Bigha in Punjab: The Definitive Regional Disambiguation Guide
Key Facts & Revenue Parameters
- Mohali / Standard Bigha
- 21,780 sq ft (0.5 acre)
- Rajpura / Patiala Katcha Bigha
- 9,075 sq ft (0.2083 acre)
- Ludhiana Pakka Bigha
- 27,225 sq ft (0.625 acre)
- Majha / Amritsar Bigha
- 10,000 sq ft (0.2296 acre)
- Doaba Bigha
- 16,531.25 sq ft (0.3795 acre)
- Kapurthala Bigha
- 7,290 sq ft (0.1673 acre)
Conversion Formula & Worked Example
Worked Example: 10 bigha in Ludhiana = 272,250 sq ft; 10 bigha in Mohali = 217,800 sq ft; 10 bigha in Rajpura = 90,750 sq ft.
Common Conversion Values: Bigha to Square Foot
| Bigha | Square Foot | Square Feet Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bigha | 21,780 Square Feet | 21,780 sq ft |
| 2 Bigha | 43,560 Square Feet | 43,560 sq ft |
| 3 Bigha | 65,340 Square Feet | 65,340 sq ft |
| 4 Bigha | 87,120 Square Feet | 87,120 sq ft |
| 5 Bigha | 1,08,900 Square Feet | 1,08,900 sq ft |
| 6 Bigha | 1,30,680 Square Feet | 1,30,680 sq ft |
| 7 Bigha | 1,52,460 Square Feet | 1,52,460 sq ft |
| 8 Bigha | 1,74,240 Square Feet | 1,74,240 sq ft |
| 9 Bigha | 1,96,020 Square Feet | 1,96,020 sq ft |
| 10 Bigha | 2,17,800 Square Feet | 2,17,800 sq ft |
| 15 Bigha | 3,26,700 Square Feet | 3,26,700 sq ft |
| 20 Bigha | 4,35,600 Square Feet | 4,35,600 sq ft |
| 25 Bigha | 5,44,500 Square Feet | 5,44,500 sq ft |
| 50 Bigha | 10,89,000 Square Feet | 10,89,000 sq ft |
| 100 Bigha | 21,78,000 Square Feet | 21,78,000 sq ft |
| 500 Bigha | 1,08,90,000 Square Feet | 1,08,90,000 sq ft |
| 1000 Bigha | 2,17,80,000 Square Feet | 2,17,80,000 sq ft |
Regional Variations Across Punjab Revenue Systems
| System & Region | Karam | 1 Marla | 1 Kanal | 1 Bigha | Kanals / Acre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mohali / Standard Punjab Mohali / Tricity and all urban Punjab (System A) | 66 in | 272.25 sq ft | 5,445 sq ft | 21,780 sq ft | 8.00 kanal |
Rajpura / Patiala Katcha Bigha Rajpura, Banur, Dera Bassi, Lalru, Patiala, Nabha, Malerkotla, Fazilka (System B) | 57.157 in | 226.88 sq ft | 4,538 sq ft | 9,075 sq ft | 9.60 kanal |
Doaba Region Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Anandpur Sahib (System C) | 57.5 in | 206.64 sq ft | 4,133 sq ft | 16,531 sq ft | 10.54 kanal |
Majha Region Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, Faridkot (System D) | 60 in | 225.00 sq ft | 4,500 sq ft | 10,000 sq ft | 9.68 kanal |
Kapurthala State Kapurthala (System E) | 54 in | 182.25 sq ft | 3,645 sq ft | 7,290 sq ft | 11.95 kanal |
Ludhiana Pakka Bigha Ludhiana (System F) | 99 in | 272.25 sq ft | 5,445 sq ft | 27,225 sq ft | 8.00 kanal |
The Bigha Confusion in Punjab Real Estate
The term 'bigha' is widely used across agricultural land markets in Punjab, but its physical area depends entirely on the district revenue jurisdiction. While buyers assuming a single standard face confusion, revenue records strictly adhere to regional settlement definitions.
District-by-District Bigha Breakdown
1. Mohali & Tricity (21,780 sq ft): Standard 66-inch karam. 2 bigha = 1 acre. 2. Rajpura & Patiala (9,075 sq ft): Patiala katcha bigha. 4.8 bigha = 1 acre. 3. Ludhiana (27,225 sq ft): Pakka bigha. 1.6 bigha = 1 acre. 4. Majha (10,000 sq ft): 60-inch karam. 4.356 bigha = 1 acre. 5. Doaba (16,531.25 sq ft): 57.5-inch karam bigha.
Valuation Impact
Comparing price per bigha across district borders without adjusting for square footage results in distorted financial projections. Always convert bighas to square feet or acres before completing negotiations.
Statutory Citations & Source Documentation
- Punjab Land Records Manual (3rd Edition, 2004)(Department of Revenue, Punjab)
Verified Statistic: The size of 1 bigha in Punjab varies by up to 200 percent depending on whether the land is in Rajpura (9,075 sq ft), Mohali (21,780 sq ft), or Ludhiana (27,225 sq ft).
Provenance: Conversion factors sourced from the Punjab Land Records Manual, 3rd edition, 2004. Last verified 26 July 2026.
"Revenue practice varies by tehsil and by whether the area was consolidated. Before any registry, confirm the conversion against the jamabandi and the local patwari record."
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there different bigha sizes in Punjab?
Different historical land settlement systems used different measuring rod (karam/gatha) lengths across British territories and princely states.
Which bigha is used in Mohali and Chandigarh?
Mohali and Chandigarh use the 21,780 sq ft standard bigha (System A), where 2 bigha equal 1 acre.
Which bigha is used in Rajpura, Banur and Patiala?
Rajpura, Banur and Patiala use the 9,075 sq ft katcha bigha (System B), where 4.8 bigha equal 1 acre.
What is a pakka bigha in Ludhiana?
In Ludhiana, a pakka bigha is 27,225 sq ft (3,025 sq yd), where 1.6 bigha equal 1 acre.
How do I know which bigha standard applies to my land deal?
Check the tehsil where the property is registered and consult the revenue settlement notes in the jamabandi.
How does bigha convert to acres across districts?
Mohali: 2 bigha = 1 acre. Rajpura: 4.8 bigha = 1 acre. Ludhiana: 1.6 bigha = 1 acre. Majha: 4.356 bigha = 1 acre.