Microtheme: Medieval Administration —
9 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

1. [2022] In medieval India, the term “Fanam” referred to:
   • (a) Clothing
   • (b) Coins
   • (c) Ornaments
   • (d) Weapons
   Correct Answer: (B) Coins
2. [2022] With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as “Kulah-Daran”?
   • (a) Arab merchants
   • (b) Qalandars
   • (c) Persian calligraphists
   • (d) Sayyids
   Correct Answer: (D) Sayyids
3. [2021] With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size?
   • (a) Paragana—Sarkar—Suba
   • (b) Sarkar—Paragana—Suba
   • (c) Suba—Sarkar—Paragana
   • (d) Paragana—Suba—Sarkar
   Correct Answer: (A) Paragana—Sarkar—Suba
4. [2020] With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs:
   (1) Anurang – In-charge of treasury of the State
   (2) Banian – Indian agent of the East India Company
   (3) Mirasidar – Designated revenue payer to the State
   Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
   • (a) 1 and 2 only
   • (b) 2 and 3 only
   • (c) 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
5. [2019] Consider the following statements:
   1. In the revenue administration of Delhi Sultanate, the in-charge of revenue collection was known as ‘Amil’.
   2. The Iqta system of Sultans of Delhi was an ancient indigenous institution.
   3. The office of ‘Mir Bakshi’ came into existence during the reign of Khalji Sultans of Delhi.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 1 and 2 only
   • (c) 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (A) 1 only
6. [2019] With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar?
   1. Jagirdars were holders of land assignments in lieu of judicial and police duties, whereas Zamindars were holders of revenue rights without obligation to perform any duty other than revenue collection.
   2. Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary and revenue rights of Zamindars were not hereditary.
   Select the correct answer using the code given below.
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2 only
   • (c) Both 1 and 2
   • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
   Correct Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2
7. [2016] With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term ‘Araghatta’ refers to
   • (a) bonded labour
   • (b) land grant made to military officers
   • (c) waterwheel used in the irrigation of land
   • (d) wasteland converted to cultivated land
   Correct Answer: (C) waterwheel used in the irrigation of land
8. [2015] With reference to Indian History, which of the following is/are the essential element/elements of the feudal system?
   (1) A very strong centralized political authority and a very weak provincial or local political authority
   (2) Emergence of administrative structure based on control and possession of land
   (3) Creation of lord-vassal relationship between the feudal lord and his overlord
   Select the correct answer using the code given below.
   • (a) 1 and 2 only
   • (b) 2 and 3 only
   • (c) 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
9. [2014] In medieval India, the designations ‘Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila’ were used for
   • (a) military officers
   • (b) village officers
   • (c) specialists in Vedic rituals
   • (d) chiefs of craft guilds
   Correct Answer: (B) village officers