Land Records Glossary
Understanding Haryana land record terminology — in plain English for NRIs.
Jamabandi(जमाबंदी)
The primary land record in Haryana (also called the Record of Rights or RoR). It contains details about landholding, ownership, cultivator rights, area, revenue assessments, and any recorded liabilities. Updated periodically by the revenue department. Essential for verifying ownership claims.
Mutation(दाखिल खारिज)
The process of updating land records when ownership transfers (via sale, inheritance, gift, etc.). After a property sale, mutation should be recorded in the revenue records to reflect the new owner. Without mutation, the buyer's name won't appear in official land records.
Khasra(खसरा)
A unique survey number assigned to each parcel of land in a village. The Khasra number helps identify a specific plot in revenue records. Different from urban plot numbers or house numbers.
Khata / Khewat(खाता / खेवट)
The account number of the landowner in revenue records. It groups all land parcels owned by a single owner or co-owners in a village. Each Khata can contain multiple Khasra numbers.
Khatauni(खतौनी)
The cultivator's account number, indicating who has cultivation rights. May differ from the owner (Khewat holder) in cases of tenancy or lease. Also used interchangeably with Jamabandi in some contexts.
Registry / Sale Deed(रजिस्ट्री)
The legal document that records the sale of property. Must be registered with the Sub-Registrar's office to be legally valid. Includes details of buyer, seller, property, price, and terms. Essential for proving a transaction occurred.
Encumbrance(भार)
A claim or liability attached to a property, such as a mortgage, lien, or loan. Properties with encumbrances have restrictions on transfer. An Encumbrance Certificate (EC) shows recorded encumbrances for a specified period.
Lien
A legal right of a creditor to hold or sell a property if the owner fails to repay a debt. Bank loans against property typically create a lien that appears in land records.
Patwari(पटवारी)
The village-level revenue official responsible for maintaining land records, including Jamabandi. The Patwari updates records after mutations and maintains the official register of land holdings.
Tehsil / Tehsildar(तहसील)
An administrative subdivision of a district. Haryana's 22 districts are divided into multiple tehsils. Land records are organized by tehsil. The Tehsildar is the revenue officer in charge of a tehsil.
Fard(फर्द)
A copy or extract of land records, especially Jamabandi. "Fard" essentially means an official copy. Required for various property transactions and legal purposes.
Girdawari(गिरदावरी)
The periodic field inspection and crop recording done by the Patwari. It documents what crops are being grown and who is cultivating the land. Used as evidence of possession.
Intikaal(इंतकाल)
Another term for mutation — the transfer of ownership rights in revenue records. "Intikaal" specifically refers to transfers due to inheritance or succession.
Bhu-Naksha(भू-नक्शा)
The cadastral map showing plot boundaries and Khasra numbers. Available online in Haryana. Useful for understanding the physical location and boundaries of a plot.
Land Use
The official classification of how land can be used — agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial, etc. Changing land use requires government permission and affects the property's value and development potential.
NOC (No Objection Certificate)
A certificate from relevant authorities confirming no objection to a property transaction or development. May be required from various departments depending on the transaction type.
Chain of Title
The sequence of historical ownership transfers for a property, from the current owner back through previous owners. A clear, unbroken chain provides confidence in ownership claims.
Power of Attorney (PoA)(मुख्तार)
A legal document authorizing one person to act on behalf of another in property matters. Common in NRI transactions. General PoA is broad; Specific PoA is limited to defined transactions.