State-Wise Land Measurement Units in India: Bigha, Biswa, Guntha, Katha & Acre to Sq Ft Conversion

1. Why Land Measurement Units Differ Across India

Unlike metric units, historical land measurement systems in India were established during Mughal and British settlements using local surveying rods (Gunter chain, Gatha, Jarib).

Consequently, a Bigha in Uttar Pradesh is vastly different from a Bigha in Assam or Rajasthan, making localized conversion knowledge crucial for registration and property valuation.

2. Northern India: Bigha, Biswa, and Biswansi Scales

In Northern states, Bigha is subdivided into 20 Biswas, and 1 Biswa into 20 Biswansis:

- **Pucca Bigha (Western UP, Haryana, Rajasthan):** 1 Pucca Bigha = 27,225 Sq Ft = 3,025 Sq Yards = 2,529.3 Sq Meters.

- **Kachha Bigha (Central & Eastern UP):** 1 Kachha Bigha = 1/3 of a Pucca Bigha = 9,075 Sq Ft or 6,806 Sq Ft depending on local Tehsil settlements.

• 1 Acre = 43,560 Square Feet = 4,840 Square Yards = 0.4047 Hectare.
• 1 Hectare = 10,000 Square Meters = 2.471 Acres = 1,07,639 Square Feet.
• 1 Pucca Bigha = 20 Biswa = 27,225 Sq Ft.

3. Western, Eastern & Southern Units: Guntha, Ground, Katha, Cent

**Maharashtra & Karnataka (Guntha):** 1 Guntha = 1,089 Sq Ft (33 ft × 33 ft). Exactly 40 Gunthas equal 1 Acre (43,560 Sq Ft).

**Tamil Nadu & Kerala (Cent & Ground):** 1 Cent = 435.6 Sq Ft (100 Cents = 1 Acre). 1 Ground (Tamil Nadu) = 2,400 Sq Ft.

**Bihar & West Bengal (Katha & Dhur):** 1 Bigha = 20 Katha = 400 Dhur. In Bihar, 1 Katha typically equals 1,361 Sq Ft.