Those exploring investments in farmland in India, would come across a whole wide range of land revenue terms through the course of their investment journey. One term that they would probably hear and must have a proper understanding of, is Khatauni, also spelt as khetawni.
What is Khatauni?
The Khatauni (खतौनी) number is an important tool, to check the status of land ownership, especially in rural parts of India. At the time of sale and purchase of land in India, the Khatauni number plays a crucial role, as it carries all the important information regarding the land.
A type of account number, Khatauni provides information about the land-holding pattern within a family. These pieces of land can be together, or in different places. A legal document, the khatauni provides information about a land, its Khasra number, the number of people owning it, its total area, etc. Khatauni also has the details of all the Khasras owned by a land owner. In other words, Khatauni is the record of all the Khasras owned by a family. It can also be seen as a register of people cultivating or occupying the land in question.
Khatauni origin
The concept of Khatauni in India is rooted in the Mughal era’s administrative practices when systematic land records were established to streamline revenue collection and governance.
During this period, the administration introduced detailed documentation to record land ownership, cultivation patterns, and revenue obligations. This systematisation was essential for efficient tax collection and resource management.
Khatauni emerged as a crucial document within this framework, serving as a register that consolidated information about all land parcels (Khasras) owned or cultivated by a family or individual. It provided a comprehensive view of landholdings, detailing the extent of land, ownership rights, types of crops grown, and associated revenue liabilities. This consolidation facilitated transparent and efficient land administration, ensuring landowners and cultivators were accurately recorded for taxation and legal purposes.
Over time, the Khatauni has maintained its significance in India’s land revenue system. It remains a vital record for verifying land ownership, resolving disputes, and planning agricultural activities. The historical importance of Khatauni lies in its role in establishing a structured approach to land management, which has been integral to India’s agrarian economy and governance.
Khatauni: Key terminologies
Let’s have a look at the key terms related to Khatauni:
| Term | Explanation |
| P-II Form | A land record form used to document individual plots of land (Khasra) in rural areas. It provides information about ownership, area, and usage. |
| B-I Form | A record form associated with Khatauni, detailing consolidated information about all Khasra numbers owned or cultivated by a person or family. |
| Fasli Year | A harvest-based calendar system introduced during the Mughal era, used to align agricultural activities with revenue collection cycles. |
| Khasra | A unique number assigned to each plot of land, providing details about its boundaries, area, and usage. |
| Khata | An account number assigned to co-owners of a single plot, summarizing their ownership shares and landholding rights. |
Difference between Khasra and Khatauni
While a particular piece of land is known through its Khasra number, the details of all the Khasras of a particular person or family is known as Khatauni. That way, a Khasra number is just a unit while a Khatauni is a record of several units.
Another difference between the two is that the Khasra is made in P-II form while Khatauni is made in B-I form. While the former has 12 columns, the latter has 23 columns.
See also: What is Khasra (ख़सरा) number?
Are khatauni and khetawni same?
Yes, Khatauni and Khetawni are the same. “Khatauni” is the more commonly used term, while “Khetawni” is an alternative spelling. Both refer to the same document or record that details the ownership and cultivation of land across different Khasra numbers in rural areas.
Difference between khatauni and khewat?
Khatauni and Khewat are related but serve different purposes. Khatauni is a record that lists all the Khasra numbers (individual plots) owned or cultivated by a family or individual, providing a comprehensive view of landholdings and cultivation details. Khewat, on the other hand, is an account number assigned to co-owners of a single plot, detailing their respective ownership shares and rights. While Khatauni covers multiple plots and focuses on cultivation, Khewat deals with ownership specifics for a particular plot among multiple landholders.
Note: The Khewat and Khata numbers essentially refer to the same concept, with the terms used interchangeably in different regions. Both represent an account number assigned to landowners, especially in rural areas, to record ownership details.
How to get Khatauni/khetwani number?
