Land Measurement Units in Himachal Pradesh - Complete Guide
Learn about land measurement units in Himachal Pradesh including Bigha, Biswa, Biswansi, Kanal, and Marla. Comprehensive guide with conversion tables for HP land measurements.
Introduction to Land Measurement in Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh, a beautiful hill state in northern India, uses a unique system of land measurement units that combines traditional Pahari measures with those inherited from British-era land revenue systems. Understanding these units is essential for property transactions, agricultural dealings, and real estate investments in the state.
The most commonly used land measurement units in Himachal Pradesh are Bigha, Biswa, Biswansi, Kanal, and Marla. This guide provides comprehensive information about these units with accurate conversion tables.
Common Land Measurement Units in Himachal Pradesh
Quick Reference Table
| Unit | In Square Feet | In Square Meters | In Square Yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biswansi | 9.07 | 0.84 | 1.01 |
| Biswa | 181.5 | 16.86 | 20.17 |
| Bigha | 907.5 | 84.3 | 100.83 |
| Marla | 272.25 | 25.29 | 30.25 |
| Kanal | 5,445 | 505.86 | 605 |
Note: Land measurement units can vary slightly between different districts of Himachal Pradesh. The values above are the most commonly used standards.
Bigha (बीघा) - Primary Land Unit in HP
Bigha is the most widely used land measurement unit in Himachal Pradesh for agricultural and residential land transactions.
Himachal Pradesh Bigha Standard
In Himachal Pradesh, the Bigha is smaller compared to other North Indian states:
1 Bigha (HP) = 5 Biswa = 907.5 square feet
This is significantly smaller than the Punjab Bigha (9,070 sq ft) or Bihar Bigha (27,225 sq ft).
Bigha Conversions in Himachal Pradesh
| From | To | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bigha | Square Feet | 907.5 sq ft |
| 1 Bigha | Square Meters | 84.3 sq m |
| 1 Bigha | Square Yards | 100.83 sq yd |
| 1 Bigha | Biswa | 5 Biswa |
| 1 Bigha | Biswansi | 100 Biswansi |
| 1 Bigha | Marla | 3.33 Marla |
| 1 Bigha | Kanal | 0.167 Kanal |
Bigha to Acre Conversion
1 Acre = 48 Bigha (approximately in HP)
1 Bigha = 0.0208 Acre
Biswa (बिस्वा) - Sub-unit of Bigha
Biswa is a crucial land measurement unit in Himachal Pradesh, serving as a sub-division of Bigha.
Biswa Conversions
| From | To | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Biswa | Square Feet | 181.5 sq ft |
| 1 Biswa | Square Meters | 16.86 sq m |
| 1 Biswa | Square Yards | 20.17 sq yd |
| 1 Biswa | Biswansi | 20 Biswansi |
| 5 Biswa | Bigha | 1 Bigha |
Biswa Calculation Formula
1 Biswa = 1/5 Bigha = 181.5 square feet
1 Biswa = 20 Biswansi
Biswansi (बिस्वांसी) - Smallest Traditional Unit
Biswansi is the smallest traditional land measurement unit used in Himachal Pradesh, representing a fraction of a Biswa.
Biswansi Conversions
| From | To | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Biswansi | Square Feet | 9.07 sq ft |
| 1 Biswansi | Square Meters | 0.84 sq m |
| 1 Biswansi | Square Yards | 1.01 sq yd |
| 20 Biswansi | Biswa | 1 Biswa |
| 100 Biswansi | Bigha | 1 Bigha |
Understanding the Hierarchy
1 Bigha = 5 Biswa = 100 Biswansi
1 Biswa = 20 Biswansi
Kanal (कनाल) - For Larger Land Parcels
Kanal is used for measuring larger land parcels in Himachal Pradesh, especially in regions closer to Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.
Kanal Conversions
| From | To | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kanal | Square Feet | 5,445 sq ft |
| 1 Kanal | Square Meters | 505.86 sq m |
| 1 Kanal | Square Yards | 605 sq yd |
| 1 Kanal | Marla | 20 Marla |
| 1 Kanal | Bigha | 6 Bigha |
| 8 Kanal | Acre | 1 Acre |
Kanal in Different Regions
Kanal is particularly common in:
- Una District - Border with Punjab
- Kangra District - Larger agricultural lands
- Hamirpur District - Land transactions
Marla (मरला) - Urban and Semi-Urban Unit
Marla is commonly used for urban plots and residential properties in Himachal Pradesh.
