Daily Static Quiz (Ancient and Medieval India) January 7, 2026

Daily Static Quiz (Ancient and Medieval India) January 7, 2026

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the administrative organization during the post-Harsha period based on historical records:

1. The term “Rajuka” referred to officials responsible for measuring and assessing land for revenue purposes.

2. The “Akshapataladhikara” was an office exclusively concerned with the maintenance of military records and arsenal inventories.

3. The practice of maintaining detailed land surveys was discontinued during this period compared to the earlier Mauryan administrative system.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q2. With reference to the socio-economic conditions of the Sangam age in South India, which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the classification of lands?

1. “Mullai” represented pastoral forest lands primarily used for cattle rearing.

2. “Marutham” referred to fertile river valleys used for intensive agricultural production.

3. “Neidal” characterized the coastal regions and was predominantly associated with fishing and salt production.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Consider the following pairs regarding significant water management structures in ancient India:

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched in terms of kingdom/dynasty attribution and approximate period?

(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) All three pairs
(d) None of the pairs

Q4. A scholar studying the evolution of land tenure systems in medieval India encounters references to “Agrahara” and “Brahmadeya” in inscriptions. Which of the following correctly distinguishes between these two concepts?

(a) Agrahara were villages granted tax-free to military officers, while Brahmadeya were lands given to Brahmins with full revenue immunity.
(b) Agrahara were plots of land within villages gifted individually to Brahmins, while Brahmadeya were entire villages granted to groups of Brahmins with revenue rights.
(c) Both were identical systems used interchangeably across all regions of India during the medieval period.
(d) Agrahara referred to corporate temple lands, while Brahmadeya were personal endowments by kings.

Q5. With reference to the urban centers and trade networks during the classical period, consider the following statements:

1. Tamralipti (modern Tamluk in Bengal) served as the primary port for maritime trade with Southeast Asia and was under direct Mauryan control.

2. Broach functioned as the main port for trade with the Mediterranean and maintained its importance through the Gupta and post-Gupta periods.

3. Supara (modern Sopara) in the Konkan region was exclusively used for internal riverine trade due to its geographic limitations.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q6. The concept of “Vattakirutal” mentioned in Sangam texts has been interpreted by historians as representing a specific social practice. What does this term accurately denote?

(a) A system of ritualistic taxation where tribute was paid through performing arts.
(b) A practice where defeated kings would perform ritual suicide by starvation after military defeat.
(c) A form of oath-taking ceremony conducted in royal courts before prominent witnesses.
(d) A military parade and display of weapons by victorious kingdoms in conquered territories.

Q7. Consider the following events in the history of the Deccan region:

1. Pulakeshin II’s defeat of Harsha at the Narmada river

2. The establishment of Rashtrakuta power under Dantidurga

3. The rise of the Bahmani Sultanate in the 14th century

4. The emergence of Vijayanagara Empire as a major power

What is the correct chronological sequence of these events?

(a) 1-2-4-3
(b) 1-2-3-4
(c) 2-1-4-3
(d) 3-1-2-4

Q8. A source document from the medieval period records that the local administrator “appointed the village headman and assessed taxes on merchants” while also “maintaining records of disputed property and overseeing irrigation maintenance.” Which of the following administrative officials from the Delhi Sultanate best matches these responsibilities?

(a) Kotwal – who maintained law and order in cities
(b) Muqteddar – who collected revenue and maintained administrative records at the district level
(c) Ariz-i-Mumalik – who supervised military affairs and cantonment
(d) Barid-i-Mamalik – who supervised spies and intelligence networks

Q9. With reference to the religious and philosophical developments in ancient India, consider the following statements regarding the philosophical schools:

1. The Samkhya philosophy, as systematized by Kapila, was primarily concerned with the nature of consciousness and the doctrine of “Purusha” (spirit) and “Prakriti” (matter).

2. The Nyaya school of Gautama emphasized logical analysis and epistemology as means to achieve liberation.

3. The Mimamsa school developed primarily to counter Buddhist philosophical challenges and advocated ritual supremacy.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q10. Consider the following architectural and inscriptional references from the early medieval period:

How many of the above are correctly matched regarding ruler attribution and historical significance?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None of them

ANSWER KEY AND EXPLANATIONS

Answer: Q1 – (a) 1 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is CORRECT: The term “Rajuka” was an administrative designation found in post-Harsha sources. Rajakas were officials responsible for land assessment, measurement, and revenue determination in the district-level administration. This role evolved from the earlier Mauryan system where similar officers managed cadastral surveys.

