Land Revenue Systems in South Asia: A Comparative Legal and Institutional Study of Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to provide a comparative analysis of Land Revenue Systems in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh by shedding light on their historical legacies, governance mechanisms, legal frameworks, and future reform strategies. Despite sharing a common history of British legacy, each country introduced divergent post-independence land reforms with varying degrees of success; India and Bangladesh introduced tenant-friendly reforms, whereas, Pakistan continued to keep itself in the chains of feudal lord culture. The research adopts a historical-institutional approach, adhering to a qualitative methodology and document analysis. Sampling encompasses the evaluation of the laws of Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. Key findings highlight that Bangladesh and India have advanced equitable land redistribution policies through various initiatives, whereas Pakistan’s reforms were inhibited by elite capture. Ergo, the study recommends adaption to best international land revenue practices, digitization of land records, robust tenancy protections, advanced land-ownership initiatives, and cross-border policy.