Indian Land Measurement Converter: Regional Units (Bigha, Guntha, Biswa, Kanal, Acre, Gaj)
Land measurement in India is historically fragmented, characterized by rich regional traditions that vary drastically across state boundaries. While urban real estate records and bank mortgage deeds are standardized in square feet and square meters, agricultural land records (such as Khatauni, 7/12 extracts, and Patta documents) still rely on traditional vernacular units like Bigha, Guntha, Biswa, Kanal, Marla, Ground, and Cent. A critical source of financial error is that terms like Bigha or Biswa do not have a single uniform value—a Bigha in Uttar Pradesh differs substantially from a Bigha in Bihar or Rajasthan. The Kriyasya Land Measurement Converter bridges regional land revenue records with modern SI and imperial units.
Regional State-Wise Variance in Traditional Land Units
1. Northern & Central India (UP, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan)
- Bigha (Standard Pucca Bigha): Standardly equals 27,225 square feet (3,025 square yards or 5/8 of an acre). 1 Pucca Bigha = 20 Biswas.
- Bigha (Kaccha Bigha): One-third of a Pucca Bigha, equal to 9,075 square feet (1,008.33 sq yds).
- Biswa: 1/20th of a Bigha = 1,361.25 square feet (151.25 sq yds).
- Kanal & Marla (Punjab, Haryana, J&K): 1 Acre = 8 Kanals. 1 Kanal = 20 Marlas = 5,445 square feet. 1 Marla = 272.25 square feet.
2. Western India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa)
- Guntha: The primary rural unit in Maharashtra and Karnataka. 1 Guntha = 1,089 square feet (121 square yards). Exactly 40 Gunthas equal 1 Acre (40 × 1,089 = 43,560 sq ft).
- Vigha (Gujarat): Standardly equals 17,424 square feet (1,936 sq yds or 0.40 Acre).
3. Southern India (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana)
- Cent: 1/100th of an Acre = 435.6 square feet (40.47 sq meters).
- Ground (Tamil Nadu): 2,400 square feet (266.67 sq yds). A standard urban plot in Chennai.
- Ankanam (Andhra Pradesh): 72 square feet (8 sq yds).
4. Eastern India (Bihar, West Bengal, Assam)
- Katha (Cottah): 1/20th of a Bigha. In West Bengal, 1 Katha = 720 square feet. In Bihar, 1 Katha = 1,361.25 square feet.
- Dhur: 1/20th of a Katha = 68.06 square feet in Bihar.
Comprehensive Regional Land Units Master Equivalency Table
| Regional Land Unit | Prominent States / Geography | Square Feet (sq ft) | Square Yards (Gaj) | Equivalence in Acres |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pucca Bigha | UP, Rajasthan, Bihar, MP | 27,225 sq ft | 3,025 sq yds | 0.6250 Acres (5/8 Ac) |
| Guntha | Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat | 1,089 sq ft | 121 sq yds | 0.0250 Acres (1/40 Ac) |
| Biswa | UP, Haryana, Delhi-NCR | 1,361.25 sq ft | 151.25 sq yds | 0.03125 Acres (1/32 Ac) |
| Cent | Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra | 435.6 sq ft | 48.4 sq yds | 0.0100 Acres (1/100 Ac) |
| Ground | Tamil Nadu (Chennai) | 2,400 sq ft | 266.67 sq yds | 0.0551 Acres |
| Kanal | Punjab, Haryana, J&K | 5,445 sq ft | 605 sq yds | 0.1250 Acres (1/8 Ac) |
| Marla | Punjab, Haryana, J&K | 272.25 sq ft | 30.25 sq yds | 0.00625 Acres (1/160 Ac) |
| Gaj (Square Yard) | Pan-India Urban Residential | 9 sq ft | 1.0 sq yd | 0.0002066 Acres |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Gunthas make one Acre?
Exactly 40 Gunthas make one Acre in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Each Guntha equals 1,089 square feet (40 × 1,089 = 43,560 sq ft).
Why does the size of a Bigha differ between states?
Bigha was historically measured using regional settlement survey chains (Jarib). While a standard Pucca Bigha in UP is 27,225 sq ft, some states adopted smaller local Kaccha Bigha standards that persist in rural revenue records.
Content published on Kriyasya Pulse represents editorial and educational insights uniting traditional wisdom with contemporary research. Readers are encouraged to apply discernment and seek qualified guidance where appropriate.