While you could visit the village tehsil or the jan-suvidha centres to get the Khatauni details, you could also visit the official website of the revenue department concerned to obtain the information, as most states currently provide it online.
This information is available on Bhulekh websites of the state concerned. For example, to get the Khatauni details in Uttar Pradesh, you could visit the official website, http://upbhulekh.gov.in/. The information could be obtained by filling in simple details, such as the district, tehsil name, etc.
Here is the detailed step-by-step information on how to get Khatauni details online using the Bhulekh portal
Step 1: Open any web browser on a desktop or mobile device and search for “Bhulekh”
Step 2: On the Bhulekh website, search for the option to check Khatauni nakal (खतौनी (अधिकार अभिलेख) की नक़ल देखे).
Step 3: Fill out the captcha code. If you cannot understand the captcha code, you can click on the refresh button to get a new code.
Step 4: On the next screen, you will be given the option to select your district (जनपद). Click on your district (जनपद) to proceed.
Step 5: Upon selecting your district, on the same screen, you will have to select your tehsil. Click on your tehsil name to proceed.
Step 6: Next, you will have to select the name of your village (panchayat). Click on your village panchayat name to proceed.
Step 7: Enter khasra number details. On the next screen, you will be prompted to enter your khasra number details. You can also search for Khatauni using other options such as using account number (खाता संख्या), or search by account holder name (खातेदार के नाम द्वारा), or by transfer date (नामांतरण दिनांक से खोजें)
Step 8: Once you have submitted the required details, you will be taken to a new page where you will again need to enter the captcha code as displayed on the screen.
Step 9: Once you have submitted the captcha code, all the Khatauni details will be available to you.
Details you will find in Khetwani/khatauni
Through the khatauni nakal, you can the details such as:
| Village name | ग्राम का नाम |
| District name | जनपद |
| Sub-district name | तहसील |
| Pargana | परगना |
| Fasli year | फसली वर्ष |
| Khata number | खाता संख्या |
| Land type | श्रेणी |
| Account holders name | खातेदार का नाम |
| Father/Husband/Guardian Name | पिता पति संरक्षक का नाम / निवास स्थान |
| Address | निवास स्थान |
| Survey Number | खसरा संख्या |
| Area | क्षेत्रफल |
| Order | आदेश |
| Remarks | टिप्पणी |
Where to get Khatauni details?
Here is a list of some of the states where you could get Khatauni details of land online:
Andhra Pradesh: meebhoomi.ap.gov.in
Bihar: lrc.bih.nic.in
Chhattisgarh: bhuiyan.cg.nic.in
Gujarat: anyror.gujarat.gov.in
Haryana: http://jamabandi.nic.in
Himachal Pradesh: lrc.hp.nic.in
Karnataka: landrecords.karnataka.gov.in
Kerala: erekha.kerala.gov.in
Madhya Pradesh: mpbhulekh.gov.in
Maharashtra: bhulekh.mahabhumi.gov.in
Odisha: bhulekh.ori.nic.in
Punjab: http://jamabandi.punjab.gov.in/
Rajasthan: apnakhata.raj.nic.in
Uttarakhand: BhuLekh.uk.gov.in
Tamil Nadu: eservices.tn.gov.in
See also: How to check land records online on Bhulekh Odisha website?
Difference between khasra number, khata number, and khatauni number
| Term | Description | Details |
| Khasra Number | Assigned to individual plots of land in rural areas. | Essential for ownership rights; changes with sale, gift, or division of the plot. |
| Khata Number | Provided to co-owners of a plot; details ownership and land held by joint owners. | This includes information on the land owned by all joint landholders; changes will be made if the plot is sold. |
| Khatauni Number | Assigned to cultivators who manage or till land across different Khasra numbers. | Represents the aggregate of multiple Khasra numbers for a family or individual; used to track cultivation records. |
Khatauni in English
In English, “Khatauni” refers to a land record or document that contains details of land ownership and agricultural plots. It is used primarily in India to maintain records of rural land, showing the names of landowners, their shares, and any changes in ownership or cultivation rights.
