The village official who maintains land records is commonly known as the:

The Patwari is the village-level official of the revenue department who maintains land records.

Different names in different states:

• Patwari in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Bihar.
• Lekhpal in Uttar Pradesh.
• Talati in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
• Karnam in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
• Village Accountant in Karnataka.
• Village Officer in Kerala.

Functions of the Patwari:

• Maintaining records of land ownership, such as the record of rights (jamabandi or khatauni).
• Recording changes in ownership through mutation after sale, inheritance or gift.
• Keeping records of crops grown on each plot (girdawari).
• Helping in the collection of land revenue.
• Preparing maps of village land.
• Issuing extracts of land records to landowners.
• Reporting on crop damage during natural calamities for compensation.

History of the office:

• The office dates back to the time of Sher Shah Suri and was continued by Akbar under the revenue system of Raja Todar Mal.
• The British continued the office as part of their land revenue administration.

Digitisation of land records:

• Under the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme, land records are being computerised to reduce disputes and corruption.
• Many states now allow people to see land records online.
• The SVAMITVA scheme maps residential properties in villages using drones.

Hierarchy of revenue officials:

• Patwari at the village level.
• Revenue Inspector or Kanungo above the Patwari.
• Tehsildar at the tehsil level.
• Sub-Divisional Magistrate and the Collector at higher levels.

Why not the other options?

• ✗The Sarpanch is the elected head of a Gram Panchayat.
• ✗The Chowkidar is a village watchman.
• ✗The Gram Sevak is a village-level development worker.