What is a Bigha? Nepal Terai Land Unit Explained
Bigha is the standard unit of land measurement across Nepal's Terai plains — the flat, fertile lowland belt bordering India. It's an entirely separate system from the Ropani used in hilly districts, so land documents from Terai municipalities will use Bigha-Kattha-Dhur instead.
Key Facts
- • 1 Bigha = 20 Kattha
- • 1 Bigha = 400 Dhur
- • 1 Bigha = 6,772.63 square meters
- • 1 Bigha = 72,900 square feet
- • 1 Bigha ≈ 13.31 Ropani
Bigha is considerably larger than a Ropani — about 13.3 times larger by area — which reflects the Terai's role as agricultural land historically measured in larger parcels than hillside residential plots. Kattha and Dhur are the practical sub-units used for smaller Terai plots, similar to how Aana is used for smaller hill plots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bigha the same size everywhere in South Asia?
No — Bigha varies by country and even by Indian state. This guide uses the Nepal Terai standard (1 Bigha = 72,900 sq.ft). Always confirm which Bigha standard applies if you're comparing land documents across regions.