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Difficulty: MediumMedieval Indian Dynasties, Administration, and Regional Kingdoms

With reference to the revenue administration and governance under Sher Shah Suri, consider the following statements:

1. The empire was divided into administrative units called *Sarkars*, which were further subdivided into *Parganas*.
2. The *Shiqdar-i-Shiqgaran* was the chief judicial officer at the *Pargana* level responsible for settling civil and land disputes.
3. Additional administrative cesses known as *Jaribana* (surveyor's fee) and *Mahasilana* (tax collector's fee) were levied on cultivators in addition to the standard land revenue.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 and 3 onlyAnswer
  2. B
    1 and 2 only
  3. C
    2 and 3 only
  4. D
    1, 2 and 3

Answer

1 and 3 only
The statements confirming the division of the empire into Sarkars and Parganas (statement 1) and the levy of Jaribana and Mahasilana cesses on land revenue (statement 3) are historically accurate. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Shiqdar-i-Shiqgaran was a Sarkar-level executive officer rather than a Pargana-level judicial officer.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze statement 1 regarding territorial divisions.
Sher Shah Suri divided his empire into 47 Sarkars, each of which was further subdivided into several Parganas. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
Territorial organization formed the bedrock of Suri provincial administration.
2
Analyze statement 2 regarding administrative roles and duties.
The Shiqdar-i-Shiqgaran was the Chief Shiqdar posted at the Sarkar (district) level to maintain law and order and supervise executive officials. Civil judicial duties at the Sarkar level were under the Munsif-i-Munsifan, while at the Pargana level, judicial and measurement duties were handled by the Amin or Munsif. Thus, statement 2 is incorrect.
Confusing administrative titles and operational levels is a common error in medieval administrative history.
3
Analyze statement 3 regarding revenue charges and cesses.
Cultivators paid the basic land revenue (usually one-third of produce) plus additional charges: Jaribana (surveyor's charge, ranging around 2.5%2.5\%) and Mahasilana (collection charge, around 5%5\%). Thus, statement 3 is correct.
Sher Shah introduced standardized survey and tax collection fees alongside the land assessment.

Key Concept

Sher Shah Suri's Administrative System and Revenue Cesses
Estimated Time:1m 15s
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Topics

Medieval Indian Dynasties, Administration, and Regional Kingdoms

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