Statement 2 is INCORRECT: The “Akshapataladhikara” (office of records) was established during medieval periods, but its primary function was maintaining administrative and legal records, including revenue accounts, land surveys, and judicial proceedings—not exclusively military records. While military records were maintained, the office had broader bureaucratic functions.

Statement 3 is INCORRECT: Land measurement and surveying actually continued and were refined during the post-Harsha period. The Mahabharata and later administrative texts evidence extensive land measurement systems. Unlike statement 3 suggests, there was no discontinuation; instead, the practice evolved with improved methodologies during regional kingdoms and the medieval sultanates.

Answer: Q2 – (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

All three statements are CORRECT and represent the classical Sangam Tamil classification of lands:

Statement 1 – CORRECT: “Mullai” literally means “jasmine” and represented pastoral, forest, and semi-arid regions. These lands were used primarily for cattle herding, hunting, and pastoral economies. Mullai region was inhabited by pastoral communities and was associated with the life of shepherds and cowboys.

Statement 2 – CORRECT: “Marutham” represented the agricultural heartland—fertile river valley plains (particularly around the Cauvery and other river systems). These lands were subjected to intensive cultivation with sophisticated irrigation systems and produced the primary surplus food grains that supported Tamil kingdoms. Evidence of wet agriculture, paddy fields, and sugarcane cultivation is documented in Sangam texts.

Statement 3 – CORRECT: “Neidal” (from “neey” = waters/sea) characterized the coastal, saline, and desert-brackish regions. These areas were primarily associated with fishing communities, salt production, pearl diving, and maritime trade. The Neidal region’s economic importance in trade and commerce is well-documented in Sangam poetry.

Additionally, two other minor categories existed: “Palai” (wasteland/arid regions) and “Kurinji” (mountainous regions), completing the comprehensive classification system based on geographic, climatic, and economic characteristics.

Answer: Q3 – (b) Only two pairs

Explanation:

Pair 1 – CORRECT: The Kallanai (also called Grand Anicut or Kallanai Dam) is one of India’s oldest dams and was constructed by the Chola ruler (traditionally attributed to Karikala Chola) around the 1st-2nd century CE across the Cauvery River. This sophisticated water management structure demonstrates advanced Chola hydraulic engineering.

Pair 2 – INCORRECT: While Sudarshana Lake was indeed a significant reservoir constructed during the Mauryan period (dating to the reign of Chandragupta Maurya or his descendants, around 3rd century BCE), the attribution needs clarification. The lake is located in Kathiawar (Gujarat) and received maintenance during multiple periods including the Mauryan era. However, some inscriptional evidence suggests it was embellished and repaired by later Saka rulers as well. The statement’s pairing is roughly correct but the lake’s history spans multiple dynasties and periods.

Pair 3 – INCORRECT: While the Pala Empire was indeed a significant patron of irrigation and agricultural development, the specific attribution of “Nalanda Irrigation Works” to the 5th-6th century Pala period is problematic. Nalanda as a Buddhist monastery complex (Nalanda Mahavihara) rose to prominence during the 5th century, but the primary irrigation works in the region predate the consolidated Pala Empire (which emerged in the 8th century under Gopala). The dating and attribution creates an anachronism.

Answer: Q4 – (b)

Explanation:

This question tests understanding of nuanced distinctions in medieval land-grant systems that are frequently confused in historical texts.

Option (a) – INCORRECT: Reverses the correct attribution. Agrahara were not specifically for military officers (that would be “Iqta” or “Jagir”), nor were all Brahmadeya grants universally tax-free without conditions.

Option (b) – CORRECT: This accurately distinguishes the two systems:

• Agrahara: Individual or small group grants of land plots within or near villages to Brahmins. These were typically smaller in scale, involved personal or family holdings, and evolved from village endowments for specific scholars or priestly families. Agrahara grants appear frequently in South Indian (Chola, Pallava, Vijayanagara) inscriptions as individual beneficiary grants.

• Brahmadeya: Entire villages or substantial territorial units granted to groups of Brahmins collectively, with administrative and revenue rights. These were larger in scale and served to establish Brahminical settlements and assert brahminical authority over larger regions. Brahmadeya inscriptions show community-based settlement and administrative organization.

The distinction is critical: Agrahara was granular (individual/small group), while Brahmadeya was systemic (entire village/regional settlement).

