UPSC CSE Prelims
Central Administration Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Practice solved questions for Central Administration with detailed step-by-step solutions, key insights, and trend analysis for UPSC CSE PRELIMS.
Solved Previous Year Questions
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With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — Paragana- Sarkar- Suba
The administrative divisions in medieval India, particularly during the Mughal period, were organized hierarchically with Pargana being the smallest unit comprising a group of villages, Sarkar as a mid-level division (district) formed by grouping several Parganas, and Suba as the largest provincial division encompassing multiple Sarkars. This ascending order of Pargana → Sarkar → Suba reflects the administrative structure from the grassroots village cluster level to the provincial level.
📝 Short Notes: Mughal Administrative Divisions
| Administrative Unit | Description | Equivalent Modern Term |
|---|---|---|
| Pargana | Smallest administrative unit consisting of a group of villages (typically 100-150 villages) | Sub-district/Tehsil |
| Sarkar | Mid-level division formed by grouping several Parganas | District |
| Suba | Largest provincial division headed by a Subedar (governor), encompassing multiple Sarkars | Province/State |
| Empire Level | Akbar divided his empire into 15 Subas (later expanded to 21 under Aurangzeb) | Central Administration |
- Revenue Administration: At the Pargana level, the key officials were Shiqdar (law and order), Amin (land revenue assessment), and Munsif (records and accounts).
- Provincial Governance: Each Suba was headed by a Subedar/Sipahsalar (governor) who was responsible for military and civil administration.
- Financial Control: The Diwan (finance minister) at the Suba level managed revenue collection and financial matters independently of the Subedar to ensure checks and balances.
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