Satak Unit | All you need to know
Satak (also spelled Shotok, Shotangsho, Shatak, Satok, Sotok, or Dismil in some regions) is a traditional unit of land area measurement widely used in Bangladesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Tripura, and neighboring parts of the Indian subcontinent. The term originates from the Bengali word Shotangsho, meaning "one hundredth part," because one Satak represents exactly one-hundredth of an Acre. Satak remains one of the most commonly used units for measuring residential plots, agricultural land, and small real estate parcels.
Satak Definition
A Satak is equal to:
- 1 Decimal
- 1 Shotangsho (Shotok)
- 0.01 Acre
- 435.6 Square Feet
- 48.4 Square Yards
- 40.4686 Square Meters
- 0.00404686 Hectares
Because Satak and Decimal are identical measurements, both names are often used interchangeably in land deeds, property advertisements, mutation records, survey reports, and land registration documents.
History of Satak
The Satak system evolved from traditional land measurement practices used throughout Bengal during the British colonial period. As land administration became more structured, Acre-based measurements were introduced for surveying and taxation. To simplify the subdivision of larger land parcels, local landowners and surveyors adopted Satak as one-hundredth of an Acre. Over time, Satak became deeply integrated into rural and urban land transactions across Bangladesh and eastern India.
Even today, many people describe property size in Satak rather than Square Feet or Square Meters because the unit is familiar and easy to understand in local real estate markets.
Where Is Satak Used?
Satak is primarily used in:
- Bangladesh
- West Bengal
- Bihar
- Jharkhand
- Tripura
- Other Bengali-speaking regions
Property buyers, sellers, surveyors, real estate agents, developers, and land registration offices frequently use Satak when discussing plot sizes. In Bangladesh, Satak (Shotok) is commonly referenced in khatian records, mutation documents, land registration papers, and property advertisements.
Why Is Satak Important?
Satak provides a convenient way to describe small and medium-sized plots of land. While larger properties may be measured in Acres or Hectares, most residential plots are easier to communicate using Satak. For example:
- 3 Satak plot = Small residential plot
- 5 Satak plot = Common urban housing plot
- 10 Satak plot = Medium-sized residential property
- 100 Satak = 1 Acre
Because of its practical size, Satak remains one of the most widely recognized land measurement units in Bangladesh and eastern India.
Satak and Decimal: Are They Different?
No. Satak and Decimal are exactly the same unit. Different regions and communities simply use different names for the same measurement. In Bangladesh, the terms Satak, Shotok, Shotangsho, and Decimal are often used interchangeably. Therefore:
- 1 Satak = 1 Decimal
- 10 Satak = 10 Decimal
- 50 Satak = 50 Decimal
- 100 Satak = 1 Acre
This is why converting Satak to Decimal never changes the numerical value.
Common Satak Conversions
| Satak | Equivalent Area |
|---|---|
| 1 Satak | 435.6 sq ft |
| 2 Satak | 871.2 sq ft |
| 5 Satak | 2,178 sq ft |
| 10 Satak | 4,356 sq ft |
| 20 Satak | 8,712 sq ft |
| 50 Satak | 21,780 sq ft |
| 100 Satak | 1 Acre |
Related Traditional Land Units
Satak is often used together with other traditional land measurement units such as:
- Katha (Cottah)
- Bigha
- Kani
- Gonda
- Kora
- Decimal
- Acre
- Square Feet
- Square Meter
Understanding the relationship between these units is essential when interpreting historical land records, surveying reports, and property transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Square Feet are in 1 Satak?
1 Satak equals 435.6 Square Feet.
Is Satak the same as Decimal?
Yes. 1 Satak is exactly equal to 1 Decimal.
How many Satak make 1 Acre?
100 Satak make 1 Acre.
How many Square Meters are in 1 Satak?
1 Satak equals approximately 40.4686 Square Meters.
Conclusion
Satak is one of the most important traditional land measurement units in Bangladesh and eastern India. Equal to one-hundredth of an Acre, it remains widely used for property transactions, land registration, agricultural planning, and real estate development. Because Satak is identical to Decimal, understanding this unit makes it easier to interpret land records and compare property sizes across different measurement systems.