Option (c) – INCORRECT: These were distinct systems with different scales, purposes, and regional variations. While both targeted Brahmins, they operated under different principles.

Option (d) – INCORRECT: Agrahara were personal/family holdings, not corporate temple properties. Temple lands (devadana) were distinct from both systems.

Answer: Q5 – (c) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 – CORRECT: Tamralipti (Tamluk/Tamralipta in Bengal, on the Hooghly River) was the principal port for maritime trade, particularly with Southeast Asia. It maintained strategic importance during the Mauryan period under direct state supervision and continued as a major port through subsequent periods. Chinese pilgrims documented its significance. The port handled extensive trade in spices, textiles, and Buddhist texts with Southeast Asian kingdoms.

Statement 2 – CORRECT: Broach (modern Bharuch in Gujarat) was strategically located on the Narmada estuary and served as the primary western port for trade with the Roman Empire, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern regions. It maintained continuous importance from the Mauryan period through the Gupta and post-Gupta eras, as documented by Roman accounts, Sanskrit texts, and Arab geographers. The port’s significance is corroborated by the presence of Roman coins and artifacts at the site.

Statement 3 – INCORRECT: Supara (modern Sopara in Maharashtra) was not limited to internal riverine trade. It was an important coastal port on the Arabian Sea involved in maritime commerce with the Roman Empire and Southeast Asia. Archaeological evidence and inscriptional records prove Supara’s participation in long-distance Indian Ocean trade. The limitation to “internal riverine trade” is factually incorrect.

Answer: Q6 – (b)

Explanation:

“Vattakirutal” (from Tamil: “vatta” = circle/bond; “kirutal” = to cut/break) is a historically documented practice mentioned in Sangam Tamil poetry, particularly in the Akananuru and Purananuru collections.

Option (a) – INCORRECT: This is not a taxation system. While elaborate ritual performances existed in Tamil kingdoms, vattakirutal was not payment through performance arts.

Option (b) – CORRECT: Vattakirutal refers to ritual suicide by starvation undertaken by defeated kings or warriors after military defeat. The practice represented a form of honorable death—a way to maintain dignity following military loss. Rather than face capture or subjugation, defeated rulers would abstain from food and water until death. This practice is documented in multiple Sangam texts where poets lament defeated kings who chose vattakirutal. It reflects the martial code of Tamil kingdoms where honor superseded survival.

Option (c) – INCORRECT: While oath-ceremonies existed, vattakirutal specifically refers to the starvation practice, not ceremonial oath-taking.

Option (d) – INCORRECT: This describes a military parade, not the documented practice of ritual suicide.

The practice finds parallels in other cultures and reflects the cultural values of martial honor and royal dignity in ancient Tamil kingdoms.

Answer: Q7 – (b) 1-2-3-4

Explanation:

Event 1 – Pulakeshin II’s defeat of Harsha (c. 620-630 CE): The Chalukyan king Pulakeshin II achieved a significant military victory against the northerner Harsha’s southward expansion at the Narmada River. This established Chalukya dominance in the Deccan. The Aihole inscription commemorates this success.

Event 2 – Rise of Rashtrakuta under Dantidurga (c. 735-756 CE): Dantidurga, the founder of the Rashtrakuta dynasty, defeated the Chalukyas around the mid-8th century and established Rashtrakuta supremacy in the Deccan. This represented the eclipse of Chalukya power.

Event 3 – Bahmani Sultanate establishment (c. 1347-1350 CE): Muhammad Taghluq (Alauddin Hassan Bahman Shah) founded the Bahmani Sultanate as an independent Muslim kingdom in the Deccan. This marked the transition from Hindu dynastic rule to Islamic sultanate control in the region.

Event 4 – Vijayanagara Empire emergence (c. 1336 CE): The Vijayanagara Empire was founded by Harihara I and Bukka Raya around 1336 CE in South India, rising to become a major power that would eventually dominate South India and compete with the Bahmani Sultanate. While founded slightly earlier than Bahmani’s consolidation, its emergence as a dominant power occurred in the late 14th century.

Correct sequence: 1 (c. 630 CE) → 2 (c. 735 CE) → 3 (c. 1347 CE) → 4 (c. 14th century consolidation)

Answer: Q8 – (b) Muqteddar

Explanation:

The question describes an official with multiple administrative responsibilities: tax assessment, revenue collection, property dispute resolution, and infrastructure maintenance (irrigation). This matches the role of district-level administrators.

