Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 304

The territories of the sultanate were divided into 2 category ..... And .....

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Think about the administrative divisions used during the Sultanate period.

Correct Answer: A) Khalsa and Jagirs.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Civil Services

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

The Sultanate period in Indian history refers to the era when various Muslim dynasties ruled parts of the Indian subcontinent. One of the key aspects of the Sultanate administration was the division of its territories into two main categories: Khalsa and Jagirs. Understanding these divisions is crucial for comprehending the administrative structure and governance of the Sultanate.

Khalsa: The term "Khalsa" refers to the lands that were directly controlled by the Sultan. These lands were under the direct administration of the central government, and the revenue from these lands was collected by the Sultan's officials. The Khalsa lands were considered the most valuable and were used to support the Sultan's court, army, and other state functions. The revenue from these lands was crucial for the Sultan's financial stability and military power.

Jagirs: Jagirs were lands that were granted to nobles, military leaders, and other officials as a form of revenue collection. The recipients of Jagirs were responsible for collecting the revenue from these lands and remitting a portion of it to the Sultan. In return, they were allowed to keep a portion of the revenue for their own use. Jagirs were a way to reward loyal officials and to ensure the loyalty of the nobility and military leaders. They also served as a means of decentralizing the administration and allowing local officials to manage their own territories.

The division of the Sultanate territories into Khalsa and Jagirs was a significant aspect of the administrative structure. It allowed the Sultan to maintain control over the most valuable lands while also ensuring the loyalty of his officials through the grant of Jagirs. This system of administration was effective in maintaining the stability and power of the Sultanate.

It is important to note that the terms "Khalsa" and "Jagirs" are specific to the Sultanate period and should not be confused with other administrative divisions used in different historical periods. For example, the term "Sijdah" and "Paibos" mentioned in the incorrect options are not recognized administrative divisions of the Sultanate territories.

Understanding the administrative divisions of the Sultanate is essential for students preparing for competitive examinations such as the UPSC, SSC, and Civil Services. It is a part of the broader historical knowledge required to understand the governance and administration of medieval India.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is correct. The territories of the Sultanate were indeed divided into two categories: Khalsa and Jagirs. Khalsa lands were directly controlled by the Sultan, while Jagirs were granted to nobles and military leaders as a form of revenue collection.
  • Option B: This option is incorrect. Sijdah and Paibos are not recognized administrative divisions of the Sultanate territories. These terms do not correspond to any known historical administrative divisions used during the Sultanate period.
  • Option C: This option is incorrect. Since Option B is incorrect, the phrase "Either (A) or (B)" cannot be correct. The correct division of the Sultanate territories is Khalsa and Jagirs, as stated in Option A.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect. Since Option A is correct, the phrase "Neither (A) nor (B)" cannot be correct. The correct division of the Sultanate territories is Khalsa and Jagirs, as stated in Option A.

Mnemonic: KJ for Khalsa and Jagirs

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