A bigha is 27,000 sq ft in Uttar Pradesh, 27,225 in Rajasthan, Haryana and Bihar, 17,424 in Gujarat, 14,400 in West Bengal and Assam, 12,000 in Madhya Pradesh and 9,075 in Delhi — and it can differ by district. A bigha is commonly divided into 20 biswa or 20 katha.
Example
Same word, different land
A farmer near Jaipur offering “2 bigha” on the pucca measure is selling about 54,450 sq ft (1.25 acres). Two bigha in Gujarat is about 34,848 sq ft, and two bigha in West Bengal about 28,800 sq ft. Before quoting a price per bigha, confirm the state, the district and the land record’s own figure in hectares.
Figures are illustrative, not market rates.
Across India
- Rajasthan has a pucca bigha of 27,225 sq ft and a kachha bigha of 17,424 sq ft; which applies depends on the district.
- In West Bengal and Tripura a bigha is 20 katha of 720 sq ft each; in Assam it is commonly 5 katha.
- Bihar and Jharkhand divide the bigha into katha and dhur, and some north Bihar districts use a smaller katha.
- Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh use much smaller bighas, so hill plots quoted in bigha are a fraction of a plains bigha.
Questions about Bigha
Why does a bigha differ from state to state?
The bigha is a traditional unit that grew out of local revenue practice before standard units existed. Each region fixed its own measure, and many districts kept theirs. Official land records now use hectares or acres, so the bigha in conversation should always be checked against the area on the record.
How do I convert bigha to acres?
Divide the bigha’s size in square feet by 43,560. A 27,000 sq ft bigha in Uttar Pradesh is about 0.62 acre, a 17,424 sq ft bigha in Gujarat is 0.4 acre, and a 14,400 sq ft bigha in West Bengal is about 0.33 acre. Use the local value, not a national average.
Which document shows the true area of land sold in bigha?
The state’s land record — khatauni in Uttar Pradesh, jamabandi in Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana, khatian in West Bengal — shows the area, usually in hectares or acres. Match the bigha figure the seller quotes with the record before agreeing on a price.
Sources
- UP Bhulekh — Uttar Pradesh land records · accessed
- Banglarbhumi — West Bengal land records · accessed
- Punjab Land Records Society — Jamabandi · accessed
See also
Reviewed