Revenue System & Tehsildar — Set 14

Correct Answer: A. A grant of land or revenue given free of cost or at nominal rates for services or as charity

Atiyat refers to grants of land or revenue made by rulers to individuals or institutions either free of cost or at nominal rates as rewards for services rendered, for religious purposes, or as acts of charity. These grants were common under Rajput rulers in Rajasthan and created special land tenure arrangements. After independence, Atiyat lands became subject to land reform laws, with the Rajasthan Atiyat Enquiry Act being enacted to examine and regularize such grants. Many Atiyat grants were converted to regular revenue land through this process.

Correct Answer: A. A unit of land area equivalent to approximately one-fifth of an acre used in parts of Rajasthan

Daur is a traditional unit of land measurement used in parts of Rajasthan, approximately equivalent to one-fifth of a standard bigha or about 400-500 square yards depending on the region. Like other traditional land measurement units, Daur was widely used in local land transactions and revenue records before metrication. Revenue records in some areas of Rajasthan still reference Daur for smaller plots. The standardization of land measurement units across India has gradually reduced the use of such local measurement terms.

Correct Answer: A. A deed of sale or purchase document recording a property transaction

Qabala is an Arabic/Urdu term for a deed of sale or purchase document that records the transfer of ownership of property from a seller to a buyer. It specifies the details of the property, the agreed price, and the parties involved in the transaction. Historically, Qabala was the primary documentary evidence of property purchase. In modern Indian law, the registered Sale Deed has replaced the traditional Qabala, but the term is still used in some regions. Qabala documents form part of the chain of title in property transactions.

Correct Answer: A. An older term for the official revenue manual or compilation of revenue laws used by officers

Lal Kitab (meaning 'red book') refers to the official revenue manual or code book containing revenue laws, rules, and procedures that revenue officers used as their official reference guide. Named after the traditional red binding of such official documents, the Lal Kitab compiled all relevant revenue regulations in one place. Revenue officers at all levels would consult the Lal Kitab for guidance on revenue procedures, land records maintenance, and dispute resolution. Each state had its own version based on local revenue laws.

Correct Answer: A. A daily diary maintained by the Patwari recording all events affecting land records in the village

Roznamcha Waqiati (meaning 'daily diary of events') is a register maintained by the Patwari that records all events occurring in the village that affect land records, such as deaths of landowners, sales of land, occupancy changes, crop damages, and encroachments. The Patwari must promptly record all such events in the Roznamcha Waqiati and then process the necessary mutations or updates in the revenue records. This diary serves as the first official record of changes in the village and is used by higher authorities to monitor the Patwari's work.

Correct Answer: A. The land revenue or rent paid by farmers to the government or zamindar

Mal Guzari (also Malguzari or Malguzar) refers to the land revenue paid by farmers (particularly in central India) to the government or zamindar for the right to cultivate their land. The Malguzar was the person responsible for paying this revenue and in some regions became a type of revenue farmer or village headman. In Madhya Pradesh, Malguzari became an important land tenure system with Malguzars holding hereditary revenue collection rights over villages. Land reform laws in the 1950s abolished this system.

Correct Answer: A. A generic Sanskrit term for an area or field used in revenue records

Chhetra is a Sanskrit word meaning 'field' or 'area' that is used in land measurement and revenue records to denote the area of a plot or region. The term Kshetra (its Sanskrit root) has been used in Indian land measurement for millennia. In some states, Kshetrpal or Chhetrapal refers to the guardian or protector of the field area, historically an administrative title. Modern land records use standardized area measurements but the term Chhetra appears in older land documents and traditional land measurement discussions.

Correct Answer: A. Land lying waste or uncultivated that was once cultivated and can be reclaimed

Bairang (also called Banjar) land refers to agricultural land that was previously cultivated but is currently lying waste or uncultivated. Unlike land that has never been cultivated, Bairang land has the potential for reclamation and return to cultivation. Revenue records classify Bairang land with reduced or no revenue assessment. Government schemes encourage reclamation of Bairang lands through subsidies, irrigation support, and technical assistance. Reclaimed Bairang land is re-classified and reassessed for revenue purposes.

Correct Answer: A. A natural drainage channel or seasonal stream that forms a boundary or runs through a village

Nala (or Naala) refers to a natural drainage channel, seasonal stream, or small watercourse that is marked on revenue maps and field maps of a village. Nalas are important geographic features in land records as they often form natural boundaries between fields or villages. Their location is recorded on the Shajra (field map) and Tatima (plot index map). Disputes over the diversion or blockage of Nalas are common in revenue administration. In some contexts, Nala land refers to the land along or within the channel, which may have special land use restrictions.

Correct Answer: A. A hereditary estate or right to hold land and collect revenue in exchange for administrative or ritual duties

Watan refers to a hereditary estate or customary right in Maharashtra and the Deccan region where certain castes or families held land and local administrative or ceremonial duties in exchange for performing services to the village or ruler. Watandars (holders of Watan) had rights over specific lands, perquisites, and revenues in the village. After independence, the Maharashtra Hereditary Offices (Watan) Abolition Act abolished the Watan system and brought such lands under regular revenue administration. Former Watandars received compensation for the loss of their hereditary rights.