Katha (unit)

A katha (also spelled kattha or cottah; Hindi: कट्ठा, Bengali: কাঠা) is a unit of area mostly used for land measure in Eastern India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. After metrication in the mid-20th century by both countries, the unit became officially obsolete. But this unit is still in use in much of Bangladesh and Eastern India and Nepal.

Not to be confused with the dye and food additive Catechu and the tree from which it is made Senegalia catechu

The measurement of katha varies significantly from place to place.

In Bangladesh, one katha is standardized to 720 square feet (67 m2), and 20 katha equals 1 bigha.

In Nepal, it is equivalent to 338.63 m² (3,645 ft²).

In the Indian state of Bihar, one katha may vary from 750 ft² to 2000 ft². Also this can be 32 by 30 feet in length and breadth respectively.

In North Bihar and Patna, 1 Kattha is generally equal to 1361 ft².[1] 20 Kathas equals 1 Bigha.[2] One katha is further subdivided in 20 dhur. One dhur is further subdivided in 20 dhurki. 1 hectare= 2.4712 acre or 4 bighas approx; 1 acre = 1.6 bighas or 32 kathas; 1 bigha = 20 kathas; 1 katha = 20 dhoor; 1 dhoor = 6.25 or 6.5 haath; 1 katha = 4 decimal. In Aurangabad and Gaya, 1 Kattha is generally equal to 1361.25 ft². In Saran district 1 katha is equal to 4 decimal(1 decimal in Bihar equals to 435.56 sq feet.[3][4][5]).


In Assam 1 Kattha is generally equal to 2880 ft².

In West Bengal 1 katha is equal to 720 ft².

The origin of the term and measurement unit was during the Pala Empire.[6]

See also


References
  1. "rate of around Rs2,200 per kattha (1360 sq ft approx)".
  2. "A village tmhat symbolises Bihar".
  3. "three decimal land (1,306 square feet)".
  4. "sq feet decimal" (PDF).
  5. http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/25-679-mahadalit-landless-families-to-get-plots-in-bihar-587232
  6. Russ Rowlett (2008). "K". A Dictionary of Units of Measurement. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  • "Katha". [Sizes, grades, units, scales, calendars, chronologies]. Retrieved 2007-02-19.


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