If you are negotiating a land deal in Patna, Gaya, or Muzaffarpur, you have likely realized that nobody talks in "Square Feet" or "Acres." In the heart of Bihar, the language of land is strictly Dhur, Kattha, and Bigha.
For a first-time buyer or someone from outside the state, this can be incredibly confusing. You might see a plot listed as "10 Dhur" and have no idea if that’s enough for a house or just a parking spot.
To make matters more complicated, the size of a Dhur isn't the same everywhere. It can change from one district to another based on the local Laggi size.
This guide will cut through the confusion. We’ll cover the standard conversion for Dhur to Square Feet in Bihar, how to calculate it yourself, and the critical questions you must ask your broker to avoid getting shortchanged.
Quick Takeaways
- The Standard Value: In most of Bihar, 1 Dhur ≈ 68.06 Square Feet.
- The "Laggi" Factor: The exact size depends on the length of the measuring pole (Laggi) used in that specific district.
- Relation to Kattha: 20 Dhurs make 1 Kattha.
- Best for: Measuring small residential plots or sub-divisions of agricultural land.
What is a Dhur? (And Why is it So Confusing?)
"Dhur" is a traditional unit of land measurement used extensively in East India (Bihar, Jharkhand, UP, West Bengal) and Nepal. It represents a sub-unit of a Kattha.
In the metric or imperial systems (Square Meters or Square Feet), measurements are fixed. A square foot in Mumbai is the same as a square foot in New York.
Dhur is different. Its size is historically determined by the length of a bamboo pole known as a Laggi.
- If the local custom uses a 5.5 hand Laggi, the Dhur is smaller.
- If the local custom uses a 6.5 hand Laggi, the Dhur is larger.
However, for modern property registrations and standard real estate listings in Bihar, a standardized value is generally used to keep things consistent.
Dhur to Square Feet: The Formula (Bihar Standard)
While you should always verify the local standard with a Patwari (village accountant), the most commonly accepted standard for property transactions in Bihar is:
The Calculation Logic
This is derived from the standard hierarchy:
- 1 Bigha = 20 Kattha = 27,225 Sq Ft
- 1 Kattha = 1,361.25 Sq Ft
- 1 Dhur = (1,361.25 ÷ 20) = 68.0625 Sq Ft
How to Calculate It
If you are looking at a plot and know the Dhur value, here is how you find the square footage:
Formula:Area in Sq Ft = Area in Dhur × 68.06
Example:
You are offered a plot of 10 Dhurs in a residential layout.
10 ×
68.06 = 680.6 Sq Ft.
Is that big? Roughly speaking, that’s the size of a spacious 1 BHK apartment or a small 2 BHK flat.
Quick Conversion Table (Dhur to Sq Ft)
Use this table for quick estimates when browsing property listings in Bihar.
| Area in Dhur | Area in Sq Ft (Approx) | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Dhur | 68 sq ft | Tiny strip / Garden patch |
| 5 Dhur | 340 sq ft | Shop or very small room |
| 10 Dhur | 681 sq ft | Small House / 1 BHK Flat size |
| 15 Dhur | 1,021 sq ft | Standard 2-3 BHK House plot |
| 20 Dhur | 1,361 sq ft | 1 Full Kattha (Standard Plot) |
| 40 Dhur | 2,722 sq ft | 2 Katthas (Large Villa Plot) |
Visualizing land division in Bihar: 20 Dhurs = 1 Kattha
The "Laggi" Variation: A Warning for Buyers
This is where many buyers lose money. You cannot assume 1 Dhur is 68 sq ft everywhere.
In rural Bihar, the measurement is strictly tied to the Laggi length.
4 Hand Laggi
1 Dhur ≈ 36 Sq Ft
5.5 Hand Laggi
1 Dhur ≈ 68 Sq Ft (Standard)
6 Hand Laggi
1 Dhur ≈ 81 Sq Ft
Pro Tip: Before finalizing a price per Dhur, ask the seller: "Kitne haath ki laggi hai?" (How many hands is the measuring pole?). If they say 4 hands, but charge you the price of standard land, you are getting nearly half the land you paid for!
Dhur vs. Kattha vs. Bigha
Understanding the hierarchy is crucial because land records (Khatiyan) often mention total land in Bigha-Kattha-Dhur format (e.g., 1-5-10 implies 1 Bigha, 5 Kattha, 10 Dhur).
| Unit | Relationship | Approx Sq Ft (Bihar Standard) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Dhur | Base Unit | ~68 sq ft |
| 1 Kattha | 20 Dhurs | ~1,361 sq ft |
| 1 Bigha | 20 Katthas | ~27,220 sq ft |
| 1 Decimal | ~6.4 Dhurs | 435.6 sq ft |
Common Mistakes When Buying Land in Bihar
1 Mixing up "Decimal" and "Dhur"
These sound similar but are very different.
1 Decimal = 435.6 Sq Ft
1
Dhur = 68 Sq Ft
A "5 Decimal" plot is much larger (2,178 sq ft) than a "5 Dhur" plot
(340 sq ft). Always check the unit written on the registry paper.
2 Ignoring the District Norms
Dhur in Jharkhand might differ slightly from Dhur in Bihar. Even within Bihar, a Dhur in Patna might be treated differently than in a rural village in Madhubani. Always rely on the square feet value mentioned in the sale deed over the local verbal unit.
3 Not Measuring the Frontage
Since Dhur is an area unit, it doesn't tell you the shape. A 10 Dhur plot could be a nice square or a uselessly thin strip. Always check the length vs. width (Frontage vs. Depth).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many Dhurs are in 1 Kattha in Bihar?
There are exactly 20 Dhurs in 1 Kattha. This is the standard division across most of Bihar and Jharkhand.
2. What is the value of 1 Dhur in square feet in Patna?
In Patna, the standard calculation usually follows the 5.5 hand Laggi system or the standard decimal conversion, making 1 Dhur approximately 68.06 square feet.
3. How much is 1 Dhur in Decimal?
1 Dhur is approximately 0.15 Decimal (since 1 Decimal = 435.6 sq ft and 1 Dhur = 68 sq ft).
4. Is Dhur used in West Bengal?
Yes, but the value differs slightly. In West Bengal, Dhur is often standardized where 1 Kattha = 720 sq ft, making 1 Dhur much smaller (36 sq ft). Never use Bihar calculations for West Bengal land.
5. How many square feet is 5 Dhur?
Using the standard Bihar value: 5 × 68.06 = 340.3 square feet. This is roughly the size of a large master bedroom or a small shop.
6. What is a "Laggi"?
A Laggi is a bamboo pole used to measure land in villages. The length of the pole (4 cubits, 5.5 cubits, etc.) determines the size of the Dhur and Kattha in that specific village.
7. Can I convert Dhur to Square Yards (Gaj)?
Yes. Since 1 Dhur ≈ 68.06 sq ft, and 1 Sq Yard = 9 sq ft: 68.06 ÷ 9 = 7.56 Square Yards (Gaj).
Conclusion
Buying land in Bihar requires a bit of homework. The "Dhur" is a convenient unit for locals, but for a buyer, it can be a source of confusion due to the varying Laggi sizes.
To keep your transaction safe:
- Assume 1 Dhur = 68.06 Sq Ft for initial estimates.
- Always ask about the Laggi size if buying agricultural land.
- Insist on writing the total area in Square Feet or Decimals in the final sale agreement to avoid ambiguity.
Don't let the math scare you away from a good investment. Just keep your calculator handy and this guide in your pocket!