1

By

Terms Asked in Previous Year’s UPSC Prelims

ANCIENT HISTORY: PYQs Terms

Year Terms

2022 Fanam: a small gold or silver coin formerly in widespread use in southern India
2021 Mitakshara: School of inheritance/ System of family laws
(Similarly, Dayabhaga: System of family laws )
In the Mitakshara system, the sons can claim right to the property during the lifetime of
the father, whereas in the Dayabhaga system, it is only after the death of the father that the
sons can claim right to the property.
2020 Paramitas: Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path.
2020 Upasaka: Lay follower of Buddhism
2020 Shramana: Shramanas were Buddhist ascetics who lived a severe and self-denying
lifestyle in order to achieve spiritual emancipation.
2020 Parivrajaka: Renunciant and Wanderer
2020 Kulyavapa and Dronavapa: Units for measurement of land.
2018 Maitreya: Future Buddha, yet to come to save the world.
2018 Sthanakvasi: Associated with Jainism, those who do not have their religious activities
in temples but carry on their religious duties in places known as Sthanakas
2016 Maagadha: Profession of the memorizing of chronicles, dynastic histories and
Epictales.
2015 Tolkappiyam: The book on Tamil Grammar
2013 Nirvana: The extinction of the flame of desire
2013 Viharas: Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks
2013 Chaityas: Chaitya is a place of worship
2012 Guilds (Shreni): Every guild was registered with the central authority of the State and
the king was the chief administrative authority on them. The wages, rules of work,
standards and prices were fixed by the guild. The guild had judicial powers over its
own members.
2012 Bhumisparsha Mudra: Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity and
chastity despite the temptations of Mara.

2
2011 Rita: Rita was the fundamental moral law governing the functioning of the universe
and all it contained.
2011 Dharma: Dharma was a conception of obligations and of the discharge of one’s duties
to oneself and to others.

MEDIEVAL HISTORY: PYQs Terms

Year Terms
2022 Qalandars: wandering ascetic Sufi dervishes
2022 Kulah Daran: Sayyids were known as ‘Kulah Daran’ during Delhi sultanate as they put on a
pointed cap (kulah)
2020 Hundi: Referred to “A bill of exchange” in the sources of the post-Harsha period
2019 Kalyaana Mandapas: Notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom
of Vijayanagar
2017 Taniyurs: Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins.
2017 Ghatikas: Colleges generally attached to the temples
2017 Eripatti: Land revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of
the village tank
2016 Siddhas (Sittars): Monotheistic from Tamil region and condemned idolatry.
2016 Araghatta: Waterwheel used in the irrigation of land
2016 Banjaras: Were traders during the medieval period of Indian history
2014 Pushtimarg: The path of devotion, which is mentioned in the Bhagavadgita
as the direct and the simplest approach to achieve liberation
2014 Bijak: Composition of the teachings of Saint Dadu Dayal.
2014 Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila: Designations were used for village headmen

MODERN HISTORY: PYQs Terms

Year Terms
2020 Ulgulan: The Great Tumult or Ulgulan was a movement started by Birsa
Munda against the exploitation and discrimination against
tribals by the local authorities.
2017 Dyarchy: Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two
Categories
2011 Home Charges: Funds used to support the India Office in London. Funds used
to pay salaries and pensions of British personnel engaged in
India.

3
 1 Ancient History

Sources of History: Key Terms

❖ Radio-Carbon Dating : Method for determining the age of an object

❖ Numismatics: Study of coins
❖ Epigraphy : Study of Inscriptions
❖ Paleography : Study of old writings
❖ Microlith tools : Very refined tools made of micro-sized stones.

Lithic Period: Key Terms

❖ Lithic Periods: Stone Age

❖ Lower Palaeolithic Age: Period between [200,000 BC – 80,000 BC]
❖ Middle Palaeolithic Age: Period between [80,000 BC – 35,000 BC]
❖ Neolithic Age: Period from [10,000 BC]

Harappan/ Indus Valley Civilisation: Key Terms

❖ Citadel: A fortress, typically one on high ground above a city

❖ Gabarbands: A Large old Dam
❖ Meluha: Ancient name given to Indus region
❖ Pictographic: A form of writing which uses images/drawings.
❖ Boustrophedon: Right to left & then left to right writing in the next line.
❖ Bronze Casting: The process of pouring molten bronze into a hollow mould to
create a positive bronze sculpture or object.
❖ Cire Perdue: Process by which a duplicate metal sculpture is cast from an original
sculpture.

