What documents should I check before buying agricultural land?

Verify the records carefully before paying anything. The key documents and checks are: the current record of rights (7/12, khatauni, jamabandi or RoR) to confirm the seller's name and the area; the mutation entries and the chain of past records to see how the seller got the land; the previous sale or inheritance deeds to trace the title; the village map or shajra to check the plot shape and boundaries; an encumbrance check to see if the land is mortgaged or has a loan or court attachment; and the latest land revenue or tax receipts. Also confirm the land is not restricted land such as tribal or assigned land that cannot be freely sold, that there is no pending court case, and that the actual area on the ground matches the record by getting it measured. Other practical steps: insist all co-owners and heirs sign if it is jointly held, check that there is no tenant with rights, and verify the seller's identity. It is strongly advised to get a local lawyer to do a title check before you buy. Confirm record copies at the tehsil and the encumbrance position at the sub-registrar. This is general information, not legal advice.