Option (a) – INCORRECT: The Kotwal was primarily a law enforcement and city administrator responsible for maintaining order in urban centers, managing jails, and organizing bazaars. While they had some administrative duties, they were not primarily involved in rural revenue assessment and agricultural administration.

Option (b) – CORRECT: The Muqteddar (or Muqta) was the district-level revenue administrator in Delhi Sultanate administrative structure. The Muqteddar’s responsibilities encompassed:

• Revenue assessment and collection (using the Mukti system)

• Land survey and measurement

• Maintenance of administrative records and registers

• Dispute resolution regarding property and land

• Oversight of public works including irrigation systems

• Appointment and supervision of village-level officials (Patwaris/village headmen)

The Muqteddar reported to the Sarkar (provincial authority) and managed the Paragana (district). This matches the described responsibilities perfectly.

Option (c) – INCORRECT: The Ariz-i-Mumalik (Master of the Horse) was a military official responsible for cavalry, military cantonment, and military supplies—not civil revenue or judicial administration.

Option (d) – INCORRECT: The Barid-i-Mamalik was the chief of intelligence and espionage networks (Baridis were spies)—not concerned with routine civil administration or tax collection.

Answer: Q9 – (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

All three statements accurately represent significant aspects of ancient Indian philosophy:

Statement 1 – CORRECT: The Samkhya school (attributed to Kapila) developed a dualistic metaphysical system based on the fundamental distinction between:

• Purusha (consciousness/spirit/subject) – eternal, immutable, inactive

• Prakriti (matter/nature/object) – dynamic, active, composed of three gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas)

The system explains how the interaction of Purusha and Prakriti creates the phenomenal world and how liberation comes from understanding their fundamental separation. This framework significantly influenced later schools, including Yoga and Vedanta.

Statement 2 – CORRECT: The Nyaya school founded by Gautama emphasized:

• Logical analysis and epistemology as primary concerns

• Pramanas (valid means of knowledge): perception, inference, comparison, and testimony

• Systematic methodology for rational inquiry

• Liberation (Moksha) achieved through correct knowledge via logical reasoning

Nyaya philosophy provided the logical toolkit that influenced all subsequent Indian philosophical discourse.

Statement 3 – CORRECT: The Mimamsa school (attributed to Jaimini) crystallized as:

• A defense of Vedic supremacy against heterodox challenges (particularly Buddhist critique of Vedic authority)

• An assertion of ritual efficacy and the importance of Yajna (sacrificial rituals) for spiritual and material prosperity

• A philosophical defense of karma-based worldview through ritual action

• A counter to Buddhist denial of Vedic authority and ritual efficacy

While Mimamsa’s origins predate Buddhism’s major philosophical development, its systematization and argumentative strategies were significantly shaped by engagement with Buddhist philosophy.

Answer: Q10 – (b) Only two

Explanation:

Pair 1 – CORRECT: The Aihole Inscription is indeed associated with King Pulakeshin II of the Chalukya dynasty and explicitly records his military victory over King Harsha (Harshavardhana) at the Narmada River. The inscription is a primary historical document commemorating this significant 7th-century military achievement. This pairing is accurate.

Pair 2 – CORRECT: The early Chalukya cave temples do exhibit architectural influences from the Gupta sculptural traditions. Mangalesa was a Chalukya ruler, and the cave temples from this period show the transitional artistic style incorporating Gupta sculptural conventions with emerging Chalukyan innovations. The integration of Gupta aesthetic principles into Chalukyan patronage is archaeologically documented. This pairing is historically sound.

Pair 3 – INCORRECT: While the Pallava Rathas (monolithic rock-cut temples) at Mahabalipuram are indeed magnificent architectural monuments, they are traditionally attributed to Mahendra Varman I (early-to-mid 7th century, c. 600-630 CE). However, the attribution of these specific rathas to him is disputed among scholars, with some crediting later Pallava rulers like Narasimhavarman I (c. 630-668 CE). More critically, the claim that they were “built during the transitional phase between Pallava and Chalukya dominance” is chronologically problematic. The rathas represent the height of Pallava power and artistic sophistication, not a transitional period. Pallava and Chalukya power ran parallel (sometimes competing) rather than sequential in the 7th century. The rathas are monuments of confident Pallava dominance, not transitional architecture. This pairing contains significant historical inaccuracy.

also read: Early Medieval India