History of Early Vedic/Rigvedic Period: Key Terms

❖ Kubha: Modern day Kabul

❖ Himavant: Himalaya
❖ Munjavant: Modern day Hindukush
❖ Sapta Sindhu: Land of seven Rivers - Area where Aryans lived which comprise of
Sindhu and its five tributaries-

4
 ➢ Vitasta (Jhelum)
➢ Asikani (Chenab)
➢ Vipas (Beas)
➢ Parushni (Ravi)
➢ Sutudri (Sutlej) and Saraswati
❖ Sabha (For privileged), Samiti, Vidath, Gana: Assemblies
❖ 4 Varnas: (Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaisya, Shudra) based on the
profession/occupation (not hereditary)
❖ Henotheism (a belief in many gods but each standing out in turns as the highest)

History of Later Vedic Period: Key Terms

❖ Aryavarta (Northern India)

❖ Madhyadesa (Central India)
❖ Dakshinapatha (Southern India).

12 Ratnas (Satapatha Brahamana)

1. Purohit (the Priest) 7. Kshata (gateman)

2. Mahishi (the Queen) 8. Sangrahitri (Treasurer)
3. Yuvaraja (crown prince) 9. Bhagadudha (collector of taxes)
4. Suta/Sarathi (the charioteer) 10. Akshavapa (Accountant)
5. Senani (the general) 11. Palagala (friend of King)
6. Gramini (head of village) 12. Govikarta (Head of forest department)

Key Terms

Administrative Terms: ❖ Ratnin: Officials

❖ Akshvapa: Accountant
❖ Bali sadhaka: Officers for collecting
Bali
❖ Bhagadugha: Tax collector
❖ Gramani: Village chiefs who
functioned as leaders of tribal
regiments.
❖ Kshata: Keeper of the King’s
household
❖ Madhyamasi: Mediator in Disputes
❖ Palagala: Messenger
❖ Senani: Provincial Governor
❖ Jivagribha and Ugra: Police Officers
❖ Sthapathi: Commander-in-Chief
❖ Vid: Knowledge
❖ Samiti: Assembly of people in Vedic
Period
❖ Raja (GopatiJanasya or Janasya
Gopa): King
❖ Pushan: Guardian of hoard, herders,
stray cattle
❖ Vidata: An assembly meant for secular,
religious and military purposes. Here
women were allowed to participate.