Marla Conversions
| From | To | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Marla | Square Feet | 272.25 sq ft |
| 1 Marla | Square Meters | 25.29 sq m |
| 1 Marla | Square Yards | 30.25 sq yd |
| 20 Marla | Kanal | 1 Kanal |
| 160 Marla | Acre | 1 Acre |
Marla in Real Estate
In Shimla, Dharamshala, and other urban areas:
Common plot sizes: 2 Marla, 4 Marla, 8 Marla
1 Marla plot = 272.25 sq ft = approximately 16.5 ft × 16.5 ft
Land Measurement Comparison Chart
| Square Feet | Biswansi | Biswa | Bigha | Marla | Kanal | Acre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.11 | 0.0055 | 0.0011 | 0.0037 | 0.00018 | 0.000023 |
| 9.07 | 1 | 0.05 | 0.01 | 0.033 | 0.0017 | 0.00021 |
| 181.5 | 20 | 1 | 0.2 | 0.67 | 0.033 | 0.0042 |
| 907.5 | 100 | 5 | 1 | 3.33 | 0.167 | 0.021 |
| 272.25 | 30 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 1 | 0.05 | 0.0063 |
| 5,445 | 600 | 30 | 6 | 20 | 1 | 0.125 |
| 43,560 | 4,800 | 240 | 48 | 160 | 8 | 1 |
District-Wise Variations
Land measurement practices can vary across Himachal Pradesh districts:
Shimla and Central Districts
- Primary units: Bigha, Biswa, Biswansi
- Usage: Agricultural and residential land
- Standard: 1 Bigha = 5 Biswa = 907.5 sq ft
Kangra and Lower Districts
- Primary units: Bigha, Biswa, Kanal, Marla
- Usage: Mix of Pahari and Punjab systems
- Note: Some areas use larger Bigha variants
Kinnaur and Tribal Areas
- Primary units: Bigha, Biswa
- Special considerations: Traditional tribal land systems
- Government records: Hectares and acres
Government Land Records in Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh Revenue Department
The HP Revenue Department maintains land records using:
- Jamabandi (Record of Rights): Shows land area in Bigha-Biswa-Biswansi
- Mutation Records: Land transfer documents
- Shajra (Field Map): Survey maps with measurements
HimBhoomi Portal
The HimBhoomi online portal provides:
- Land record verification
- Ownership details
- Area in traditional and metric units
- Jamabandi nakal (copy)
Important Conversions for Official Documents
1 Hectare = 2.47 Acres = 11.86 Kanal = 118.6 Bigha (HP)
1 Acre = 43,560 sq ft = 48 Bigha (HP) = 8 Kanal
Practical Tips for Land Measurement
1. Verify the Local Standard
Before any transaction, verify which measurement standard is being used:
- Check district revenue office records
- Confirm with local patwari (land revenue officer)
- Get measurements in both traditional and metric units
2. Common Conversions to Remember
1 Bigha (HP) = 5 Biswa = 100 Biswansi = 907.5 sq ft
1 Kanal = 20 Marla = 6 Bigha = 5,445 sq ft
1 Acre = 48 Bigha = 8 Kanal = 43,560 sq ft
3. Price Calculations
When calculating land prices in Himachal Pradesh:
Per Bigha price → Per Acre = Price × 48
Per Marla price → Per Kanal = Price × 20
Per Biswa price → Per Bigha = Price × 5
4. Beware of Regional Differences
Some regions may use different Bigha standards. Always:
- Ask for square feet or square meter equivalents
- Get official measurement from revenue department
- Verify with physical survey if possible
Land Rates in Major Districts (Reference)
Land prices vary significantly based on location:
Urban Areas (Per Marla)
- Shimla (City): Premium rates
- Dharamshala: Tourist area premium
- Manali: High demand area
- Solan: Industrial and residential
Rural Agricultural Land (Per Bigha)
- Kangra Valley: Moderate rates
- Mandi District: Agricultural rates
- Una District: Accessible areas
- Kullu Valley: Orchard land premium
Frequently Asked Questions
1 बीघा में कितने बिस्वा होते हैं? (How many Biswa in 1 Bigha?)
1 Bigha = 5 Biswa in Himachal Pradesh standard.
1 बीघा कितने स्क्वायर फीट होता है? (How many square feet in 1 Bigha?)
1 Bigha = 907.5 square feet in Himachal Pradesh (smaller than other states).
1 कनाल में कितने मरला होते हैं? (How many Marla in 1 Kanal?)
1 Kanal = 20 Marla standard across Himachal Pradesh.
1 बिस्वांसी कितना होता है? (What is 1 Biswansi?)
1 Biswansi = 9.07 square feet. It is 1/20th of a Biswa or 1/100th of a Bigha.
What is the difference between HP Bigha and Punjab Bigha?
- HP Bigha: 907.5 sq ft (smaller)
- Punjab Bigha: 9,070 sq ft (10 times larger) Always clarify which standard is being used in border areas.
Conclusion
Understanding land measurement units in Himachal Pradesh is crucial for property transactions in this hill state. The key units to remember are:
- Bigha (बीघा) - 907.5 sq ft - Primary unit (note: HP Bigha is smaller)
- Biswa (बिस्वा) - 181.5 sq ft - 1/5th of a Bigha
- Biswansi (बिस्वांसी) - 9.07 sq ft - Smallest traditional unit
- Kanal (कनाल) - 5,445 sq ft - For larger parcels
- Marla (मरला) - 272.25 sq ft - Urban plots
Always verify measurements with official revenue department records and be aware that the Himachal Pradesh Bigha is significantly smaller than in other North Indian states.
Use our Land Area Converter to easily convert between these Himachal Pradesh land measurement units and get accurate results instantly.