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UPSC CSE Prelims 2015 · GS Paper I · Question 55 · Early medieval kingdoms (c. 700–1200)

With reference to Indian history, which of the following is/are the essential element/elements of…

UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2015, General Studies Paper I, Question 55 — Early medieval kingdoms (c. 700–1200).

Prelims 2015 · Q55

Early medieval kingdoms (c. 700–1200) Medium

With reference to Indian history, which of the following is/are the essential element/elements of the feudal system?

  1. 1.A very strong centralized political authority and a very weak provincial or local political authority
  2. 2.The emergence of an administrative structure based on control and possession of the land
  3. 3.Creation of lord-vassal relationship between the feudal lord and his overlord

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Answer & explanation

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

Feudalism rests on land control and lord-vassal bonds, with power dispersed to local lords; a strong centre with weak local authority is the opposite.

  • ✗ 1. Feudalism means weak central authority and powerful local lords.
  • ✓ 2. Administration rested on control and possession of land.
  • ✓ 3. Lord-vassal relationship is central.

Remember · Feudalism: land-based control plus lord-vassal bonds, weak centre.

📘 Read it in NCERT: Class 11 Themes in World History, Ch 4 (practise this chapter)

Sources

Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2015, General Studies Paper I. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 24 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·

Cite this question: UPSC CSE Prelims 2015, Q55 — minimalistias.com/pyqs/prelims/2015/q55

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