5
Economy Terms:
❖ Urvara: Cultivated land
❖ Vrajapati: Officer in charge of
pasture land
❖ Vrihi: Rice
❖ Yava: Crop of barley.
❖ Aval: Wells
❖ Ayas: Copper or bronze
❖ Dhanya: Grains
❖ Gomat: Wealthy person with cattle
wealth
❖ Gopati: Monarch/Raja whose main
duty was to protect cows
❖ Hiranyaka: Goldsmith
❖ Kulya: Canal
❖ Godhuli: Unit of measure of time
❖ Kusidin: Money lending
❖ Nishka, Krishna, and Satmana:
Names of Gold coins used during the
period
❖ Phala, langla, Sira: Plough
Religious/Social Terms:
❖ Adhvaryu: The priest of Yajurveda
❖ Aranyakas: These are Vedic texts
composed by hermits in the forest
❖ Ashwamedh: A sacrifice associated with
Political paramountcy
❖ Aghanya: Not to be killed
❖ Agnihotra: A simple domestic sacrifice
❖ Atithinir: Cow fit for guest
❖ Dasas: Early Aryans
❖ Dasuhatya: Slaughter of Dasyus
❖ Dasyus: Original inhabitants of Indian
Sub-continent
❖ Goghna: Guests during Later Vedic Age
who were fed on cattle
❖ Niyoga: The practice of allowing a
childless widow to cohabit with her
brother-in-law until the birth of a son.
❖ Dikshita: One who had undergone
imitation for Vedic sacrifice
❖ Dvija: Twice born as per the Varna
system
❖ Gavishti: Search for cows
❖ Rajsuya: A sacrifice symbolising cycling
process of regeneration of universe
❖ Samhita: Collection of Vedic hymns
❖ Savitri: The goddess to whom the
Gayatri Mantra is dedicated.
❖ Shrauta: Grand Sacrifice
❖ Udgatri: Priest of Samveda
❖ Upanayan: Leading forth a boy to study
under a teacher.
❖ Duhitri: Daughter: Milcher of Cow
6
 History of South India: The Sangam Dynasties: Key Terms
Administrative Terms:
❖ Arashar: Ruling Class
❖ Ko: King
❖ Konmai Kondan: King of Kings
❖ Brahmadeya: Land gift to Brahmins
❖ Gauvda: Village headman
❖ Heggade: Revenue official
❖ Nagarakkani: Urban revenue unit
❖ Natukul: A memorial celebrating the
death of a brave fighter in war
❖ Nadu: The locality consisting of
several settlements
❖ Nattar: Governing assembly of Natu
❖ Sabah: Assembly of Brahmana in
Brahmadeya village
❖ Taniyur: A Brahmadeya under a
Nadu but free from its jurisdiction
❖ Vattakirutual: Ritual suicide of a
defeated king
❖ Velir: A chief
❖ Vendar: Crowned king
❖ Ervirya: Committee constituted for
the maintenance of tanks developed
for irrigation.
❖ Amaichchar- Minister
❖ Purohita- Priests
❖ Dutar- Envoys
❖ Senapati- Commander
❖ Orar- Spies
Economic Terms:
❖ Iravu: Forced gift
❖ Irai: Tribute paid by feudatories and
booty collected in war
❖ Kalanju: Gold coin of Cholas
❖ Karai: Land tax
❖ Kanatikan: Chief of scribes
❖ Ulgu: Custom duties
❖ Vaishiyar: Traders
❖ Variyam: A unit of territory yielding
tax
❖ Variyar: Tax collector
❖ Mullai: Pastoral tract
❖ Marutam: Wetland
❖ Palai: Pastoral tract
❖ Vellar: Rich peasant
Miscellaneous Terms:
❖ Akam: Love poem
❖ Kudi nikki: A situation in which
previous settled in village were
removed
❖ Kudi ninga: It means that previous
settler should not be disturbed
❖ Kunji: Montane region
❖ Kuti: Clan based descent group of
Sangam society.
❖ Neital: Coastal/littoral
❖ Puram: Poem defining war
❖ Miyatachi: Superior right of donees
❖ Kalatika: Superintendent of Pearls
❖ Karan Kilmai: Subordinate right of
cultivators
❖ Araghatta: Persian wheel
7
 Jainism: Key Terms

Doctrines Five Vows Principles Philosophy

Triratna or Three Pancha ❖ Rejected the Anekantavada

Gems of Jainism: Mahavratas authority of ❖ Theory of
1. Samyak 1. Ahimsa (non- Vedas and Anekantavada
Shradha/Viswa injury) Vedic rituals. is the theory of
s (Right Faith) 2. Satya (non- ❖ Did not believe plurality or
2. Samyak Jnan lying) in the existence multi-
(Right 3. Asteya (non- of God. sidedness.
Knowledge) stealing) ❖ Believed in ❖ Possibility of
3. Samyak Karma 4. Aparigraha Karma and seven modes of
(Right (non- transmigration prediction or
Action/Conduct) possession) of Soul. Saptabhangi
❖ Emphasised on Nayavad.
5. Brahmacharya
(Chastity)- Equality.
added by
Mahavira

Sects of Jainism

❖ Svetambaras or White Clad

➢ Stayed back during famine in Magadha in 298 BC.
➢ Led by Sthulabhadra.
❖ Digambaras or Sky Clad
➢ Went to Deccan and South India. Practised complete nudity.
➢ Led by Bhadrabahu along with Chandragupta Maurya.

