sq km)
247.1 acres
1 Square Mile
640 acres or 259 hectares
* 1 Feet is equal to 12 Inches
* 1 Acre is equal to 40 Guntha commonly
* 1 Guntha is equal to 1089 Square Feet
* Measuring Unit abbreviation Square Feet (sq ft), Square Yard (sq yd), Square Meter (sq m), Square Kilometer (sq km)
Insight into traditional land measurement units in India
Let’s dive into the details of the traditional land measurement units based on locality and state of India, and see how the measurement units can be converted into the global land measurement units for ease of understanding and business.
Length Measurement Units of Agricultural Land and Non-Agricultural land in INDIA
Area Measurement Units of Agricultural Land and Non-Agricultural land in WEST INDIA
Term of Unit
Used Conversion
Used in States
Remarks
1 Bigha Pucca
3025 sq yd
Bihar & some parts of Rajasthan
1 Pucca Bigha is equal to 165 ft X 165 ft
1 Bigha
1936 sq yd
Bigha size used in Gujarat and some parts of Rajasthan
1 Bigha is equal to 132 ft X 132 ft.
1 Biswa Pucca
151.25 sq yd
Its mostly used in upper parts of Rajasthan
1/20 Bigha (Pucca)
1 Biswa
96.8 sq yd
Rajasthan
1/20 of Bigha
1 Biswansi
1/20 Biswa
Rajasthan
1 Biswa is equal to 20 Biswansis. Each state has a different value for Biswansi depending on the value of Biswa/ Bigha
Local Standard unit of measuring land in all parts of India
Following is the list of Standard unit of measuring land in different staes of India.
Land measurements in Andhra Pradesh : Guntha, Ankanam, Kuncham
Land measurements in Arunachal Pradesh : Chatak, Lecha, Dhur, Kattha
Land measurements in Assam : Kattha, Lecha, Bigha , Dhur
Land measurements in Bihar : Kattha, Dhur, Bigha , Bigha Pucca
Land measurements in Chhattisgarh : Kattha, Bigha
Land measurements in Goa : Guntha
Land measurements in Gujarat : Bigha
Land measurements in Haryana : Gaj, Bigha , Killa, Kanal, Marla, Ghumao, Karam, Kadam, Sarsai, Biswansi, Biswa
Land measurements in Himachal Pradesh : Ghumao, Bigha , Karam, Kadam, Sarsai, Biswansi, Biswa
Land measurements in Jharkhand : Dhur, Bigha
Land measurements in Karnataka : Cent, Guntha, Ankanam
Land measurements in Kerala : Cent
Land measurements in Madhya Pradesh : Kattha, Bigha
Land measurements in Maharashtra : Guntha
Land measurements in Manipur : Chatak, Lecha, Dhur, Kattha
Land measurements in Meghalaya : Chatak, Lecha, Dhur, Kattha
Land measurements in Mizoram : Chatak, Lecha, Dhur, Kattha
Land measurements in Nagaland : Chatak, Lecha, Dhur, Kattha
Land measurements in Odisha : Chatak, Lecha, Dhur, Kattha
Land measurements in Punjab : Gaj, Bigha , Killa, Kanal, Ghumao, Marla, Sarsai, Biswansi, Biswa
Land measurements in Rajasthan : Pucca Bigha, Biswa Pucca, Biswa, Bigha , Biswansi
Land measurements in Sikkim : Chatak, Lecha, Dhur, Kattha
Land measurements in Tamil Nadu : Ground, Cent
Land measurements in Telangana : Guntha, Ankanam, Kuncham
Land measurements in Tripura : Dhur
Land measurements in Uttar Pradesh : Dhur, Bigha
Land measurements in Uttarakhand : Gaj, Bigha , Unwansi, Kachwansi, Biswa, Biswansi , Muthi, Naali, Bissa
Land measurements in West Bengal : Chatak, Kattha, Bigha
Land measurements in Delhi : Gaj
Chatak
A land measurement unit used in eastern part of India. Not as popular as Kattha unit of measurement. This land measuring unit is also popular in Bangladesh.
