The territorial units assigned to military commanders in the Delhi Sultanate were known as ______.
Iqta
Understanding Territorial Units in the Delhi Sultanate
The question asks about the term used for the territorial units assigned to military commanders during the Delhi Sultanate period. This administrative system was crucial for governing the vast territories controlled by the Sultans.
What were Iqtas?
During the Delhi Sultanate, the empire was divided into several large and small tracts of land for administrative purposes. These tracts were known as Iqtas. An Iqta was essentially a territorial assignment.
- Military commanders or nobles were granted these Iqtas.
- The person holding the Iqta was called an Iqtadar or Muqti.
- The primary duty of the Iqtadar was to maintain law and order within their territory.
- They were also responsible for collecting revenue from the Iqta.
- A significant portion of the collected revenue was used to maintain a contingent of troops.
- These troops were then available for service to the Sultan whenever needed.
- Any surplus revenue, after meeting expenses and maintaining troops, was supposed to be sent to the central treasury.
This system served a dual purpose: it helped in effective administration and revenue collection across the Sultanate, and it ensured the Sultan had a ready supply of soldiers.
Examining the Options
Let's look at the other options to understand why 'Iqta' is the correct term:
| Term | Description | Relevance to the Question |
|---|---|---|
| Iqta | Territorial unit assigned to military commanders (Iqtadars) for administration and revenue collection, used to maintain troops for the Sultan. | Directly answers the question about territorial units assigned to military commanders. |
| Ushr | A religious tax, specifically a tithe (one-tenth) on agricultural produce from lands owned by Muslims. | A type of tax, not a territorial unit. |
| Kharaj | Land tax levied on non-Muslims. It was the principal land revenue demand. | A type of tax, not a territorial unit. |
| Hundi | A financial instrument, a form of bill of exchange used for transferring money over distance. Primarily used by merchants and bankers. | A financial term/instrument, not a territorial unit or administrative division. |
Based on the definitions, 'Iqta' is the only term that refers to a territorial unit assigned to military commanders in the Delhi Sultanate for administrative and military purposes.
Conclusion
The territorial units assigned to military commanders in the Delhi Sultanate were known as Iqtas. This administrative system was fundamental to the governance and military structure of the Sultanate.
Revision Table: Key Terms of Delhi Sultanate Administration
| Term | Significance |
|---|---|
| Iqta | Territorial assignment; basis of provincial administration and military structure. |
| Iqtadar/Muqti | Holder of an Iqta; responsible for administration, revenue, and military contingent. |
| Ushr | Religious land tax (1/10th) on Muslim landholders. |
| Kharaj | Land tax on non-Muslim landholders. |
| Diwan-i-Wizarat | Department of Finance. |
| Ariz-i-Mumalik | Head of the Military Department. |
Additional Information: The Iqta System Evolution
The Iqta system was not static throughout the Delhi Sultanate period. It evolved over time:
- Initially, it was a way to distribute resources and military responsibilities.
- Under rulers like Alauddin Khalji, there was an attempt to bring more land under central control and streamline revenue collection, reducing the power of Iqtadars.
- Firoz Shah Tughlaq, however, made the Iqta assignments hereditary in some cases, which weakened the central control over these territories in the long run.
- The system helped in the expansion and consolidation of the Sultanate but also contributed to decentralization in later periods as the power of Iqtadars grew.
Understanding the Iqta system is key to understanding the administrative and military organization of the Delhi Sultanate.
Important Questions from Delhi Sultanate
The city of Dhillika (Delhi) was founded by the:
The fifth storey of Qutub Minar was built during the reign of:
Who among the following introduced the practice of Sijda (prostration) and Paibos (kissing the feet of monarch) in the court?
Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi and captured Delhi and Agra in the year _______.
Which of the following dynasties was NOT a part of the Delhi Sultanate ?
