Chhattisgarh Land
Revenue Code
Seventeen chapter notes covering the land revenue and tenure code of Chhattisgarh — the post-2000 continuation of the MP Land Revenue Code 1959 with State-specific amendments, the bhumiswami and bhumidhari tenure structure, the records of rights, the powers of revenue officers, the partition and succession provisions, the Section on tribal protection from alienation, and the bar on civil court jurisdiction. Section first, tenure category second, leading case third.
Chhattisgarh’s revenue code — inherited from MP, separately amended.
The Chhattisgarh Land Revenue Code is the post-2000 continuation of the MP Land Revenue Code 1959 as it applied to the territory that became Chhattisgarh, with State-specific amendments enacted by the Chhattisgarh Legislature. The Code preserves the bhumiswami (with transferable rights) and bhumidhari (with restricted rights) tenure structure that emerged from the abolition of zamindari, establishes the framework for records of rights, vests revenue jurisdiction in the Tahsildar, Sub-Divisional Officer, and Collector, and prescribes special protections for tribal land. Section 257 ousts the jurisdiction of civil courts in matters within the Code.
These notes anchor every chapter to its statutory section. The most-tested provisions are Section 158 (bhumiswami), Section 159 (bhumidhari), Section 165 (restriction on alienation by tribals), Section 178 (partition), Section 191 (succession), Section 220 (mutation), and Section 257 (bar on civil court jurisdiction).
Each chapter is designed to be read in twelve to fifteen minutes and to leave the reader with the statutory section, the tenure category, the revenue authority’s jurisdiction, the civil-court bar, and the leading authority.
How to read these notes
Start with the section.
Every chapter opens with the precise Section of the Chhattisgarh Land Revenue Code. Read it. The most-tested provisions — Section 158 (bhumiswami), Section 159 (bhumidhari), Section 165 (tribal protection), Section 257 (civil-court bar) — must be cited section-and-clause.
Test the forum and tenure.
Every Chhattisgarh Land Revenue Code question reduces to two inquiries. First, what is the tenure category — bhumiswami or bhumidhari? The category determines transferability and succession. Second, is the matter within the revenue jurisdiction (Tahsildar, SDO, Collector) or the civil-court jurisdiction? The Section 257 bar operates where revenue authorities have jurisdiction.
Test on the leading case.
If you can restate the holding of Lingappa Pochanna Appelwar v. State of Maharashtra, State of CG v. Sahu Steel, or Manoharlal v. State of MP in two sentences, you understand the chapter. If not, return to the statutory section and rebuild from there.
All 17 chapters, in 3 groups
Sequenced through the natural structure of the subject — every chapter sits in a doctrinal cluster.Foundations — Tenure & Records
Sections 1–130 — the framework
The Code’s scope and applicability across Chhattisgarh, the post-2000 continuation of the MP Land Revenue Code 1959 with State-specific amendments. The definitions including land, holding, bhumiswami, bhumidhari, gaon panchayat. The Section 158 bhumiswami with full transferable rights, Section 159 bhumidhari with restricted rights. The classes of land including land vested in the State.
Introduction — History, Object, Adoption from MP
CGLR · 02Definitions — Land, Holder, Tenant, Bhumiswami (Section 2)
CGLR · 03Revenue Officers — Hierarchy and Powers (Sections 11–28)
CGLR · 04Revenue Survey and Settlement (Sections 33–58)
CGLR · 05Record of Rights — Maintenance, Updation (Sections 105–115)
Tribal Protection, Partition & Mutation
Sections 165–220 — substantive law
The Section 165 restriction on alienation by aboriginal tribals to non-tribals without Collector’s permission — of special significance in Chhattisgarh’s tribal-majority districts. The Section 178 partition of holdings before the Sub-Divisional Officer. The Section 191 succession rules including the order of heirs. The Section 220 mutation procedure on succession or transfer.
Mutation of Land Records
CGLR · 07Categories of Tenants — Bhumiswami, Bhumidhar, Government Lessee
CGLR · 08Rights and Liabilities of Bhumiswami
CGLR · 09Land Revenue Assessment and Recovery (Sections 116–158)
CGLR · 10Diversion of Agricultural Land for Non-Agricultural Use (Section 59)
CGLR · 11Partition of Holdings (Sections 159–183)
Civil-Court Bar, Authorities & Wrap-Up
Sections 230–261 + reference
The Section 257 bar on civil court jurisdiction in matters within the Code. The hierarchy of revenue authorities — Patwari, Tahsildar, Sub-Divisional Officer, Collector, Commissioner, Board of Revenue. The appellate framework. The interface with the Indian Succession Act, the Hindu Succession Act, the Forest Acts, and the Fifth Schedule provisions. The landmark Chhattisgarh High Court and Supreme Court decisions on the Land Revenue Code.