How to read a
Jamabandi ……(fard, revenue record)
Jamabandi
is the most important document of revenue record. It is known by different name
like fard, parcha or many other different names in different areas, but most
common name is JAMABANDI. It is believed that reading of jamabandi is a very
specialized task of revenue officials and far away from the knowledge of
general masses. It is also misappropriated that reading of jamabandi or
acquiring the knowledge of revenue record is only limited to revenue official
especially patwari or kango and other do not have any need for it.
But
in present circumstance when everybody who is involved in buying and selling
property, agricultural land on regular or occasional basis, getting loan on
movable or immovable property or offering any guarantee of any loan/ credit
whether short term working capital loan, medium term loan or long term loan,
everybody should have a basic knowledge of revenue record. It not only helps to
boost the confidence of investor of borrower but also save him from fraud,
misappropriation or any other litigation.
Coming
back to jamabandi, this record expresses a lot of things. Instead of showing
the ownership and possession, jamabandi also gives knowledge about type of
land, its holding status, source of irrigation if cultivated, the type of
structure built on it, the nature of owner, location of land, its fragmentation
type and a lots of other things.
In
general a Jamabandi is having 12 (twelve) columns. Each column depicts unique
information. The information in some columns is very very important and in some
column it is of less importance.
On
the top of jamabandi the information like Hadbast number (it is the number of
boundary of revenue village), year of jamabandi (generally jamabandi is made
after every four years) name of village, tehsil and district are mentioned.
The
first column of jamanadi is the Khewat number or number khewat. It is the
number of owner/owners of land. It is written by black ink. This number is
subject to change in next jamabandi. Sometimes a number in red ink is mentioned
in this column, it is the number of khewat in last jamabandi mentioned for
reference only. A term MIN is mentioned sometimes, it means the part of whole khewat
number which is divided into parts. The detail description of khewat number is
mentioned in column 4 or we can say that the owners mentioned in column number
4 are having one khewat number which is mentioned in column number 1.
The
second column of jamabandi is Khatauni Number or Number Khatauni. It is the
number of possessioner or cultivator of land. The description of cultivator or
possessioner is mentioned in column number 5. We can say that the cultivator or
possessioners mentioned in column number 5 are having khatuani number which is
mentioned in column number 2.
In
column number 3 Patti, Taraf or numberdar are mentioned. This column is ment
for providing the information about physical location of land. In many villages
particular cast is living in patti, hence the name of patti is mentioned as per
their cast. Sometimes the location is identified through its numberdar, but the
only objective is to find the location of land.
In
column number 4 the detail of owners of land is mentioned. It is mentioned by
writing the name of owner his/ her father and grandfather. Upto grandfather is
taken to ensure the identity of owner, as same name can be of different person
in same village. The number of ownership is mentioned in column number 1 as
khewat number. When the owner is adopted one then the term “MATVANA” is used.
If the land is in name of panchayat/ trust/ wakf board/ shamlat (common rights
of villagers) then their name is mentioned in this column. In some cases when
the land was sold/ transferred/ gifted
in last jamabandi, it is also mentioned in this column. If the transfer is made
in current jamabandi period then its entry is made in column number 12 (remarks
column) then the description in column number 12 is final, and entry of column
number 4 carries no weight. It will be discussed in detail in column number 12 description.
In
column number 5 the detail of possessioner or cultivator is mentioned. If the
owners mentioned in previous column are also the possessioner or cultivator of
land then the term “ Khudkast (kast means cultivation) va Makboja Malkan “ is
mentioned. If it is not the case then the term “Gair Marusi” means temporary unauthorized
possessioner as “Kache Mujahire” is mentioned. If it is “Gair Dakhildaar” then
it is permanent unauthorized possessioner. Sometimes these possessions are
given intentionally to the workers (called as SIRIs) to avoid to come under
land ceiling act. But the title is not clear in such cases.
In
column number 6 Naam chah etc is mentioned which is not at all important.