Important Terms

❖ Anekantavada: Theory of relative ❖ Shruta jnana: Knowledge revealed

pluralism
❖ Anuvratas: Members who observed
the 5 principles
❖ Arihant: Blessed one
❖ Avadhi jnana: Clairvoyant perception
❖ Jaina: One who conquered his senses
❖ Kaivalya: Kevala Jnana, means
omniscience in Jainism
❖ Kevalin: Perfectly learned
❖ Mahavira: The brave
by scriptures
❖ Asrav: The flow of Karma Particle
towards Jiva
❖ Siddha loka: Final abode of the
liberated soul.
❖ Gunnasthan: Fourteen stages
of Purification
❖ Samvara: Stopping the flow of Karma
❖ Nirjara: Wearing out the
accumulated of Karma

8
❖ Mahavratas: Monks who observed the ❖ Mohaniya Karma: Delusion creating
5 principles Karma
❖ Mati jnana: Perception through ❖ Shravak pratima: Steps
activity of sense organs by whom a lay flower may achieve
❖ Nigranthas: Free from all bonds renunciation

Buddhism: Key Terms

Three Jewels Four Noble Truths Five Principles Eightfold Path

1. Buddha 1. Life is full of sorrow 1. Abstain from 1. Right

(Enlightened) (Dukha) killing. Observation
2. Cause of Sorrow is 2. Abstain from 2. Right
2. Dhamma desire (Dukha stealing Determination
Samudaya) 3. Abstain from 3. Right Speech
(Doctrine)
3. Sorrow can be sexual 4. Right Action
stopped (Dukha misconduct 5. Right Livelihood
3. Sangha
Nirodha) 4. Abstain from
(Commune) 6. Right Exercise
4. Path leading to wrong speech
7. Right memory
cessation of sorrow 5. Abstain from the
8. Right Meditation
(Ashtangika Marga) use of intoxicating
substances that
cause inattention

Bodhisattvas

Vajrapani Holds a thunderbolt (similar to Indra)

Avalokitesvara Also called as Padmapani (Lotus Bearer)

Manjushri Holds a book describing 10 spiritual perfections (Paramitas)

Maitreya Considered as the Future Buddha

Kshitigriha Guardian of Purgatories

Amitabha/ Buddha of Heaven

Amitayusha

Sects of Buddhism

Hinayana ❖ The Lesser Vehicle.

❖ Believed original teachings of Buddha.

9
 ❖ Individual salvation through self- discipline and meditation.
❖ Favoured Pali language.
❖ Also Known as Southern Buddhist Religion.
❖ Two sub-sects- Vaibhasika and Sautantrika.

Mahayana ❖ Believed in the heavenliness of Buddha.

❖ Salvation through grace and help of Buddha and Bodhisattva.
❖ Believed in idol-worship.
❖ Favoured Sanskrit language.
❖ Also known as Northern Buddhist Religion.
❖ Two sub-sects- Madhyamika or Shunyavada (founder:
Nagarjuna) and Yogachar/Vijnanavada (Founder: Maitreyanath)

Vajrayana ❖ Chief divinities: the Taras.

❖ Salvation to be attained by Magical powers.
❖ Popular in Eastern India, particularly, Bengal and Bengal.

Important Terms

❖ Sutta Pitaka (Buddha’s sayings) ❖ Chintamani: A jewel capable of doing

❖ Vinay Pitaka (Monastic code)
❖ Abhidhamma Pitaka (Religious
discourses of Buddha)
❖ Milindapanho- dialogue between
Menander (Indo-Greek ruler) and
Nagasena (Buddhist Saint).
❖ Dipavamsa/ Mahavamsa- Chronicles
of Sri Lanka
❖ Aniccha: Impermanence
❖ Shramans: The monks of Buddhism
who acted as torch bearers of the
dhamma. These were ascetics who
lived a severe and self-denying lifestyle
in order to achieve spiritual
emancipation.
❖ Mahabhinishkramana: Great
Renunciation
❖ Mahaparinirvana: Death of
enlightened one
❖ Nirvana: Confession of wrongs done
by a Buddhist monk
miracles in the form of granting wishes
❖ Shunyata: Buddhist Doctrine associated
with Madhyamik asset which means
appearance are misleading
❖ Uposatha: The ceremony of a New Moon
or full moon
❖ Tathagata: The liberated one. The one
who is free from cycle of death and birth
❖ Pattimokha: Rules to be followed by the
monks.
❖ Upasampada: The ordinary ceremony
when The Novice became a full-fledged
monk.
❖ Upasakas: Worshippers of Buddhism.
❖ Pravrajya: ceremony for person going
homeless in to search of wisdom or
knowledge
❖ Pavarana: Confession of wrong deeds
by a Buddhist monk
❖ Visuddhimagga: Treaty written by
Buddha gosha which define path of
purification

