The Patwar system, which played a central role in our land demarcation process, has deep historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. It was first introduced during the short but eventful rule of Sher Shah Suri and later enhanced by Emperor Akbar who appointed Raja Todar Mall as Diwan-i-Ashraf in 1582 to do the land reforms.
Mugal emperor Akbar -Mugal painting
Raja Todar Mall - A Mugal Painting
The British colonial administration made minor amendments to the system but largely continued its use. Today, it remains an essential part of land record management in rural India, despite the challenges and delays that often come with it.
This is the drawing I got it done in 1970s from my office.
Finally, on the morning of 7th March, at around 10:30, we proceeded with the demarcation, starting with the Barani land first, where I anticipated fewer conflicts.
Traditional units of land measurement in Punjab include Bigha, Marla, Kanal, and Acre. Bigha is commonly used in rural areas, Marla for smaller plots, Kanal for larger agricultural lands, and Acre for significant transactions. These units remain integral to land dealings in Punjab, preserving traditional measurement systems alongside modern surveying techniques.
The names of all the neighbors who were sent notices to be present at the time of demarcation.
The day before, we had compiled a list of neighboring landowners, as it was mandatory to inform them in advance. The official notice, stamped and sealed, was handed over to the designated Chowkidar (village messenger), who is generally responsible for distributing it.
Trying to locate Red stone peg which will be used as a reference point. They usually spot two such red stones to mark longitude and altitude of this location.
In addition to this, we began spotting the reference redstone for the satellite machine. Normally, this process takes a few hours to half a day, but my people were sharp enough to approximate the location of the red flag, red peg, or redstone.
The Satellite mapping Device used in our lands.
Once that was done, it was all smooth sailing to start the marking process across the village of adjoining village Harigarh. However, we began with my Barani land first.
The neighbors started gathering at the site.
A very friendly and cordial meetings.
They declared that since it was the decision of Panch gathered together, they welcomed and signed the government documents. They also felt that Satellite mapping was a flawless and it does not deviate from facts and is errorless.
Crowd gathering around Revenue officers.
Right from the start, we discovered that we had to go deep about 100 to 200 feet into the neighboring land. Most of us were shocked at how much of my land was being used by my neighbor.
Bhola goes deep into the neighboring land and inserts a pole to mark.
The land originally belonged to Master Rana, who having migrated to Canada had sold it to the current owner, Surjit Singh. His daughter-in-law actually owned the property, and he himself was an educationist and a gentleman. He was very clear and cooperative, assuring us that whatever portion belonged to me would be handed over within a month after the present harvest.
With Meghraj Singh who helped me to raise that big 32 ft Tibba to the ground and leveled it. He and his brother Hakam Singh are accomplished tillers from Harigarh who are responsible for land improvement as it stands today.
Another deep grabbing of my land towards Harigarh side. We installed a pole there too.
We continued our demarcation, circling around the land until we reached the tibba (small mound) that we had razed a couple of years ago.
This is the tubewell of our neighbor. My land boundary almost touched the walls. This was just at the corner where my land starts. This land belongs to S Surjit Singh daughter in law settled in Australia. I found him to be a perfect gentleman and offered to handover our portion by the end of this harvest season in April/May.
Interestingly, a portion of it also fell within the neighboring village of Harigarh, confirming our long-held suspicion that some of our land was being used by neighbors from that village.
We had stacked about 20 poles each for Nehri and Barani.
Upon reaching the area, we found that almost 500 feet along the border had been encroached upon. We marked the boundaries, drilled holes, and eventually inserted 6-foot RC poles.
A serious meeting as it matters the rights of owning land.
This disputed area of about 1.5 acres belonged to three different individuals who were not present that day. The Patwari and Kanugo attempted to contact them, but they were out of town.
Very friendly talks among us, I found they were well aware of not only latest laws but also latest Agro technologies including the computer basics. They were very well aware that this computer aided Sattelite mapping device is never partial and draws and delivers justice instantly. This has resulted in negligent disputes on account of marking. Every body welcomed this technology.
Fortunately, they were not hostile people, just simple landowners. Despite their absence, we proceeded to insert the poles, and in the end, I was able to reclaim approximately 1 + acres of land in this section and total of about 2 Acre in whole Barani Section.
Bhola was the hero of the day. A strong man in his mid fifties could lift 50 kg pole and walk through the difficult terrain for several yards to dig 2-3 ft deep holes for supporting the poles.
Bhola, watched by Manjit my Barani man, lifting courageously 50kg RCC boundary marking pole. Manjit had arranged 40 such poles and was ready for the day.
Bhola digging a hole with his ‘Boki’ to insert the the RCC pole for marking the boundary
Satellite mapping in progress
They had to go so deep to dig holes for RCC poles
Way side meeting of neighbors
A special mention must be made of Bhola, our man on the ground. An old yet strong worker, he carried 50 kg poles on his head, dug holes, and installed around 20 poles single-handedly. His effort was truly commendable.
A photograph of neighbors along with Punjab State revenue officers. We are proudly holding the government owned and certified map of the Khadka’s and Acres on a special cloth which does not get easily weathered out. This is centuries old way keeping the land records.
Another view of neighbors with Revenue officers.
With the Barani land demarcation complete, we took a break for a much-needed lunch at Rajwara Dhaba. The entire crew accompanied us, and we enjoyed a hearty meal before heading straight to the Nehri land.
We hosted lunch for all those who participated in demarcation.
Since the reference points for the Nehri land were already established, we started marking without delay. We had some doubts regarding the neighboring lands belonging to villagers from Bhure, but none of them were present. However, there were no significant boundary disputes—just minor variations of one or two feet here and there.
Serious discussions over the state of Affairs in farming and they were all excited about the recent hikes of land prices.
Near the well and the fag end where land of two villages Badbar and Bhure meet, we found a piece of land, less than an acre in size, that had always belonged to us but had never been used but was being used as ‘Pahi’. We marked it as well, securing the land for future use.
One section, however, remained unresolved—my chachaji’s land, currently owned by Jaswant Singh of Jalandhar. His cultivator Mani, who manages the land, was uncooperative. He insisted that no marking could be done until the crops were harvested. Since there was no point in pushing further at that moment, we decided to wait until after the harvest.
With Pwan Assistant Jasvir Singh who always was shadowing me and ready for any help from household to on-field jobs.
With that, my work was finally completed. I paid the satellite machine operator and also gave some money to those who had helped us throughout the process. We all returned home, satisfied with the progress we had made.
Harvinder and me proudly displaying Victory sign.
Now, with everything marked and settled, we could move forward. After the harvest, things would be even clearer, and I was optimistic that our land matters would be in much better shape.
