UPSC CSE Pre 2016

South Indian Administration and Education

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs: 1. **Eripatti:** Land, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank 2. **Taniyurs:** Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins 3. **Ghatikas:** Colleges generally attached to the temples Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: D

Concept South Indian administrative and cultural systems used specific terminology for land categories, settlement types, and educational institutions.

Explanation
Eripatti (Pair 1): Verified as a special category of land in the Pallava period whose revenue maintained village irrigation tanks.
Taniyurs (Pair 2): In Chola administration, a Taniyur was a large village forming an independent revenue unit (not necessarily a Brahmin-donated village, which was an 'Agrahara').
Ghatikas (Pair 3): Verified as South Indian centers of learning/colleges, often attached to temples.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Pair 1 is correct; the maintenance of water bodies was a local administrative priority.
Logic 2: Pair 2 is incorrect; while Brahmadeyas were Brahmin grants, Taniyurs were simply large revenue-distinct villages.
Logic 3: Pair 3 is correct; Ghatikas were essential cultural and educational hubs in kingdoms like the Pallavas.

Active Recall

Question

What was the primary function of a Ghatika?

Answer

Ghatikas were institutions of higher learning, typically focusing on religious and Vedic studies, often situated within temple premises.

Core Insight

The existence of Eripatti highlights the sophisticated community-based irrigation management systems in ancient South India.