How to verify the authenticity of a khatauni document?
Verifying the authenticity of a Khatauni document is crucial to ensure legitimate land ownership and prevent fraudulent activities. Here’s how you can verify a Khatauni document and detect potential fraudulent entries:
1. Access official land records portals
Most Indian states have digitised their land records, allowing individuals to verify Khatauni details online. For instance, in Uttar Pradesh, you can visit the Bhulekh UP portal to access land records. By entering specific details such as district, tehsil, and village, you can retrieve the official Khatauni records and cross-verify them with the physical document in question.
2. Examine document details thoroughly
- Owner’s name and details: Ensure that the names, addresses, and other personal information match official records.
- Land specifications: Verify that the land area, boundaries, and other specifications align with the actual property and official records.
- Document consistency: Look for any inconsistencies, such as mismatched fonts, irregular spacing, or misaligned text, which could indicate tampering.
3. Check for recent updates or mutations
Review the mutation history to identify any recent ownership or changes in land details. Unexpected or frequent mutations may signal fraudulent activities.
4. Consult local revenue offices
If discrepancies are found or if online verification isn’t possible, visit the local tehsil or revenue office. Officials can provide certified copies of the Khatauni and assist in verifying its authenticity.
5. Seek professional assistance
Engage legal experts or property verification services to examine the Khatauni document, especially for significant transactions thoroughly.
Importance of khatauni in urban and semi-urban land investments
Khatauni, traditionally associated with rural land records, holds significant importance in urban and semi-urban land investments, especially when considering the conversion of agricultural land for commercial purposes. This document provides a consolidated record of all land parcels owned by an individual or family within a specific area, detailing ownership rights, land usage, and revenue obligations.
Importance of khatauni in urban and semi-urban land investments
- Verification of ownership and land use: Before converting agricultural land to commercial use, it’s imperative to verify the current ownership and designated land use. Khatauni is an official record confirming the owner’s rights and the land’s current classification, ensuring that the land is eligible for conversion.
- Facilitation of land use conversion process: Converting agricultural land to commercial use involves legal procedures, including obtaining permissions from local zoning boards or planning commissions. The Khatauni document is often required during this process to provide evidence of ownership and existing land use, aiding in the seamless processing of applications.
- Legal compliance and dispute resolution: In urban and semi-urban areas, where land values are high, land ownership and usage disputes can arise. Khatauni acts as a legal document that can be presented in courts or to authorities to resolve such conflicts, providing clarity on ownership and historical land use.
- Assessment of land value and taxation: Understanding the land’s value and associated tax liabilities is crucial for investors. Khatauni includes details about the land’s size, type, and revenue paid, which are essential for assessing its market value and any tax obligations, significantly when changing its use from agricultural to commercial.
Housing.com POV
Understanding terms like Khatauni is important for investing in farmland in India. The Khatauni (or Khetawni) is a key document that shows detailed information about land ownership and how land is used across different plots, giving a full picture of a person’s or family’s land. While Khatauni helps track land use and cultivation, Khasra numbers are used for individual plots, and Khewat numbers show ownership details among multiple people for one plot. You can easily get Khatauni details online from state revenue department websites, making checking and verifying information simple. Knowing these terms will help investors make better decisions and manage their land investments effectively.
FAQs
What is the difference between Khasra and Khatauni?
While Khasra is a number provided to a particular piece of land, Khatauni is the details of all land-holding by a family.
What is the difference between Khatauni and Khewat?
A Khewat number is an account number given to land owners, who jointly own a land parcel, while Khatauni is the details of all land-holding by a family.
How to get Khatauni number?
You can check the revenue department website in your state, to get the Khatauni number. You can also inquire at a jan-suvidha centre or the village tehsil, to get the information.
