Gaj calculator

Gaj: Unit of Area

Gaj is a traditional unit of area measurement used predominantly in India, Pakistan, and Nepal, particularly in real estate, agriculture, and land transactions. The term "gaj" is derived from the Hindi and Urdu word for "yard." Its value depends on the context, as it is sometimes used to refer to both area (square yard) and linear measurements (yard).

Current use of the Gaj

• Geography: It is most commonly employed in rural and semi-urban areas for land measurements, especially in North India.
• Conversion:
  • 1 gaj (area) = 1 square yard = approximately 0.836 square meters.
  • For linear measurements: 1 gaj = 3 feet or 0.9144 meters.
• In land transactions, gaj is used to express smaller plots of land, particularly for residential and commercial properties.

Historical background

1. Mughal influence:

   • The use of gaj as a measurement unit dates back to the Mughal Empire (16th–18th century), when it was adopted as part of land revenue systems.
   • During this period, the gaj was a standard unit used for measuring textiles, building dimensions, and agricultural land.

2. Colonial era:

   • Under British rule, the imperial measurement system introduced square yards as a standard unit, which aligned with the gaj in many regions. This solidified its use in official records and maps.

3. Cultural Context:

   • Gaj remains a culturally embedded term, particularly in vernacular languages like Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi. Even with the metric system’s official adoption, gaj persists as a familiar, practical unit in informal transactions.

Regions of use of the Gaj

• India: Widely used in northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
• Pakistan: Commonly used for real estate, especially in urban centers.
• Nepal: Employed in traditional land records and measurements.