Introduction
The Khatiyan or the Record of Rights (RoR) system, has a long and fascinating history in India and Bangladesh. The system of land records and documentation of land ownership can be traced back to ancient India, where it was used to keep track of land use and taxes. Over time, the system evolved to become more detailed and comprehensive, incorporating changes in land ownership and usage.
During the British colonial period, the land administration system underwent significant changes in India and the Indian subcontinent. In 1793, the British East India Company established the Permanent Settlement of Bengal, which involved the creation of a land revenue system that allowed landowners to pay a fixed amount of revenue to the British government. This system required the documentation of land ownership and usage, and thus the RoR system was born.
The RoR system in India was further developed during the British Raj, with the introduction of the Land Records Manual in 1875. The manual provided detailed guidelines for the maintenance of land records, including the creation of Khatiyans or records of rights. The Khatiyans contained information about land ownership, cultivation, and revenue payments.
After the partition of India in 1947, the RoR system was implemented in both India and Pakistan. In Bangladesh, the RoR system was established after the country gained independence from Pakistan in 1971. The system underwent significant changes during the post-independence period, with the establishment of the Department of Land Records and Surveys (DLRS) and the introduction of digital land records.
Today, the RoR system in Bangladesh consists of four types of Khatiyans – CS Khatian, SA Khatian, RS Khatian, and BS Khatian – each containing different information about land ownership and usage. The system is maintained by the DLRS and is used to ensure the accuracy of land records and resolve any disputes related to land ownership.
There are four types of Khatians (records) that are part of the RoR system in Bangladesh: CS Khatian, SA Khatian, RS Khatian, and BS Khatian.
-
CS Khatian:
The CS Khatian or Cadastral Survey Khatian is one of the four types of Khatiyans or Records of Rights (RoR) in Bangladesh. It is a record that contains information about the cadastral survey of a particular piece of land. The cadastral survey is a survey of the boundaries and dimensions of the land, which is conducted by the government. The CS Khatian contains information about the location, area, ownership, and other details of the land.
The history of the CS Khatian can be traced back to the British colonial period in India. The British East India Company introduced the system of land revenue collection in Bengal in 1793, which required the documentation of land ownership and usage. The system was further developed during the British Raj, with the introduction of the Land Records Manual in 1875. The manual provided detailed guidelines for the maintenance of land records, including the creation of Khatiyans or records of rights. The Khatian in question was created under the Bengal Tenancy Act of 1885, with survey work commencing in Ramu, Cox’s Bazar Upazila in 1888 and concluding in Dinajpur in 1940.
The CS Khatian plays a critical role in the land administration system in Bangladesh. It provides information about the cadastral survey of a particular piece of land, ensuring the accuracy of land records and helping to resolve any disputes related to land ownership. The CS Khatian is updated periodically to reflect any changes in land ownership or usage.
-
SA Khatian:
The SA Khatian or Settlement Khatian is one of the four types of Khatiyans or Records of Rights (RoR) in Bangladesh. It contains information about the settlement of a particular piece of land, including the name of the owner, the area, the type of soil, and the rent or revenue paid to the government.
This Khatiyan was prepared under State Acquisition and Tenancy Act 1950. Actually, this is not a practical Survey or this is not based on a field survey. This Khatiyan was made on the information given by the Zamindar or Landlord. SA Khatiyan means State acquisition Khatiyan or Settlement Attestation. It is also known as PS Khatiyan or Pakistan Survey Khatiyan. This is not an authentic Khatiyan.
The SA Khatian contains information about the land settlement process. The settlement process is a process of demarcating the boundaries of land and assigning ownership to different parties. The SA Khatian is used to verify the ownership of the land and to determine the land revenue that is payable by the owner. The SA Khatian also contains information about any changes in ownership that have occurred due to inheritance or sale.
Read More: The Role of Khatiyans in Resolving Land Ownership Disputes in Bangladesh
-
RS Khatian:
The RS Khatian is created during the process of revising the cadastral survey of a particular area. The revisional survey is conducted to update the land records and to incorporate any changes in the ownership, possession, or other details of the land. After 50 years of SA Survey Khatian, another survey was held on. This survey is called Re-visional Survey, and Khatian prepared from this Survey is called RS Khatian. The purpose of this Survey was to update the amount of land, the owner’s name and the possessor’s name. It is more authentic than the SAKhatian. The RS Khatian is an important document used to verify the current ownership of the land and determine the land revenue that is payable by the owner.
-
BS Khatian:
The BS Khatian contains information about any changes in ownership or possession of the land. The mutation process is initiated when there is a change in ownership due to inheritance, sale, or any other legal transfer. This is the more authentic Khatiyanthan than all other Khatiyans. A survey was started in 1970 which is continuing till now. This survey is known as Bangladesh Survey, and the Khatiyan made from the BS survey is known as BS Khatiyan or Bangladesh Survey Khatiyan.The BS Khatian is used to update the land records and to transfer the ownership rights to the new owner. It is an important document that is used to verify the current ownership of the land.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the history of the Khatiyan or the Record of Rights system in India and Bangladesh is a long and complex one. It has evolved over time to become a comprehensive system of land records and documentation of land ownership, reflecting the changes in land administration and governance. Today, the RoR system plays a vital role in ensuring the accuracy of land records and resolving any disputes related to land ownership.
The RoR system is an essential component of the land administration system in Bangladesh. It contains information about the ownership, possession, and other details of a plot of land, and the different types of Khatians, including CS Khatian, SA Khatian, RS Khatian, and BS Khatian, provide information about the cadastral survey, settlement process, revisional survey, and mutation process, respectively. The RoR system is critical for maintaining accurate land records and resolving any disputes related to land ownership.