What is Khatauni and Khasra Number in Land Records?
Anyone dealing with land in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana or much of North India runs into two numbers again and again: the Khasra number and the Khatauni. They are the codes that identify land in the revenue records, and knowing what each means is basic to any safe land purchase. This guide explains what a Khasra number and a Khatauni are, and how they work together.
What a Khasra number is
A Khasra number is a plot-level identification number given to a specific piece of land in the village revenue records. Think of it as the land's unique address in the register. Each parcel of agricultural or revenue land has its own Khasra number, which ties it to details like its area, location and, in some records, the land type and cultivation. When someone identifies a plot, they usually quote its Khasra number.
What a Khatauni is
A Khatauni is a record of the landholding of an owner or cultivator, listing all the Khasra numbers held by that person in a village, along with the extent and share. Where the Khasra identifies a plot, the Khatauni groups plots under a holder. So a single Khatauni can cover several Khasra numbers belonging to the same owner, giving a consolidated picture of what that person holds in the village.
Khasra versus Khatauni
| Point | Khasra number | Khatauni |
|---|---|---|
| Identifies | A specific plot of land | A holder's total landholding |
| Scope | One parcel | All parcels of one owner in a village |
| Answers | Which plot is this | What does this person hold |
Together with the record of rights, the Jamabandi in some states, they build the full ownership picture, which our Jamabandi and Fard guide covers for the northwestern states.
Why these numbers matter when buying land
In a land deal, precision is protection. The Khasra number lets you identify the exact plot being sold and match it to the ground and the map, so you are not misled about which parcel you are buying. The Khatauni shows the seller's overall holding and share, revealing whether the land is solely theirs or held jointly with others whose consent you need. Getting these wrong is how buyers end up with the wrong plot or a disputed share, the risks our legal checks before buying land guide exists to prevent.
How to check the Khasra and Khatauni
Most North Indian states publish these records online through their land records portals, Bhulekh in several states, searchable by district, tehsil, village and Khasra or Khatauni number. Verify that the Khasra matches the plot on the ground, that the Khatauni shows the seller as the holder with a clear share, and that recent mutations are reflected. Confirm the boundaries physically and have a lawyer read the records against the title, the cross-checking our land records guide stresses.
Bhulekh and online land records
Checking the Khasra and Khatauni has become far easier as states digitise their land records under the Bhulekh and similar programmes. Most North Indian states now let you view the record of rights, the Khatauni, and plot details by Khasra number online, from home, before you ever meet a seller. This is a powerful protection: you can independently confirm who the records show as the owner, the extent held, and recent entries, rather than relying on documents the seller hands you. Use it early in your due diligence to filter out problem land before you invest time and money. That said, the online record is a starting point, not the final word, since the physical position on the ground, pending mutations, and title-chain issues still need checking, ideally with a lawyer. Combine the convenience of Bhulekh with proper ground and legal verification, and you get the best of both: quick early screening and thorough final confirmation before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Khasra number?
A Khasra number is a plot-level identification number for a specific piece of land in the village revenue records, acting as the land's unique address and tying it to its area and location.
What is a Khatauni?
A Khatauni is a record of an owner or cultivator's landholding, listing all the Khasra numbers they hold in a village with the extent and share. It groups plots under one holder.
What is the difference between Khasra and Khatauni?
A Khasra number identifies a single plot, while a Khatauni lists all the plots held by one owner in a village. Khasra answers which plot; Khatauni answers what that person holds.
Why do I need the Khasra number to buy land?
It identifies the exact plot being sold so you can match it to the ground and the map, ensuring you are buying the parcel you think you are and not a different one.
How do I check Khasra and Khatauni online?
Through your state's land records portal, often called Bhulekh, searchable by district, tehsil, village and Khasra or Khatauni number. Verify the seller as holder and match the plot before buying.
Can one Khatauni have multiple Khasra numbers?
Yes. A single Khatauni can cover several Khasra numbers belonging to the same owner, giving a consolidated view of that person's total landholding in the village.
The Khasra and Khatauni are the coordinates of land ownership in North India, one pinpointing the plot, the other the holder. Read both, match them to the ground and the seller, and verify with a lawyer before you pay. Our team can help you check these records on any land purchase.
