BRIEF INFORMATION ABOUT AD LAND RECORDS AND TEHSILDAR

The Land Reforms Act, 1977 came into force on 9 January, 1977.
The Provincial Assembly passed amendments to the Land Revenue Act,
1967 in March 2007.
The Patwar system was first introduced during the short but eventful rule
of Sher Shah Suri and the system was further enhanced by Akbar.
The first significant attempt at redistributive land reforms was undertaken
by the military regime of Ayub Khan in 1959.
Land Records Management & Information Systems is a major project of
the Government of Punjab being executed by the Board of Revenue with
financial assistance of World Bank.
The first computerise project, named as Participatory Information System
(PIS) was initiated in the Balochistan.
The Support to Devolution Reforms in Balochistan Project (SDRB, formerly known
as Balochistan Trial District Management Project), funded by UNDP, aimed to support
decentralisation in Balochistan Province.
"Tahsil" meaning "revenue generating; collection" and "dar", Persian for "holder of
a position", together meaning tax collector. "Tahsil" derived from Arabic.
There are two principal crop seasons in Pakistan namely "Kharif", with
sowing beginning in April and harvest between October and December and
"Rabi" beginning in October-December and ending in April-May. Rice, sugar
cane, cotton, maize and millet are Kharif crops, while wheat, gram, tobacco,
rapeseed, barley and mustard are Rabi crops.
A village's common land is called Shamilot.
Genealogical tree of the land owner s is called Shajra Nasb.
For mutation process Halqua Patwari resorts in prescribed form called P-1
Certified copies of land records can be obtained by applying in form CA-1.
Amalgamation and redistribution of all or any of the land to reduce the
number of plots in the holding consolidation. Consolidation also called Chak
Bandi.
The Court Fee Act, 1870 is a fiscal enactment with primary object to secure the
revenue. Court fee is charged at the rate of 7.5% of the value of suit subject to
maximum of Rs.15, 000/. All revenue and civil suits with value of less than Rs.25,
000/- are exempt from court fee.
Khasra Girdawri is conducted by Patwari in the months of October, February and
April. The first six monthly inspection of crops in the month of October called Kharif
Girdawri ; the second inspection of crops in the month of February is called Rabbi
Girdawri and Girdawri done during the month of April is called Zaid Girdawri.
Punjab Assembly passed The Punjab Land Revenue (Abolition) Act 1998 on 6th
February, 1998. This Act was published in Punjab Gazette on 24 February, 1998.
There are 197 pages in The Punjab Land Revenue (Abolition) Act 1998. Section 2 & 3
of The Punjab Land Revenue (Abolition) Act 1998 have abolished the Land revenue
Land which remained unsown for eight successive harvests is called
Banjar qadim.
Land which remained unsown for four successive harvests is called Banjar
jaded.
Senior Member Board of Revenue is Chairman of Board of Revenue or
Chief Land Commissioner.
Kanugos, Patwaris, Kotars and Lambardars are called Village Officers.
A portion of land of which the area is separately entered under an indicative
number in the Record of Rights is called Khasra Number.
Cultivated land is classified into Seven types.
The register of crops inspection is called Khasra Girdawari.
The Periodical record is prepared once in every Four years.
Khewat is the name of list of owners holding.
Land administration is "the regulatory framework, institutional
arrangements, systems and processes that encompass the determination,
allocation, administration and information concerning land.
The Land Administration System (LAS) in Pakistan is organized on the
traditional system of Land registers and maps.
Khatauni is prepared by patwari.
Record of Khatauni is kept under the custody of Halqua patwari.
Lord Dufferin was the Viceroy of India at the time of enforcement of Punjab
Tenancy Act, 1887.
A person liable for an arrear of Land Revenue is called Defaulter.
An area for which a separate record-of-Rights has been made is called
Estate.
A piece of cloth on which the village map is drawn showing the position
and boundaries of every field is know as Shajra Parcha.
Lal Kitab is prepared for each Estate. Village note book is also known
asLal Kitab.
Sher Shah Suri introduced land record system in subcontinent first time.
Land record system was introduced in subcontinent in 1540.
Khatauni register is used for all persons cultivating or otherwise occupying land in
a village.Khatauni contains entries regarding Ownership, Cultivation and Various
rights in land.
Akbar's dahsala system is credited to Raja Todar Mal.
Raja Todar Mal served as a revenue officer under Sher Shah Suri.
British redesigned land record and revenue system in 1848.
The estimated average annual surplus produce of estate or group of estates
remaining after deduction of the ordinary expenses of cultivation is called Net Assets.
Ghalla Bakhshi (Crop-sharing): In some areas it was called bhaoli and
batai.
The share was decided when the crop was still standing in the fields, and
a division of the field was marked is called Khet batai.
The crop was cut and stacked in heaps without separating grain and a
division of crop in this form was made? Lang batai
The word kankut is derived from the words kan and kat. Kan denotes grain while
kat means to Estimate.
Sher Shah Suri had established a Rai or per bigha yield for lands which
were under continuous cultivation.
"If the peasant does not have the strength to bear Zabti, the practice of taking a
third of the crop as revenue is followed."
The statement of customs respecting rights or liabilities in the estate is called
Wajib-ul-Arz.
The report for mutation to the Patwari must be made within time of three
months.
What is the penalty for encroachment on any village road? imprisonment
for three months
The Board of Revenue is the custodian of the rights of Land holders.
Ryotwari system was introduced by Sher Shah Suri for purpose of Land revenue.
The revenue department during Sher Shah Suri was headed by a Wazir.
In the absence of fixation of inspection date by Board of Revenue, the
inspection of Kharif harvest shall commence on1st October.
In the absence of fixation of inspection date by Board of Revenue, the
inspection of Rabi harvest shall commence on1st March.
In the absence of fixation of inspection date by Board of Revenue the inspection of
Extra Rabi (Zaid Rabi) harvest shall commence on 15th March.
A village note book or Lal Kitab shall be prepared for each Estate.
A portion of crop which has failed to come to maturity is called Kharaba.
Board of Revenue Department maintained the land record in Pakistan.
Board of Revenue Departmen is the controlling authority in all matters connected
with the administration of land, collection of government dues including land taxes,
land revenue, preparation of land records and other matters relating thereto.
Lal Kitab comprises following statements Annual area, annual corps and annual
revenue account, Annual transfer of land and Annual sales and mortgages,
assessment.
Fixing the amount of and imposing land revenue upon an estate is called
Assessment.
Intiqal is the vernacular word for 'mutation'.
A group of estates forming a sub division of a district or Tehsil is called
Pargana.
Akbar changed to a decentralised system of annual assessment, but this resulted
in corruption among local officials and was abandoned in 1580.Akbar replaced old
revenue system with a system called Dahsala.
In Pakistan how many books and registers are used for land record? 190
million
In Pakistan how many land owners are there?50 million
No changes can be made in this record-set till next settlement which is
normally carried out after every 30-35 years.
Field Book contains the details of measurement of each field e.g. its length,
breadth, diagonal detail, and worked out total area.
The work of Patwari is supervised by a Kanungo.The work of Kanungo is
supervised by a Naib tehsildar and Tehsildar.
How many registers are being used by patwari? 17
The mutation register is also known as the Register Dakhil Kharij.
The shape of land measurement or survey shall be based on square
system or rectangulation.
The khewat is the number of owner's holdings which should be arranged in the
order in which the names of owners are given in the village? genealogical tree
In the case of towns where the genealogical trees are not in existence, the order of
khewat number is governed by Khasra Numbers.
Jamabandi are kept under the custody of Patwari.
khasra girdhawari register is used for harvest inspections.
Certified copies of land records like Khatauni/Jamabandi & Kharsa Gurdhawari can
be obtained by any person of any revenue record available in the office of Tehsildar.

