U.P.P.C.S. Pre 1997

Administrative Innovations in Medieval India

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Match list-I with list-II and select the correct answer: | List-I | List-II | | :--- | :--- | | A. Akbar | 1. Sadak-I-Azam | | B. Muhammad Tughluq | 2. Chahalghani nobles | | C. Iltutmish | 3. Ain-i-Dahsala | | D. Sher Shah | 4. Token currency |

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept This question synthesizes various administrative, structural, and monetary reforms from across the Sultanate and Mughal periods.

Explanation
Akbar introduced the Ain-i-Dahsala (Ten-Year Settlement) system (A-3).
Muhammad Tughluq is infamous for his failed Token currency experiment (B-4).
Iltutmish formed the Chahalghani (Corps of Forty) elite nobles (C-2).
Sher Shah constructed the Sadak-I-Azam (Grand Trunk Road) (D-1).

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option B is the correct sequence. Akbar's revenue system and Sher Shah's road project are hallmark achievements in Indian history.
Logic 2: Iltutmish's consolidation of power via the Turkish slave-elite (Chahalghani) provided the military backbone of the early Sultanate.

Active Recall

Question

What was the Ain-i-Dahsala?

Answer

It was a refined land revenue system where taxes were based on the average produce and prices of the preceding ten years.

Core Insight

These reforms illustrate the evolution of the Indian state toward more scientific and systematic governance over 500 years.