1 Chatak = 45 Square feet
States where Chatak is used : West Bangal
Kattha
A land measurement unit also very prominent in eastern part of India. Depending on the location its value can range from 600 to 2800 square feet. This along with Chatak is still a little prevalent in eastern and some parts of northeen India. This varying land meeasurement unit is also used in some parts of Nepal and Bangladesh.
1 Kattha = 719 square Feet ( But it can also range from 600-2800 Square Feet)
States where Kattha is used: Assam, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar
Dhur
Again, like many other land measuring units, Dhur also varies in values depending on state to state.
It is very commonly used in Nepal aswel.
1 Dhur (Tripura) = 3.6 Square Feet
1 Dhur (Bihar) = 68 Square Feet
States where Kattha is used: Bhiar, Tripura, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh
Lecha
Another land measurement unit used in mostly eastern parts of India is Lecha.
1 Lecha = 144 Square Feet
States where Lecha is used: Assam
Ground
A ground is a land area measurement unit mostly used in Southern parts of India.
1 Ground = 2,400 Square Feet.
States where ground is used: Tamil Nadu.
Cent
Cent is also a land measurement unit which is maily used in southeren parts of India.
1 cent = 435.6 Square Feet
States where cent is used: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala
Guntha
This land measurement unit is predominetly used in southeren and a little bit of western parts of India. Don’t be surprised to see this unit being used, not only in south but also in states like maharshtra which falls in the western part of India.
1 Guntha = 1,089 Square Feet
40 Guntha = 1 Acre
States where Guntha is used: Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra.
Ankanam
By definition Ankanam is the space between any two posts or pillars that support the roof. It’s a measuring unit used mainly in southern part of India and is derived from the word “Ankana”
1 Ankanam = 72 Squyare Feet
1 Ankanam (Tirupathi) = 36 Square Feet
States where Ankanam is used: Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
Kuncham
A Kuncham is a land measurement unit which is prevalent in south India.
1 Kuncham = 4,356 Square Feet
States where Kuncham is used: Andhra Pradesh.
Gaj or Guz or guzz
Probably one of the oldest land measuring unit. It was also coined as the “new yard” or “Mughal yard” of Indian sub-continent. This measuring unit was used to measure textile. It’s a measuring unit used mostly in northern parts of India and its value has change from 24-41 inches or 610-1040 mm over a period of time. A saari is also measured in Gaj/Guz/Guzz. By 20th century 1 guz was made equal to one yard.
1 Gaj,Guz,Guzz = 1 yard
States where Gaj or Guz or guzz is used: Delhi, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana
Bigha or Beegha
It’s a very common age-old measuring unit which is predominantly used in most of India except for southern part of India. It has seen its use in Nepal and Bangladesh as well. The standard size of Bigha varies from state to state.
State
Understanding of 1 Bigha
Assam
14,400 sq ft
Bihar
27,220 sq ft
Gujarat
17,427 sq ft
Haryana
27,225 sq ft
Himachal Pradesh
8,712 sq ft
Jharkhand
27,211 sq ft
Punjab
9,070 sq ft
Rajasthan
1 Pucca Bigha = 27,225 sq ft 1 kuchha Bigha = 17,424 sq ft
Madhya Pradesh
12,000 sq ft
Uttarakhand
6,804 sq ft
Uttar Pradesh
27,000 sq ft
West Bengal
14348.29 sq ft
States where Bigha or Beegha is use: Bihar, Himachal ,Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Pradesh, Jharkhand ,Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam
Killa
A land measuring unit used in north India. A killa is a measurement of land in rectangular shape.
1 Killa = 43560 Square Feet
2.5 Killa = 1 hectare
States where Killa is used: Haryana, Punjab
Kanal
It s a Land measuring unit used in northern part of India. It is a unit which was standardised in British rule to be equal to 605 Square Yards or 505.857 Square Meters. Its also used in some parts of Pakistan
1 kanal = 4500 Square Feet
1 Kanal = 1/8 Acre
States where Kanal is used : Haryana, Punjab, jammu Kashmir
Marla
A very traditional Land measurement unit which is not just being used in north India but also in parts of Pakistan and Bangladesh. It was standardised in British rule to match one square “rod” or 30.25 square yards.