Jamabandi is a document prepared as part of record-of-right of all persons owning
land in a village according to Punjab Land Record Manual. Jamabandi contains entries
regarding ownership, cultivation and various rights in land.
Field Map shows all the fields, duly measured and numbered in a Village.
What is Khata? Holding of a landlord
Collector can determine that what lands are included within the site of a town or
village.
The periodical record is prepared once in every four years is called.
A Collector cannot review the orders of his predecessor-in-office without first
obtaining the sanction of Commissioner.
The mutation register referred to in section 41, sub-section (3) of the Act is also
known as the Register Dakhil Kharij.
The Board or Revenue itself is subject to the administrative control of the
Provincial government.
Maintenance of Records of rights in cities and towns is a function of Board of
Revenue.
Survey number is also called as Khasra Number.
During Akbar period the process of land revenue collection has Two stages. Akbar's
dahsala system is credited to Raja Todar Mal. Akbar replaced old revenue system
with a system called Dahsala.
The Persian term for land revenue during the Mughal period was mal and mal
wajib.
Record of Khatauni is kept in the custody of: Halqua patwari.
Under the new system of Akbar, revenue was calculated as one-third of the
average produce of the previous 10 years, to be paid to the state in cash.
Major Functions of the Revenue Department are collection of land revenue,
transaction of land, maintenance of record of rights, conduct of girdawari, decision of
cases and appointment as local commission.
Which register is used for harvest inspections? khasra girdhawari
The land record data is maintained at Tehsil offices whereby record sets
are developed at the time of Settlement.
Field Map shows all the fields, duly measured and numbered in a Village.
For mutation any person must acquire any right in estate through Inheritance or
Gift, Purchase and Mortgage.
Patwari is a person acquiring any right in an estate as a land-owner should report
for mutation.
Board of Revenue can confer on any person the powers of Assistant
Collector.
A Collector cannot review the orders of his predecessor-in-office without
first obtaining the sanction of Commissioner.
What is meant by "Girdawari"? Inspection of Harvest
Register of crops inspection is Khasra Girdawari.
Assistant Collectors of the Second grade is the lowest authority in the
classification of Revenue Officers.
Local revenue administration of a Division has been entrusted to
Commissioner.
Assessment shall remain in force for a period of 25 years.
When the period of Kharif crop starts in Pakistan? May and June
What do you mean by Ret? Sand
Sarsahi is a unit of Area.
Sher Shah Suri had established for per bigha yield for lands which were
under continuous cultivation is called Rai.
The rai was based on 3 rates.
The work of Halqa patwari is supervised by a field Kanungo, whose main duties are
General Supervision over Patwari, Supervision over Village Maps and Checking of
patwari's records and statistics.
All the Mussavis of a village are drawn up conjointly on a cloth (Lattha)
for day-to-day use by the Patwari which is called Shajra Kishtwar.
Mussavi is developed at the time of Settlement.
The Government of the Punjab can confer on any person the powers of a
Commissioner or Collector.
Village Officers Cess can be imposed at such rate not exceeding five percent of the
Land Revenue.
Two types of Records are present in Land Revenue Act 1967.
Dam means Grain; What is bandi? It is fixing or determining anything
Land revenue is the revenue of the nature of a rent charged by the state
as Overlord of the land.
The revenue department during Sher Shah Suri was headed by a wazir,
who is responsible for all finances and management of jagir and inam lands
Akbar's dahsala system is credited to Raja Todar Mal, who also served as a
revenue officer under Sher Shah Suri
The Persian term for land revenue during the Mughal rule was mal and mal wajib.
Kharaj was not in regular use.
The process of land revenue collection has two stages: (a) Assessment
(tashkhis/jama) (b) Actual collection (hasil).
Assessment was made to fix the state demand. On the basis of this
demand, actual collection was done separately for kbarif and rabi crops.
Under the Mughals assessment was separately made for kharif and rabi
crops. After the assessment was over a written document called patta, qaul
or paul-e-qarar was issued in which the amount or the rate of the revenue
demand was mentioned.
Under the new system of Akbar, revenue was calculated as one-third of the
average produce of the previous ten years, to be paid to the state in cash.
The structure of the revenue administration was set out by the latter in a detailed
memorandum submitted to the Emperor Akbar in 1582-83
The Mughals used the mansabdar system to generate land revenue. The emperor
would grant revenue rights to a mansabdar in exchange for promises of soldiers in
wartime
In kankut, at first, the field was measured either by means of a rope or by pacing.
Sher Shah had established a rai or per bigha yield for lands which were under
continuous cultivation (polaj), or those land which very rarely allowed to lie fallow
(parauti).
The rai was based on three rates, representing good, middling and low
yields and one third of the sum of these was appropriated as land revenue.
Akbar adopted Sher Shah's rai. Akbar introduced his so-called karori experiment
and appointed karoris all aver North India in 1574-75.
"If the peasant does not have the strength to bear zabti, the practice of taking a
third of the crop as revenue is followed."This was an expensive method as a cess of
one dam per bigha known as zabitana was given to meet the costs towards the
maintenance of the measuring party;and Ijara syrtem or revenue farming war
