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Difficulty: MediumMedieval Indian Dynasties, Administration, and Regional Kingdoms

Consider the following statements regarding the administrative reforms introduced by Mahmud Gawan in the Bahmani Sultanate:

1. He subdivided the traditional four provinces (tarafs) into eight administrative units to curb the independence of provincial governors.
2. He placed several key royal forts directly under central control, appointing fort commanders (qiladars) responsible to the Sultan.
3. He initiated a systematic survey of land and fixed state revenue based on actual measurement of agricultural holdings.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A
    1 and 2 only
  2. B
    2 and 3 only
  3. 1, 2 and 3Answer
  4. D
    1 and 3 only

Answer

All three statements are correct.
All three statements are historically accurate. Mahmud Gawan, serving as the Prime Minister (Wazir) of the Bahmani Sultanate under Muhammad Shah III, instituted sweeping centralising reforms. He divided the 4 existing provinces into 8, brought important forts under central command via appointed qiladars, and conducted systematic land measurement for revenue estimation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Statement 1 regarding territorial division.
Mahmud Gawan reorganized the Bahmani kingdom by splitting the four existing large provinces (tarafs—Gulbarga, Daulatabad, Berar, and Bidar) into eight smaller tarafs to restrict provincial governors' power.
Smaller provinces reduced the resource base and military strength of individual tarafdars.
2
Analyze Statement 2 regarding military and fort control.
He separated fort administration from provincial governorship by placing royal forts under directly appointed fort commanders (qiladars) who answered to the Sultan.
This prevented provincial governors from misusing fort garrisons for rebellions.
3
Analyze Statement 3 regarding land measurement and revenue assessment.
Mahmud Gawan introduced a systematic survey and measurement of agricultural lands to determine boundaries and assess state revenue accurately.
Land measurement ensured fair revenue collection and stabilized state finances.

Key Concept

Bahmani Administrative and Military Reforms under Mahmud Gawan
Estimated Time:1m 15s
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Topics

Medieval Indian Dynasties, Administration, and Regional Kingdoms

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