10
❖ Patichcha-samuppada: The law of ❖ Nigrantha: One who free from all the
dependent origin bonds
❖ Yogachara: Which gives Supreme ❖ Stupa: Buddha structure containing
importance to meditation and yoga relics of Buddha
❖ Manjushri: The glory of Buddha
associated with Heaven in the form of
Shakya muni

Age of Mahajanapadas (Pre-Mauryan Period): Key Terms

No. Mahajanapadas Capital

1. Kamboja Rajpur
2. Ashmakas Potana/ Potali
3. Vatsa Kaushambi
4. Avanti Ujjaini (North) / Mahishmati (South)
5. Shurasena Mathura
6. Chedi Suktimati
7. Malla Kushinara/ Pava
8. Kuru Hastinapu/Indraprastha
9. Panchala Ahichhatra (W. Panchala), Kampilya(S. Panchala)
10. Matsya Virat Nagari
11. Vajji (Vrijji) Vaishali
12. Gandhara Taxila
13. Anga Champa
14. Kashi Banaras
15. Koshala Shravasti
16 Magadha Rajagriha / Girivraja
Key Terms
❖ Nishka and Satamana: Coins used in this ❖ Aayuktas: Term for Officials
Period ❖ Gramabhojaka/ Gramini/ Gramika:
❖ Vessa: Merchants Street Village Head
❖ Balisadhakas: Tax Collecting Official ❖ Seniya: The one ‘with an army’ (used
❖ Grihapatis: Rich peasants for Bimbisar)
❖ Bhojaka: Village Head ❖ Sarvaksatrantaka: Destroyer of all
❖ Mahamatras: General Term for Officials Kshatriyas (used for
Mahapadmananda)
❖ Mantrin: Ministers
❖ Ekarat: One Suzerain
❖ Senanayaka: Commander-in-Chief
❖ Hydaspes: Jhelum

