Paṭṭā
/ˈpət̪ːaː/noun
In South Asian legal usage, a patta is a document granting or recording rights to land, especially a lease or land title.
Did you know?In historical South Asian administration, a patta could function as written proof of land rights, making the word closely connected to ownership, taxation, and political power.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
paṭṭa
“A strip or band of cloth; also a tablet or written document.”
Medieval Sanskrit
Sanskrit
paṭṭa
“A written grant, charter, or document conferring authority or rights.”
Medieval and Early Modern India
Prakrits and regional languages
paṭṭā
“A deed, grant, or document relating to land or tenure.”
18th–19th Century
Anglo-Indian English
patta
“A document granting land, commonly used in colonial administrative and revenue records.”
Modern English
English
patta
“A South Asian land deed, lease, or title document.”