khasra

Khasra is a term used in the land revenue system of South Asia to refer to a specific parcel of land within a village. It designates a unique number assigned to a plot in the revenue records, and is used to identify land for taxation, transfer, and management. The term is commonly used in India and Pakistan; in Indian states the corresponding records are often called jamabandi or khatauni, and the maps are known as khasra maps.

A khasra entry typically records: khasra number, area (in units such as bigha, acres, or kanals), nature of land (cultivable, barren, forest), tenure status (owner, tenant, lessee), occupant's name, and any mutation or sale history. The data is accompanied by a map showing the plot boundaries with measurements. The khasra number thus serves as a precise reference for the parcel within the village.

Maintenance and use: Revenue departments update khasra records as land transactions occur or boundaries are clarified. The khasra number helps in calculating land tax and in assessing rights, occupancy, and transfer. Buyers and lenders often verify the khasra number in the jamabandi or equivalent record to confirm title, but the khasra entry itself is not a title deed.

Limitations and disputes: Errors in khasra, boundary disputes, or inconsistencies between maps and records are typically resolved through revenue courts or civil courts. Corrections require mutation in the jamabandi and updating the associated khasra maps to reflect any changes in ownership or area.