another feature of the revenue system of that time.
In 1574-75, the office of karori was created.The karori was appointed by the diwan
of the province.
The next important revenue official was amin. The office of amin was created
during Shah Jahan's reign. His main function was to assess the revenue. He, too,
was appointed by the diwan. He was responsible jointly with the karori and faujdar
for the safe transit of the collected revenue. The faujdar of the province kept a
vigilant eye on the activities of amin and karori .
Qanungo was the local revenue official of the pargana, and generally belonged to
one of the accountant castes. It was a hereditary post, but an imperial order was
essential for the nomination of each new person.
The qanungoo was paid 1% of the total revenue as remuneration, but Akbar
started paying them salary.
The Chaudhari distributed and stood surety for the repayment of the taqavi loans.
Under Sher Shah, Shiqqdar was the incharge of revenue collection and maintained
law and order.
The muqaddam and patwari were village level officials.
The former was the village headman. In lieu of his services; he was allowed 2.5
percent of the total revenue collected by him.,
The patwari was to maintain records of the village land, the holdings of
the individual cultivators, variety of crops grown and details about fallow
land.
A tehsildar is a revenue administrative officer in Pakistan in charge of obtaining
taxation from a tehsil.
The term is of imperial Mughal origin made of "tahsil", an Islamic administrative
derived from Arabic, meaning "revenue generating; collection" and "dar", Persian for
"holder of a position", together meaning tax collector.
The deputy of a tehsildar is known as a naib tehsildar.
During British rule the tehsildar was a stipendiary officer of the government to
raise revenue.
In Pakistan a Tehsildar is responsible for obtaining revenue from a Tehsil, or
Taluka (as called in Sindh), which is then used by the district government.
A Tehsil is a sub-division of a District and will have multiple smaller administrative
units called 'Mouza' or 'Deh'. Typically a district will contain multiple Tehsils.
Tehsildar is a gazetted officer (class I)
TEHSILDAR is a principal Agent of Deputy Commissioner.He Collect of Govt Dues:
Abiana,,Agriculture Income Tax, Land Tax, Ushar, Local Rate, Stamp Duty - Mutation
Fees and Arrears. His other functions are Attestation of Mutation, Inspection of
Khasra Gardawari, Inspection of Preparation of Revenue Records, Disposal of
Partition Cases, Execution of Court Decrees, Conduct Inquiries of other official and
private cases, Attestation of Domicile, Duty Magistrate / Price Magistrate,Special
Duty (Flood, Earthquake etc), Special Inquiries, Duty in census and With election
commission of Pakistan, Acquisition of Land for Govt from the public through land
acquisition act, Reporting and Besides it, he decides the Lambardari cases.
The post of Additional Deputy Commissioner has been created to assist the Deputy
Commissioner in his day-to-day working. The Additional Deputy Commissioner
enjoys the same powers as that of Deputy Commissioner under the rules.Functions
of Additional Deputy Commissioner, With a view to lighten the enormously increasing
workload of the Deputy Commissioner, the post of Additional Deputy Commissioner
was created in the year 1979. He has been vested with the following powers under
the various Acts-within the limits of the district:-As Collector under the following Acts
o The Punjab Land Revenue Act,1887.
o The Punjab Occupancy Of Tenants(Vesting of Proprietary Rights)Act,1952.
o The Punjab Tenancy Act,1887.
o The Land Acquisition Act,1894.
o The Punjab Restitution of Mortgage Land Act,1938.
o The Punjab Village Common Land(Regulation) Act,1961.
o The Indian Stamp Act,1899.
Tehsildars are appointed by the Financial Commissioner, Revenue and Naib
Tehsildar by the Commissioner of the Division. Their duties within Tehsil /Sub Tehsil
are almost similar and manifold (except that partition cases are decided by
Tehsildar). They enjoy the powers of Executive Magistrate, Assistant Collector and
Sub Registrar/Joint Sub Registrar. Although there has been a recent move to appoint
full fledged Sub-registrar for some of the larger Tehsils. The Revenue duties of
Tehsildar are important. He is the Incharge of tehsil Revenue Agency and is
responsible for proper preparation and maintenance of tehsil Revenue Record and
Revenue Accounts. He is also responsible for recovery of government dues under the
various Acts. He is supposed to have proper control over the working of Patwaris and
Kanungos and for this purpose the Tehsildar and Naib Tehsildars make inspection of
patwaris and kanungos working under them.
Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildar in fact are called Revenue officers holding separate
circles and it is provided in para 242 of land Administration Manual that such allotted
circle should be changed every year on October first, so that the responsibility of the
Tehsildar for the whole of his charge may not be impaired. In Tehsil and Sub Tehsil,
as and when Treasury Officers are not posted, then the Tehsildar and Naib Tehsildar
work as Treasury Officer in addition to their own duties. Tehsildar also registers the
marriages solemnized.
The Kanungo establishment consists of field Kanungo, office Kanungo and the
District Kanungos. Its strength in each district can only be altered with the sanction
of the government.The field Kanungo should be constantly moving about his circle
supervising the work of Patwari on the spot, except in the month of September when
he stays at the Tehsil to check the Jamabandis received from the Patwaris. He also
disposes of the demarcation applications marked to him by the Circle Revenue
Officer. A field Kanungo is also responsible for the conduct and the work of the
Patwari under his charge and it is his duty to report the work or neglect of duty or