In
column number 7 number khasra is mentioned. This is the important column of
jamabandi. Number Khasra is the number of land holding, which remain same in
all the jamabandi. If it is divided in parts it is written as khasra number
1/1, ½ when khasra number is divided in two parts. When khasra number 1/1 is
again divided in two parts then it will become 1/1/1 and 1/1/2 and so on. It
must be remembered that khasra number will never be changed. If the measurement
is in kanal marla system then first murrabha number/ mushkeel number/ rectangle
number is written in red ink underlined by two straight parallel lines then
khasra numbers are written in black ink. In case of bigha- biswa system only
khasra numbers are written with black ink. There is no murrabha number in bigha
biswa system. Total number of khasras are mentioned in the end as kittas. E.g.
if there are 15 khasras in one khewat then at end total kitta are mentioned as
15.
In
column number 8 the area of each khasra is mentioned. Mostly the maximum area
is 8 kanal 0 marlas (means one acre). But when the land is not cultivated or
hill or desert. Then total area is mentioned in one khasra also which may
exceed one acre. Type of land is also mentioned below the area of khasra. If it
is not cultivated or some building is constructed over it then “gair mumkin” is
written, when irrigated by wells then “Chai” is written, when irrigated by
canal, then “Nehri” or “abbi” is written, when it is rainfed then “Barani” is
written. In some areas the direction of this piece of land is also mentioned
here like “Charda” is written for east direction (rising side of sun) “neevan”
for west side, “Pahar” for north side (Himalaya side) and “Dariya” for south
side. Sometime type of cultivation is also mentioned like “Bagicha” ( orchard),
“Poplar”, Sarkanda or Munji is also written in this column. The total of areas
is made at the end of khatuni and then Khewat. It must be noted that total of
Kita and area should tally at end of each Khatuani and total of Khatuani should
tally at end of Khewat. The khasra and area are not changed in next or previous
jamabandi, as the area of land remains constant.
In
column number 9, 10 and 11 the detail of lagan etc are mentioned but not
important for transaction motive, but its importance may vary from area to
area.
Column
number 12 is most crucial column in jamabandi. It is a remarks column and any
entry made in this column may change the status of owernership or possession of
land. The entry in this column is made through red ink and every entry is
having one specific reference number or intkaal number or rapat number. All
entries pertaining to sale purchase or any other type of transaction in current
jamabandi period is mentioned in this column. In next jamabandi these entries
are transferred to khewat or khatunai column of jamabandi. The common practice
of entry in this column is like “ Baruae rapat or intkaal number (reference
number), date, wallon (by) tranferrer name Bahak or bae (sold)/ rehan (pledge
means given possession)/ aadrehan (without possession)/ Hiba (gift
deed)/vasihiat (will) etc. khasra number (so and so) kul (total) kita and area
banam (in name of) buyer, bank etc. for
amount (such and such) kar diya hai
(have done it). These are followed by signature of patwari or revenue officer.
At
last the patwari/ revenue officer give the undertaking as “Tasdik kiya jata hai
ki Nakal Mutabik Asal hai” means certify as true copy. Sometime also mention
about the fee paid by the applicant for this copy. Now a days computer
generated attested copies are also available. But in some area these are very
lengthy and unable to understand.
But
the patwari record is the actual and lasted updated record available. It is
recommended that while purchasing any land it should be ensured that its entry
has been made in records of concerned patwari and is advisable to keep a copy
of your transaction entry in your records.
It
is a general practice that after the registry is made in sub registrar office,
its entry will be made in intkaal registar and the copy of intkaal is issued,
its entry is then made in rognamcha (daily diary) of patwari. Then patwari make
this entry in jamabani. Until then the entry is made in jamabandi of patwari,
the chances of double sale of property, double mortgage of same land to different
banks, double charge over same property and occurrence of other fraudulent
activity may be there. Hence red ink entry of mutation should be ensured in
jamabandi of patwari. In the case of double entry on same property the then the
right of person having first entry is the first.
Sometime
when the land is dispersed in different khasras and mutation has been made then
only the detail of mutation or rapat is mentioned in main khewat where the area
is maximum and only the mutation and rapat number is mentioned in rest khewats.
In this case it is advisable to check the complete details of mutation or rapat
of that number when the khasra in question is in process of purchase or
transfer. Ignoring the number may cause severe consequences in future and drag
the property in dispute.
So
these are the basics of jamabandi. The terminology and process may vary from
location to location. This type of terminology or process is prevalent in north
part of India particularly Punjab, Haryana, North part of Rajasthan, Jammu, and
part of Himachal Pradesh.
Your
feedback and suggestions regarding any omission or mistake are welcome.