Agricultural Unit Converter: A Guide to Punjabi & Hindi Units

Traditional Punjabi & Hindi Units of Measurement

This guide explains the traditional units of measurement for land, length, and weight used in Punjab and Hindi-speaking regions, along with their modern metric equivalents. These units have been historically used in agriculture, trade, and daily life and remain relevant in understanding cultural practices and land records.

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1. Land Units

Land measurement units in Punjab and Hindi-speaking regions have varied historically depending on local practices. The most common units include Acre, Hectare, Kanal, Marla, Bigha, Sarsahi, Ghumaon, Killa, and Murabba. Understanding these units is essential for farmers, landowners, surveyors, and researchers dealing with land data.

Unit	Punjabi / Hindi	Modern Equivalent	Notes
Acre	ਏਕੜ / एकड़	1 Acre = 8 Kanal = 160 Marla = 43,560 sq. ft.	Widely used in official land records and transactions
Hectare	ਹੈਕਟੇਅਰ / हेक्टेयर	1 Hectare = 2.471 Acres	Standard metric unit for land measurement
Kanal	ਕਨਾਲ / कनाल	1 Kanal = 20 Marla = 0.125 Acre	Traditional unit mostly used in agricultural areas
Marla	ਮਰਲਾ / मरला	1 Marla = 9 Sarsahi = 272.25 sq. ft.	Commonly used for urban plots and houses
Bigha	ਬਿਘਾ / बिघा	1 Bigha = 4 Kanal = 20 Marla (Punjab)	Value varies by region; important for regional land contracts
Sarsahi	ਸਰਸਾਹੀ / सरसाही	1 Sarsahi = 30.25 sq. yards	Used for precise measurement of small plots
Ghumaon	ਘੇਰਾ / घुमाव	≈ 1 Acre	Regional equivalent used in some villages
Killa	ਕਿੱਲਾ / किल्ला	≈ 1 Acre	Commonly used in Punjab and Haryana land transactions
Murabba	ਮੁਰੱਬਾ / मुरब्बा	1 Murabba = 25 Killa	Larger unit of land, often used in agricultural planning

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2. Length Units

Traditional units of length have been used for land measurement, construction, and everyday activities. Modern metric units like meters are now standard, but understanding traditional units is useful for historical research and rural development planning.

Unit	Punjabi / Hindi	Modern Equivalent	Notes
Meter	ਮੀਟਰ / मीटर	Base unit (1 m)	Used in metric system for accurate measurement
Foot	ਫੁੱਟ / फुट	1 foot = 12 inches	Imperial unit commonly used in older construction
Yard	ਗਜ਼ / गज़	1 Yard = 3 feet	Also called 'Gaj'; often used in textiles and land plots
Karam	ਕਰਮ / करम	1 Karam = 5.5 feet	Traditional land measurement; still used in rural surveys

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3. Weight Units

Weight measurement units have evolved over time from traditional units like Ser, Man, and Pao to the modern metric system. These units are critical for agriculture, trade, gold/silver transactions, and daily household usage.

Unit	Punjabi / Hindi	Modern Equivalent	Notes
Kilogram	ਕਿਲੋਗ੍ਰਾਮ / किलोग्राम	Base unit (1 kg)	Metric system standard unit
Quintal	ਕੁਇੰਟਲ / क्विंटल	1 Quintal = 100 kg	Used for agricultural produce and bulk grains
Pound	ਪੌਂਡ / पाउंड	1 lb = 0.453592 kg	Imperial unit; sometimes used in trade
Tola	ਤੋਲਾ / तोला	1 Tola ≈ 10 grams	Commonly used for gold, jewelry, and small trade items
Ser	ਸੇਰ / सेर	1 Ser ≈ 1 kg	Older unit, used in markets for grains and produce
Man	ਮਣ / मन	1 Man ≈ 40 kg	Used for bulk measurement in agriculture
Pao	ਪਾਓ / पाव	1 Pao = 250 grams	Smaller quantity unit, useful for daily trade
Chhatank	ਛਟਾਂਕ / छटांक	1 Chhatank = 58.32 grams	Very small traditional unit used for spices and grains

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Practical Usage & Cultural Context

These traditional units are still used in rural areas, old land records, and agricultural transactions. Farmers may refer to Kanal or Marla when discussing plots, while gold merchants often use Tola and Pao. Educators and students studying history, agriculture, or economics may find this guide useful for understanding regional variations and conversions. Modern metric equivalents allow for standardization and accurate comparisons.

Understanding these units also helps bridge cultural and historical knowledge, allowing people to interpret old land records, family inheritance documents, or regional market reports.