1 Marla = 272.25 Square Feet
1 Marla = 1/160 Acre
1 Marla = 9 sarsai
States where Marla is used: Haryana, Punjab
Ghumao
It’s a Land measurement unit used in norther parts of India. It is considered as somewhat equivalent to Acre. Due to different standards of measurement of Kanal unit, Ghumao unit value ranges for 0.759 Acre to 1 Acre.
1 Gumao = 8 Kanal
1 Ghumao = 0.759 Acre to 1 Acre
States where Ghumao is used: Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana
Karam or Kadam
This unit is also a popular unit of land measurement mainly used in norther part of India. Its standardised values range from 54, 56,57.157, 57.5,60 to 66 inches. Depending on the standardisation measurement used, its value changes. Its used to measure length and not the area.
States where Karam is used: Himachal Pradesh, Haryana
Sarsai
It’s a unit of measurement of land which depends on the standardized value of karma/kadam unit. Its only used majorly in few states in North of India. To remove all the confusion, a standard area has been allocated to Sarsai
1 sarsai (57.5 Inch “Karam”) = 3306.250 Square Inch or 2.133 Square Meter (Before standardisation)
1 sarsai (66 Inch “Karam”) = 4356 Square Inch or 2.810 Square Meter (Before standardisation)
States where Sarsai is used: Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab
Biswansi
This is another land measureing unit used in north India which had variable values depending on the variable values taken for the underlying unit of measuring length karam or kadam. It has been now standardised to have a set value.
1 Biswansi = 1/20 Biswa (Bigha-Biswa system after standardisation)
1 Biswansi (54 Inch “Karam”) = 2916 Square Inch or 1.881 Square meter (Before standardisation)
1 Biswansi (56 Inch “Karam”) = 3136 Square Inch or 2.023 Square Meter (Before standardisation)
States where Biswansi is used: Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab
Biswa
Depending on the Indian state and its standardization, the value of one Biswa can range from 50 to 150 Square yard. It has been now standardized under Bigha-Biswa system.
1 Biswa = 1350 Square Feet
20 Biswa = 1 Bigha or Beegha
States where Biswa is used: Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab
Unwansi
This is a very small area measurement unit used in India. Its main use has been seen in North India
1 Unwansi = 24.5025 Square Inches
States where Unwansi is used: Uttarakhand, Uttarpradesh
Kachwansi
This is a slightly bigger version of Unwansi. This land measuring unit is not that much in use but still can be seen in some parts of the north India.
1 Kachwansi = 20 Unwansi
States where Unwansi is used: Uttarakhand, Uttarpradesh
FAQ
Q :1 ground in sq feet, one ground in square feet, 1 ground how many square feet, one ground how many square feet, how many square feet is one ground, how many square feet in one ground
Answer : 1 Ground = 2,400 Square Feet.
Q : 1 acre how many cent, 1 acre is equal to how many cent, 1 acre in cents, how many cent is one acre
Q: 1 cent how many square feet, One cent how many square feet, 1 cent to square feet, One cent to square feet, 10 cent to square feet, How many square feet in one cent
Answer : 1 cent = 435.6 Square Feet
Q : how many kanal in one acre, kanal to acre, 1 acre to kanal, acre to kanal
Answer : 1 Kanal = 1/8 Acre and 8 Kanals = 1 Acre
Q : 1 kanal in square feet, One kanal in square feet, How many square feets in one kanal
Answer : 1 kanal = 4500 Square Feet
Q : how many square feet in one marla, 1 marla in square feet, how many feet in one marla
Answer : 1 Marla = 272.25 Square Feet
Q : 1 acre to marla, how many marla in one acre, How many marla in 1 acre