misconduct on the part of any Patwari.The office Kanungo is the Tehsildar Revenue
clerk and he is the custodian of all the record received from the patwari.The District
Kanungo is responsible for the efficiency of both the office and the field Kanungo and
should be in camp inspecting their work for at least 15 days in each month from first
October to 30th April. He is the keeper of all record received from Kanungo patwari,
at sadar office.
Patwari is an important and effective official of the lowest ebb in the Revenue
Agency. No efficient Revenue Administration of a district is possible unless the
patwari staff is strong, properly trained and strictly supervised.A Patwari has three
chief duties:- The maintenance of record of the crop grown at every harvest;the
keeping of the record of rights uptodate by the punctual record of mutations and the
account of preparation of statistical returns embodying the information derived from
the harvest inspections, register of mutation and record of rights.
The limits of "Patwar circle" is a matter for the Commissioner to decide under para
238 of Land Administration Manual.It is the responsibility of Patwari to report at once
all serious calamities affecting the land or the crops and all severe outbreaks of
diseases amongst men and beasts. He must aid the headman in revenue collection.
He keeps up a diary and a work book. The entries should be made on the day on
which the events come to the notice of the patwari.
The Patwari is responsible for the safe custody of all the records, maps and
equipments of his circle that are in his charge. In the work book the Patwari will
enter the work done by him on each day. His work is supervised by the field
Kanungo, Sadar Kanungo & Circle Revenue Officer.
Each Village is assigned to a particular halqwa patwari who maintains the record of
ownership of land(khatauni/Jamabardi), record of cultivation on the land (Kharsa
Girdawari), map of the village called 'Aks Sizra' mutation register and other records
of the village.
In every cropping season, ie. Kharif, Rabi & Zaid, the halqua patwari inspects
every field and records the cultivation data.
He also initiates mutation(ie. change in ownership) and gives certified copies of
land records.
The work of Halqa patwari is supervised by a field Kanungo, whose main duties are
:
o General Supervision over Patwari
o Supervision over Village Maps
o Checking of patwari's records and statistics
The work of Halqa patwari and Kanungo is further supervised by both the Naib
Tehsildar and Tehsildar. It is the duty of Naib Tehsildar and Tehsildar that the land
records are maintained correctly and all subordinate staff discharge their duties
efficiently and properly. It is also the duty of Tehsildar and Naib Tehsildar that
'Jamabandi' and 'Khatauni' are prepared as per the schedule given in the Act.
Above the Tehsildar in the Hierarchy are the Revenue Assisstant(ie.-SDM) and the
Collector(ie. Deputy Commissioner).
The record of ownership of land under the DLR Act 1954 is known as 'Khatauni'
and is prepared in form no. P-VI. In case of Punjab Land Revenue Act, the records of
ownership of land is known as 'Jamabandi'.
Khatauni is the register of all persons cultivating or otherwise occupying land in a
village as prescribed according to Delhi Land Revenue Rules. It is prepared in Form
P-VI. It is a document prepared as part of record-of-right in every estate. It contains
entries regarding ownership, cultivation and various rights in land. It is revised every
4 years when it is prepared by patwari and attested by Revenue officer.
JAMABANDI is a document prepared as part of record-of-right of all persons
owning land in a village according to Punjab Land Record Manual. It contains entries
regarding ownership, cultivation and various rights in land. It is revised every 4
years when it is prepared by patwari and attested by Revenue officer. The changes
of rights in land coming to the notice are reflected in the Jamabandi according to a
set procedure after verification by Revenue Officer.
Khatauni/Jamabandi are kept in the custody of halqua patwari. They are re-written
after every four years incorporating all the mutations (ie. charge of ownership) that
has taken place during the four year period. Khatauni/Jamabardi is the most
important document as far as ownership of agricultural land is concerned and one
must ensure when he buys a piece of land that his / her name is incorporated in
Khatauni/Jamabandi by way of mutation. There is a seperate khatauni/jamabandi for
each village.
KHASRA GIRDHAWARI : ( Record of Cultivation)
It is a register of harvest inspections. The patwari conducts the field harvest
inspections in the month of October, February & April, wherein he records facts
regarding crop grown, soil classification, cultivable capacity of the cultivators. The
first six monthly inspection starting from Ist October is called as Khariff girdhawari
while the second commencing from Ist February is called Rabi girdhawari. In the
month of april the "Zaid" girdhawari is done.
The entries made by the halqa patwari are verified by the field Kanungo Kharsa
Girdawari entries are made in form P-1V in case of Delhi Land Revenue Act 1954 and
in form no.11 in case of Punjab Land Revenue Act 1887.
Mutation indicates the changes that have to be brought about in ownership and
title of the land. Mutations are done on the basis of Sale deed, Inheritance, Gift
deed, Relinquish deed, Will etc.
Procedure for carrying out mutation
o Apply on a plain paper with a Non-judicial stamp of Rs.5 affixed on it.
o Application should be addressed to the Tehsildar of the area in which the land is
situated.
o Clearly mention the name of the village in which the right has been acquired & give
description of the land.
o The name, parentage, residence of the person from whom the right has been
acquired and the manner in which the right has been acquired.
