Dismil - what unit is this?

Contents

• Definition
• History
• Current Use
• Converting dismil to other units
• Dismil - values ​​for individual regions

Definition

A dismil is a traditional unit of land measurement commonly used in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. It is equivalent to 435.6 square feet or 40.47 square meters. The unit is often used in rural land transactions, agriculture, and real estate to measure small to medium-sized plots. Despite the increasing adoption of the metric system, the dismil remains a widely recognized unit in local property dealings.

History

The dismil originates from the British colonial era, when various land measurement systems were standardized for administrative and taxation purposes. It was introduced as a subdivision of the acre, where 1 acre is equal to 100 dismils. Over time, this unit became deeply ingrained in regional land records and property transactions, particularly in eastern parts of the Indian subcontinent. Even as the metric system gained global acceptance, the dismil continued to be used in many local land measurement systems.

Current Use

Today, the dismil remains a prevalent unit in India (especially in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal), Bangladesh, and Nepal. It is commonly used in real estate, land surveys, and agricultural assessments, particularly in rural areas where traditional units still hold significance. While government records and official documentation increasingly rely on square meters and hectares, local transactions often reference dismils for ease of understanding.

The continued use of dismil highlights its practicality and cultural significance in regional land measurement, ensuring its relevance despite modernization.

Converting dismil to other units

Unit of area	Conversion units
1 Dismil	435.6 sq. ft.
1 Dismil	0.31 katha
1 Dismil	0.016 bigha
1 Dismil	48.4 gaj
1 Dismil	0.32 biswa
1 Dismil	1 cent
1 Dismil	1 decimal
1 Dismil	6.4 lessa
1 Dismil	1.6 marla
1 Dismil	0.39 guntha

Dismil - values ​​for individual regions

The value of a dismil can vary slightly depending on the region and local land measurement practices, though it is generally accepted as 1/100th of an acre (or 435.6 square feet / 40.47 square meters).

Regional variations of Dismil

1. India
   • In most states, 1 dismil = 435.6 sq. ft. (40.47 sq. m.)
   • Commonly used in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam for land transactions.
2. Bangladesh
   • The value is largely the same as in India (1 dismil = 435.6 sq. ft.).
   • Often used interchangeably with , which has the same meaning in local land records.
3. Nepal
   • Some regions may use slightly different conversions based on local survey systems, but 1 dismil ≈ 40.47 sq. m. remains a standard reference.

Why Do Variations Exist?

• Differences in historical land measurement systems across regions.
• Influence of local land laws and property registration methods.
• Traditional measurement units that may still be used in rural areas alongside modern metric-based systems.

While 1 dismil is generally standardized, it is always advisable to check local land records to ensure accuracy when dealing with property transactions.