Meaning and definition of ‘Mahal’

Mahal is plot of land under one title (ownership). It was the smallest fiscal unit for the payment of land revenue.  

Section 4(4) of the UP Land Revenue Act defines it as follows –   

1. Any local area held under seperate engagement for the payment of land revenue provided that it may contain a single village or portion of village and it also might contain two or more villages.

2. Any revenue free area.

3. Any area for such purposes which has been determined by the Government or area specially declared as Mahal.

The essence of Mahal was a separate engagement for payment of revenue and a separate record of rights.