o The name, parentage and residence of the person who has acquired the right.
o The date of acquiring the right.
o The application should be submitted along with copies of documents on the basis of
which the mutation is sought.
Process
o A proclamation is issued inviting objections to the proposed mutation and
specifying the date (being not less than 15 days from the date of the proclamation)
upto which any objection to the mutation will be entertained.
o Halqa patwari submits his report in prescribed format no.P-I
o Statement of parties are recorded
o Contents of documents are matched with the recorded statements
o If no objection is received, the mutation is sanctioned.
o If objection is received against the mutation application, the same is referred to
Revenue Assistant (SDM) of the area for taking appropriate decision. This is
applicable only in case of land governed by DLR Act 1954.
o Any party aggreived by an order of mutation may file appeal before Collector
(Deputy Commissioner / Additional District Magistrate) within 30 days of such order.
Certified copies of land records like Khatauni/Jamabandi & Kharsa Gurdhawari can
be obtained by any person of any revenue record available in the office of Tehsildar.
It can be obtained by applying in Form CA-I duly stamped with non-judicial stamp
and the certified copy is issued after locating the original record. Mostly the copies
are issued by In-charge of the Record Room. The certified copy is normally issued in
7 days time.
The applications for demarcation of land can be made to the Tehsildar concerned
after depositing the prescribed fees. The applications for demarcation in case of
boundary disputes shall be entertained by the Revenue Assistant (SDM), which
should be accompanied by a certified extract from the map and khasras on the basis
of which demarcation is sought. After obtaining application for demarcation, a notice
will be issued to the parties concerned in the demarcation. The demarcation is done
in presence of parties concerned by the Kanungo. Thereafter demarcation report is
submitted to the Tehsildar &Revenue Assisstant (RA) and shall be consigned to the
record room of Tehsil. Then parties concerned can obtain certified copy of
demarcation report from i/c Record Room.
Lambardar is the most important functionary in the village. His main function is to
keep watch over the law and order situation in his area and report the matter to the
nearest police station in case of breach of law. It is also his duty to collect the
revenue dues for Government from various sources and to remit these into treasury.
He is given 5 per cent of land revenue collection which is called pachotra. He is the
custodian of all government properties in the village. He also reports to the Tahsildar
about the deaths of assignees and pensioners and their absence for over a year.
Above all, he is the representative of Government in the village. He is assisted by a
village Chowkidar.
A tehsildar is a revenue administrative officer in Pakistan and India in charge of
obtaining taxation from a tehsil. The term is of imperial Mughal origin made of
"tahsil", an Islamic administrative derived from Arabic, meaning "revenue
generating; collection" and "dar", Persian for "holder of a position", together
meaning tax collector. The role of tehsildar continued during the period of British
Rule and was subsequently used by Pakistan and India following their independence
from the British. The deputy of a tehsildar is known as a naib tehsildar.
During British rule the tehsildar was a stipendiary officer of the government to
raise revenue, in the "History of the Colonies of the British Empire: From the Official
Records", Robert Montgomery Martin described local government as follows:
In Pakistan a Tehsildar is responsible for obtaining revenue from a Tehsil, or
Taluka (as called in Sindh), which is then used by the district government. A Tehsil is
a sub-division of a District and will have multiple smaller administrative units called
'Mouza' or 'Deh'. Typically a district will contain multiple Tehsils.
He is a gazetted officer (class I), a Tehsildar enjoys a fair amount of authority and
respect, especially in the rural and urban areas and is also tasked to forecast the
expected seasonal crop yields and classify and map the landuse in the respective
Tehsil.
A Tehsildar is also called a 'Mukhtiarkar' in Sindh.
Tehsildars are appointed by the Financial Commissioner, Revenue and Naib
Tehsildars by the Commissioner of the Division. Their Duties within Tehsil /Sub Tehsil
are almost similar and manifold (except that partition cases are decided by
Tehsildar). They enjoy the powers of Executive Magistrate, Assistant Collector and
Sub Registrar/Joint Sub Registrar. Although there has been a recent move to appoint
full fledged Sub-registrar for some of the larger Tehsils. The Revenue Duties of
Tehsildar are important. He is the In charge of tehsil Revenue Agency and is
responsible for proper preparation and maintenance of tehsil Revenue Record and
Revenue Accounts. He is also responsible for recovery of government dues under the
various Acts. He is supposed to have proper control over the working of Patwaris and
Kanungos and for this purpose the Tehsildar and Naib Tehsildars make inspection of
patwaris and kanungos working under them.
Halqua Patwari or Lekhpaal: Each Village is assigned to a particular halqwa patwari
who maintains the record of ownership of land(khatauni/Jamabardi), record of
cultivation on the land (Kharsa Girdawari), map of the village called 'Aks Sizra'
mutation register and other records of the village. In every cropping season, ie.
Kharif, Rabi & Zaid, the halqua patwari inspects every field and records the
cultivation data. He also initiates mutation(ie. change in ownership) and gives
certified copies of land records.
Registrar Kanungo: The work of Lekhpaal is supervised by a Reg. Kanungo, whose
main duties are :