11

Mauryan Empire: Key Terms
Village Level Officers:
❖ Gramika – The head of the village.
It was an elected body.
❖ Gramvriddhas – panchayat
consist of Village elders to settle
disputes.
Administrative Terms:
❖ Prashasti: Prison Head
❖ Sannidata: Treasury Head
❖ Koshadhyaksha: Treasury Officer
❖ Koshthagaradhyaksha: Royal
Treasury Manager
❖ Nayaka: City Security Chief
❖ Vyabharika: Chief Judge
❖ Karmantika: Head of Industries &
Factories
❖ Dandapala: Head of Police
❖ Durgapala: Head of Royal Fort
❖ Annapala: Head of Food Grains
Department
❖ Rajjukas: Land Measurer
❖ Akaradhyaksha: Mining Officer
❖ Lauhadhyaksha: Metallurgy Officer
❖ Lakshanadhyaksha: Coin Minting
❖ Lavanadhyaksha: Officer of Salt
Department
❖ Swarnadhyaksha: Officer of Gold
Department
❖ Ayudhadhyaksha: Weapon
Manufacturing & Defence
❖ Kunyadhyaksha: Officer of Forest
❖ Manadhyaksha: Office of Time &
Place Determining
❖ Sunadhyaksha: Slaughter-House
Officer
❖ Hyphasis: Beas
❖ Pautavadhyaksha:In Charge of Weights
and Measures
❖ Tirthas: Highest Official
❖ Sitadhyaksha: Superviser of agriculture
❖ Panyadhyaksha:Superintendent of
Commerce
❖ Yukta: Subordinate Revenue Officer
❖ Prasdesika: Chief revenue officer.
❖ Sthanika: Head of local administration
❖ Rajuka: Revenue settlement officer
❖ Samsthadhyaksha:Superintendent of
market
❖ Pauthavadhyaksha:Superintendent of
weight & measure
❖ Navaadhyaksha:Superintendent of ships
❖ Sulkaadhyaksha:Collector of tolls
❖ Mudradhyaksha:Royal Symbol, Coin
❖ Dyutadhyaksha:Gambling Department
❖ Naukadhyaksha:Shipping Officer
❖ Pattanadhyaksha:Officer of Port
Miscellaneous Terms:
❖ ‘Vish’or ‘Ahara’ (districts) were the units of
a province.
❖ Mantri: Chief Minister
❖ Mantriparishad Adhyaksha: Head of
Council Of Minister
❖ Purohita: Chief priest
❖ Senapati: Commander-In-Chief
❖ Yuvaraj: Crown Prince
❖ Samaharta: Revenue Collector
❖ Shulkadhyaksha: Officer-In-Charge of
Royal Income
❖ Gudhapurushas: Spies
❖ Prativedakas: Informers
❖ Gramika: The elected head of the village
12
❖ Dhamma: Principles of morality
❖ Dhammamahamatra:Officer for
promotion of ‘Dhamma’
‘Varna- Shankar Vivah’: ‘Anulom’
(groom of higher varna/caste) and
‘Pratilom’ (bride of higher
varna/caste).
Post Mauryan Period: Key Terms
Administrative Terms:
❖ Ahara: A district or province in
ancient India.
❖ Amatya: A ruler or minister who
acted as an administrative head of
an ahara or province.
❖ Devaputra: A title adopted by the
Shunga rulers of ancient India which
signifies their divine origin.
❖ Devakula: A temple dedicated to the
dead monarchs of ancient India.
❖ Khatiya-dapa-mana-mada: A title
adopted by Gautamiputra Satakarni, ❖ Pamchanekame: A coin issued by five
a ruler of the Satavahana dynasty
which means "the one who destroyed ❖ Purana: A silver coin used during the
all Kshatriyas".
❖ Shrenibala: Warrior guilds in ancient ❖ Shaska: A captain of a merchant ship in
India.
❖ Uparakshitha: Individuals or groups
who built caves for monks in ancient
India.
❖ Valaikkarars: Troops who served the
king or state in ancient Tamil Nadu.
❖ Vrata kshatriya: Kshatriyas who
came from outside and assimilated
into Indian society.
❖ Yaudheya: A republic around
eastern Punjab in ancient India
❖ Gaulamika: A village administrator in
ancient India.
❖ Gramvriddhas: Panchayat consisting of
Village elders
❖ Karmakaras: Hired labourers
❖ Vishti: Forced labour
Economic Terms:
❖ Chattu: A caravan of traders who traded
goods in ancient India.
❖ Denarii: Roman coins issued in gold
form.
❖ Gandhikas: Perfume sellers in ancient
India.
❖ Karashpana: A copper coin used in
ancient India.
❖ Mahabhoja: Feudatories of the
Satavahanas who served as officials
under the Amatyas.
guilds in ancient India.
Kushana period in ancient India.
ancient India.
❖ Stridhana: Property of women in ancient
India.
❖ Suvarnadvipa: A region in Southeast
Asia which was known for its gold
production in ancient times.
Miscellaneous Terms:
❖ Gathasatsai: A grace treaty of rural love
written in Prakrit by a Satavahana ruler in
ancient India.
❖ Ratnadeepa: An island nation located in
the Indian Ocean which is identified with
modern-day Sri Lanka.
13
 History of Gupta Age: Key terms

Important Officials: Administrative Units:

❖ Kumar Amatya: He was a body of top ❖ Bhukti/Bhoga (Province): Uparika/
ranking officials attached not only to Bhogapathi
the king, but also to the crown-prince, ❖ Vishaya (District): Vishayapati /
and sometimes placed as in charge of Ayukta
districts. ❖ Gram (Village): Gramika
❖ Sandhivigrahika: Minister of peace Taxation related Terms:
and war i.e. modern foreign minister
❖ Kshetra: Fertile land
❖ Maha Pratiharya: The Chief usher of
❖ Khil: Infertile land
the Royal Palace
❖ Aprahata: Forested land
❖ Dandapashika: Chief officer of Police
❖ Vastu: Habitable land
Department
❖ Kalpita/ Upkilpta: Sales Tax and
❖ Vinaya Sthiti Sthapak: Chief Officer of
Purchase Tax
Religious affairs
❖ Halivakar/ Halidanda:Tax on Ploughing
❖ Mahapajapati: Chief of Elephant corps
❖ Bali: An additional oppressive tax on
❖ Mahashvapati: Chief of Cavalry
people
❖ Mahabaladhikrita: Commander-in-
❖ Prataya: Toll Tax
Chief
❖ Bhog: King’s share of produce
❖ Maha Dandanayaka: Chief Justice
❖ Bhoga:General Tribute (the tax in kind
❖ Mahapratisara: Maintenance of Royal
of gifts, flowers, woods, fruits etc.)
Palace
❖ Bhatta:Police Tax
❖ Bhandagaradhikreta: Head of Royal
❖ Chat: Security Tax
treasury
❖ Charasana: Grazing Tax
❖ Mahapaksha-patalik: Head of
account department ❖ Udakabhag:Water Tax

