Explanations:The Delhi Sultanate, which ruled large parts of the Indian subcontinent from the 13th to the 16th century, employed various administrative systems to govern its vast territories. One of the most significant of these was the Iqta system. The Iqta system was a land grant system where the Sultan would grant a piece of land (iqta) to a military officer or noble (iqta holder) in exchange for military service. The iqta holder would collect revenue from the land and use it to maintain a military force, which would be available to the Sultan when needed.
The Iqta system was a crucial part of the Delhi Sultanate's administrative framework. It allowed the Sultan to maintain a large and effective military force without having to bear the full cost of maintaining it. The iqta holders were responsible for the administration of their territories, including the collection of taxes and the maintenance of law and order. This system was effective in maintaining the Sultan's control over the vast territories of the Delhi Sultanate.
The Amara-nayaka system, which was used in later periods, was influenced by the Iqta system. The Amara-nayaka system was a system of land grants and administrative divisions used in various parts of India, particularly in the Vijayanagara Empire and other regional kingdoms. In this system, land was granted to local chieftains (nayakas) who were responsible for the administration of their territories and the collection of taxes. The nayakas were expected to provide military service to the central authority in exchange for their land grants.
The Amara-nayaka system borrowed many features from the Iqta system, such as the concept of land grants and the expectation of military service in exchange for the grants. The nayakas, like the iqta holders, were responsible for the administration of their territories and the collection of taxes. This system allowed the central authority to maintain control over its territories by delegating administrative and military responsibilities to local chieftains.
Understanding the Iqta system and its influence on later administrative systems is crucial for comprehending the evolution of governance in medieval India. The Iqta system was a significant innovation in the Delhi Sultanate's administration, and its influence can be seen in the Amara-nayaka system and other similar systems used in later periods. This understanding is essential for students preparing for competitive examinations that cover Indian history and administrative systems.