o General Supervision over Patwari
o Supervision over Village Maps
o Checking of patwari's records and statistics
Naib Tehsildar & Tehsildar: The work of Lekhpaal and Reg. Kanungo is further
supervised by both the Naib Tehsildar and Tehsildar. It is the duty of Naib Tehsildar
and Tehsildar that the land records are maintained correctly and all subordinate staff
discharge their duties efficiently and properly. It is also the duty of Tehsildar and
Naib Tehsildar that 'Khatauni' are prepared as per the schedule given in the Act.
Khatauni: Khatauni is the register of all persons cultivating or otherwise occupying
land in a village as prescribed according to Uttar Pradesh Land Revenue Rules. It is
prepared in Form P-VI. It is a document prepared as part of record-of-right. It
contains entries regarding ownership, cultivation and various rights in land. It is
revised every 6 years. This duration of six years is called Fasli-year.
Khasra: (Record of Cultivation): It is a register of harvest inspections(parhtaal).
The Lekhpaal conducts the field harvest inspections in the month of October,
February & April, wherein he records facts regarding crop grown, soil classification,
cultivable capacity of the cultivators. The first six monthly inspection starting from
Ist October is called as "Khariff" parhtaal while the second commencing from Ist
February is called "Rabi" parhtaal. In the month of april the "Zaid" parhtaal is done.

