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Themes in Indian History, Part II

Class 12 · History

Theme 8 · Peasants, Zamindars and the State: Agrarian Society and the Mughal Empire (c. sixteenth–seventeenth centuries)

Real UPSC Prelims questions from 2016–2026, linked to this book. Try each one first, then open the answer. 2026 answers follow UPSC's provisional answer key.

Prelims 2019 · Q1

With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar?

1.Jagirdars were holders of land assignments in lieu of judicial and police duties, whereas Zamindars were holders of revenue rights without obligation to perform any duty other than revenue collection.
2.Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary and revenue rights of Zamindars were not hereditary.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Show answer

UPSC's answer: (d)

NCERT answers it: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part II, Theme 8 (Peasants, Zamindars and the State: Agrarian Society and the Mughal Empire (c. sixteenth–seventeenth centuries)).

How to solve it with NCERT: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part II, Theme 8. Jagirs were revenue assignments to mansabdars and 'they were transferred periodically', so they were not hereditary: statement 2 is false. Zamindars kept armed forces and performed services (khidmat) for the state, so they weren't just revenue collectors: statement 1 is false. Answer (d).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2019), question 1 ↗

Prelims 2021 · Q45

With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size?

(a)Paragana—Sarkar—Suba
(b)Sarkar—Paragana—Suba
(c)Suba—Sarkar—Paragana
(d)Paragana—Suba—Sarkar

Show answer

UPSC's answer: (a)

NCERT answers it: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part II, Theme 8 (Peasants, Zamindars and the State: Agrarian Society and the Mughal Empire (c. sixteenth–seventeenth centuries)).

Themes in Indian History, Part II (Theme 8): a Mughal suba (province) was divided into sarkars, and a pargana was a subdivision within them. Smallest to largest: pargana, sarkar, suba. So (a).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2021), question 45 ↗

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