Friday 3 February 2012
Land Measurements in India
Many of you may be buying lands in various places. In fact, it could be anywhere in India. Investment opportunities are wide. Many gated community properties (lands enclosed by compound walls, fences, etc with a scope for development) are promoted. Many of you may, however, find variations in terms used for measurement of lands. These terms are often local and may have to be understood in local parlance. I have provided particulars of commonly used terms which you may freq uently come across in various documents across India, but may not have an idea of what the measurement is, compared to the terms you are familiar with. There could still be certain local variations, but broadly the measurements as indicated and as converted would be applicable.
Most of you would be familiar with the term “Acre”. This is a commonly used term. The equivalent terms are given in a simple format for your easy understanding.
In respect of certain other terms of measurements which you may not be familiar, measurement equivalent to one Acre would be as follows:
To give you a further idea of the various terms, I am giving you particulars of these measurements in square feet as well.Following the same order, the particulars in square feet for the following other measurements are as follows:
In respect of the other measurements, the square feet equivalent will be as follows:
There is also a term called “Dhur” which is equal to 16.9 sq.mtrs. You may come across usages like “poles”. One hundred and sixty Square Poles make an acre which is same as “Square Perches” and also “Square Rods”.
There are also measurements like “Chain”. One Chain is equivalent to 66 feet or 4 rods or 100 links, or 20.1168 metres. A Link is a term of measurement equivalent to 7.92 inches or 0.66 feet or 0.2017 metres. One metre is equivalent to 3.280833 feet of 39.37 inches. One Square Metre will work out to 10.764 Sq.ft.
You may also come across terms like “Cawnie” also spelt as “Cawny” which is equal to 1.322 acres. A “Kuzhi” is equal to 144 Sq.ft. Roughly three Kuzhis are equal to 1 Cent, 300 Kuzhis make up 1 “Maa”.
A “Kila” (also known as “Keela”) is equal to an acre in measurement, but is always rectangular in shape. One “Karam” is equivalent to 5.5 Sq.ft.
There are also big measures known as “Kothis” which may be equal to 3-4 Kanals and at times, 4-6 Kanals.
There could be variance in Biswa measurements also - 12 Biswas measuring 1 Kanal and 20 Biswas measuring 1 Bigha.
1 “Mile” is about 5280 Feet. A “Square Mile” is equivalent to 27878400 Sq.ft. This is also equal to about 640 Acres or 259 Hectares. It is also expressed as 2.59 Square Hectares. A Hectare is computed as equal to 10000 Sq.Mtrs. This will work out to about 11959.9 Sq.Yards. This is equal to 107639.10 Sq.ft. Simply stated, a Hectare is 2.471 acres.
You may have heard about “Township” developments. A Township is typically a development comprising 6 Miles X 6 Miles or 36 Sq.Miles. This is also equivalent to 36 Sections - 1 Section is typically 1 Mile x 1 Mile.
As already stated, in each area, there could be a variation and it will be advisable to get a feedback on actual measurement based on the locality in which the properties that you buy or deal with may be actually situated. This is given by way of general information for you to have a broad based understanding of what is the likely area that you are dealing with.
Ours is a vast country with varying cultures. The systems of measurements and extents have a whiff of such underlying cultures and have their own interesting features. An understanding of the terms will also be helpful in providing insights to a wonderful and intricate pattern of mosaic that has bonded us as a country.
Most of you would be familiar with the term “Acre”. This is a commonly used term. The equivalent terms are given in a simple format for your easy understanding.
In respect of certain other terms of measurements which you may not be familiar, measurement equivalent to one Acre would be as follows:
To give you a further idea of the various terms, I am giving you particulars of these measurements in square feet as well.Following the same order, the particulars in square feet for the following other measurements are as follows:
In respect of the other measurements, the square feet equivalent will be as follows:
There is also a term called “Dhur” which is equal to 16.9 sq.mtrs. You may come across usages like “poles”. One hundred and sixty Square Poles make an acre which is same as “Square Perches” and also “Square Rods”.
There are also measurements like “Chain”. One Chain is equivalent to 66 feet or 4 rods or 100 links, or 20.1168 metres. A Link is a term of measurement equivalent to 7.92 inches or 0.66 feet or 0.2017 metres. One metre is equivalent to 3.280833 feet of 39.37 inches. One Square Metre will work out to 10.764 Sq.ft.
You may also come across terms like “Cawnie” also spelt as “Cawny” which is equal to 1.322 acres. A “Kuzhi” is equal to 144 Sq.ft. Roughly three Kuzhis are equal to 1 Cent, 300 Kuzhis make up 1 “Maa”.
A “Kila” (also known as “Keela”) is equal to an acre in measurement, but is always rectangular in shape. One “Karam” is equivalent to 5.5 Sq.ft.
There are also big measures known as “Kothis” which may be equal to 3-4 Kanals and at times, 4-6 Kanals.
There could be variance in Biswa measurements also - 12 Biswas measuring 1 Kanal and 20 Biswas measuring 1 Bigha.
1 “Mile” is about 5280 Feet. A “Square Mile” is equivalent to 27878400 Sq.ft. This is also equal to about 640 Acres or 259 Hectares. It is also expressed as 2.59 Square Hectares. A Hectare is computed as equal to 10000 Sq.Mtrs. This will work out to about 11959.9 Sq.Yards. This is equal to 107639.10 Sq.ft. Simply stated, a Hectare is 2.471 acres.
You may have heard about “Township” developments. A Township is typically a development comprising 6 Miles X 6 Miles or 36 Sq.Miles. This is also equivalent to 36 Sections - 1 Section is typically 1 Mile x 1 Mile.
As already stated, in each area, there could be a variation and it will be advisable to get a feedback on actual measurement based on the locality in which the properties that you buy or deal with may be actually situated. This is given by way of general information for you to have a broad based understanding of what is the likely area that you are dealing with.
Ours is a vast country with varying cultures. The systems of measurements and extents have a whiff of such underlying cultures and have their own interesting features. An understanding of the terms will also be helpful in providing insights to a wonderful and intricate pattern of mosaic that has bonded us as a country.