Measurements of land Linear Measure
1 inch = 2.54 centimetres
1 foot = 30.48 centimetres
1 yard = 91.44 centimetres
1 mile =1.61 kilometres
1 Ghatta = 8.25 feet

Square Measure
1 square foot = 0.093 square metre
1 square yard = 0.836 square metre
1 square mile = 2.59 square kilometre = 259 hectares
1 acre = 0.405 hectares
1 Acre = 4 Bigha 16 Biswa (4840 Sq.Yds)
1 Bigha = 20 Biswas (1008 Sq.Yds)
1 Biswa = 50 Sq.Yards

The following are the basic measurements of land used in Punjab, Pakistan and
Punjab, India in ascending order.
- 1 karam is 5.5 feet
- 1 marla is 9 Sq karams (272.25 sq ft)
- 1 kanaal is 20 marlas (5,445 sq ft)
- 1 keela is 8 kanaals (43,560 sq ft = 1 acre)
- 1 marabba is 25 keelas (1,089,000 sq ft = 25 acres)

A keela is measured rectangularly, reckoned as an area 36 karams x 40 karams, or
198 feet x 220 feet = 43,560 square feet.
Kothis are measured in marlas and kanaals. Most are 2-4 kanaals but the big ones
can be anything from 4-6 kanaals.
A couple of older measures:

