Chandigarh: Not many would know the meaning of the word ‘arazi’ in Punjab, but it often finds a place in its revenue records.‘Arazi’, which has Perso-Arabic origins, is used to describe land, or ‘zameen’. Like it, several other terms — such as ‘takavi’ for ‘kheti karza’ — continue to feature in Punjab’s land records. Now, however, thanks to the Punjab govt, 35 such expressions, including ‘arazi’, are set to be replaced with simpler Punjabi equivalents, bringing to an end the use of terminology that dates back more than 800 years.Punjab revenue, rehabilitation and disaster management minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said the complex language used in property registration documents often created difficulties for ordinary citizens. “Keeping public convenience at the forefront, the Mann govt has therefore decided to replace the old and difficult terms with simpler Punjabi words,” he said.The terminology used in Punjab’s land records traces its origins to the Perso-Arabic administrative vocabulary introduced during the Delhi Sultanate and later formalised under the Mughals. The British retained and codified these expressions for administrative consistency, allowing them to survive in revenue records long after Independence.In a move aimed at making property transactions easier for the common man, the Punjab govt has decided to replace the 35 complex terms traditionally used in revenue and property registration documents with simpler Punjabi words that are easier to understand. The minister said a communication, along with the revised terminology, has been issued to the Inspector General of Registration and all deputy commissioners, directing field officers to give priority to using the simplified terms in property registration documents.
