This document defines surveying and discusses its main divisions and classifications. Surveying is determining the relative positions of objects on Earth's surface by taking horizontal and vertical measurements. It can be divided into plane surveying, which neglects Earth's curvature, and geodetic surveying, which accounts for curvature. Surveying instruments include those for ranging, direct measurement, indirect measurement, determining directions, measuring slopes and heights, simultaneous surveying and plotting, and photographic surveying. Surveys can also be classified by the instruments used, purpose, employed method, place of work, and type of land survey.

2. INTRODUCTION
Define Surveying
Surveying is the art of determining relative position of objects on the surface of the earth by taking
measurement in the horizontal and vertical plane. The measurements are drawn to convenient reduced size
on paper known as maps or plans
Main Division of Surveying
Surveying may be divided into the following two main classes:
1. Plane Surveying
2. Geodetic Surveying
 Plane Surveying: The surveys where the effect of curvature of the earth is neglected assuming the
earth’s surface to be plane are called Plane Surveying.
 Geodetic Surveying: The surveys where the curvature of the earth is taken into account is called
Geodetic Surveying.

3. Instruments Used for Taking Measurements
The Instruments commonly used for taking surveying measurements may be divided into the
following main classes:
1. Instruments used for ranging and laying out survey line such as ranging rod, line ranger, cross-
staff, optical square etc.
2. Instruments used for direct measurements of length such as chain, tape, steel band etc.
3. Instruments used for measurements of length indirectly such as tachometer, subtense bar,
Electronic Distance Measurement Instruments etc.
4. Instruments used for determining direction of lines such as prismatic compass, box-sextant,
theodolite etc.
5. Instrument used for measuring slopes and heights such as clinometer, level etc.
6. Instrument used for surveying and plotting simultaneously such as plain table.
7. Instrument used for surveying by photographic means such as Photo theodolite

4. Generals Classification of surveys:
Survey may be classifying different ways
According to the instruction used such as,
 Chain survey
 Compass survey
 Plane table survey
 Theodolite survey

5. Generals Classification of surveys:
According to the purpose of survey such as,
Mine survey to explore the mineral wealth such as gold,
copper, coal etc. within the earth crust
Geological survey to determine different strata in the
earth’s crust.
Archaeological survey to trace customs or relics of the past
Military survey to determine points of strategic important.

6. Generals Classification of surveys:
According to the method employed such as,
Triangulation survey
Traverse survey
According to the place of work such as,
Land survey for object on earth’s surface.
Hydrographical or marine survey for object under water.
Aerial survey by airplane in air.

7. Generals Classification of surveys:
Land survey can be further sub-divided in to the following classes:
Topographical Survey: This is used for determining the natural feature of the country such as lakes, rivers,
hills, woods and nallahs etc. and also the artificial object such as canals, railways,
roads, towns and village
Cadastral survey: This is usually plotted to a larger scale than topographical survey. Additional details
such as boundaries of fields, houses and other property are determined.
City survey: This is performed in connection with town planning schemes such as drainage, water
supplies etc. and for lying out plots, roads, streets etc.
Engineering survey: This is carried out for determining the feasibility of any engineering project and
collection of field data as required for the design etc.