1 biswa = 15 Sq karams; 12 biswas = 1 kanaal
1 bigha = 20 biswas - 1008 Sq Yards - 842.68 Sq Mtr

In land transaction the acre is often used to express areas of land. Land records are
written in metric system. An acre is approximately 40% of a hectare.
The measurement of agricultural land was carried in British Units. The units used for
land measurement were as follows:

12 inches = 1 foot
3 feet = 1 yard
9 Square Feet = 1 square yard
121Square yard = 1 Guntha
40 Gunthas = 1 acre

In so many village maps you might have seen scale as a for example 1Inch=10
Chain.
You have to convert chain into feet as follows:
1 Chain = 66 feet or 22 yards
10 chains = 1 furlong
1 furlong = 201.168 Metres

The land is now measured in Metric System using following decimal table.
1000 Millimeters = 1 Metre
100 Square Metres = 1 Are
100 Ares = 1 Hector

In 1958, the United States and countries of the Commonwealth of Nations defined
the length of the international yard to be 0.9144 meters. Consequently, the
international acre is exactly 4,046.8564224 square meters. Accordingly
1 Hector = 2.47 acres (approximately)

In the Village Form VII-XII when you read in the "area column numbers for
example
01-34-21 it means
01 = 10000 Square Metres
34 = 3400 Square Metres
21 = 21 Square Metres
Total = 13421 Square Metres

Conversion Table
1 Inch = 2.54 Centimetre
36 Inches = 1 yard
1 yard = 91.44 Centimetres
1 yard = 00.9144 Metres
1 Centimetre = 00.393 inches
100 Centimetres = 39.3 inches
1 Metre = 3.28 ft
1 acre = 1 furlong X 1 chain
1 acre = 660 ft X 66 ft
1 acre = 43560 Sq. ft.
1 acre = 4840 square yards
1 acre = 4046.8564224 Square Metres
1 hectare = 10,000 Square Metre
1 hectare = 107,639 sq ft
1 hectare = 11959.8 sq. yards (1 sq. yard = 0.83612736 sq. Metre)
1 hectare = 11959.8/4840 = 2.47 acre