Among the many localized units used for land measurement in India is katha. Even though the use of katha has become obscure as the usage of the metric system units became popular in India post the mid-20th century, locals in some northern and eastern states still use this term as a unit to refer to land area. Sates where the unit is still sometimes used include Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Since there is no standardization of this unit, it is meant to signify various land sizes in these states. Apart from India, katha as a land measurement unit is also used in Bangladesh and Nepal. In these countries as well, katha signifies varying land sizes.
Measure of Katha in Indian states
City/ State | Measure |
Bihar (whole) | 750 to 2,000 square feet | 32 by 30 feet in length and breadth |
Palamu (Jharkhand) | 1,742 square feet |
Patna (Bihar) | 1,361 square feet |
Assam | 2,880 square feet |
West Bengal | 720 square feet |
Measure of Katha in Bangladesh and Nepal
Country | Measure |
Bangladesh | 720 square feet |
Nepal | 3,645 square feet |