❖ Sarva Adhyaksha: Inspector for all ❖ Uparikar:Tax collected from all subjects
central department ❖ Taradaya: Tax on navigation
❖ Ranabhandagarika: Officer in charge ❖ Rajju:Tax for measurement of land
of Army Stores
❖ Uparika: He was directly appointed by
the king as a provincial governor.
❖ Samantas: Feudal chiefs
❖ Pustapala/Karanika: Record-keeper
❖ Kulika: Chief Architect
❖ Kanchuki: Head of Queen’s Haram

14
 2 Medieval History

Pala and Pratiharas Period Administration: Key Terms

❖ Bhukti: Province
❖ Mandala or Visaya: Distructs
❖ Uparika: The governor of Bhukti & had the duty to collect land revenue and
maintain law and order.
❖ Visayapati: The head of Visaya
❖ Pattala: Smaller unit below Visaya.
❖ Bhogapatis or Samantas: Small chieftain dominated villages.

The Imperial Cholas of South India: Key Terms

Administrative Terms: ❖ Sirudanam: The officers who tended to

❖ The Chola empire was divided into
➢ Mandalams (Province)
➢ Valanadu (Commissionary)
➢ Nadu (District)
➢ Kurram (a group of villages)
❖ Types of Land:
➢ Vellanvagai:Land of non-
Brahmana peasant proprietors
form a separate class in the society,
were organised in two ranks.
❖ Ur: Assembly of the village
❖ Nadu: District
❖ Kadagams: Cantonments
❖ Mahasabha: Gathering of the adult
men in the Brahmana villages which
were called agraharas.
❖ Mandalam: Province

➢ Brahmadeya: Land gifted to ❖ Manigramam: Great Nagaram

Brahmanas
➢ Shalabhoga: Land for the
maintenance of a school
➢ Devadana, Tirunamattukkani:
Land gifted to temples
➢ Pallichchhandam: Land
donated to Jaina institutions
❖ Alunganattar: Executive Committee
❖ Nadu/Kurram/Kottam: Group of
villages
❖ Nanadesis: Merchant guild having a
wide network
❖ Paracheri: The outcast's hamlet
❖ Puravuvaritinaikalam: Department of
land revenue
❖ Tankurrams: Autonomous
administration for town and townships

❖ Anjuvannam: Foreign merchant ❖ Udankuttam: Higher officers Upper

organisation Perundanam and Lower

15
Economic Terms:
❖ Agrahatta: Persian wheel
❖ Idangai (caste groupings):
Consisted mainly of artisanal and
trading groups
❖ Valangai (caste groupings):
Consisted mainly of agricultural
groups
❖ Kadamai: Land Revenue
❖ Kummanachcheri: Artisans’ quarters
❖ Salabhoga: Tenures meant for
educational purposes
❖ Vellalas: Farming groups
Miscellaneous Terms:
❖ Jivitas: Land
❖ Kaikkolaperumpadai: Royal troops
receiving regular pay from the treasury
(comprising infantry, cavalry, elephant
corps, and navy)
❖ Nattam: The residential part of the
village
❖ Nattuppadai: The militia men
employed only for local defense
❖ Shashak Gana or Ganam: The
members of the executive committee
of Ur

❖ Valanjiyar: Merchant guild ❖ Sudugadu: The burning ground

❖ Variyam: Committee of Merchants ❖ Taniyur: A very large village,

administered as a Single unit
❖ Vella: People practising agriculture
❖ Variyar: Reporters hired by the sabha
❖ Vetti: Forced labour
❖ Velaikkaran: Troops ready to protect
the lives of the royal family.

Delhi Sultanate: Key Terms

Administrative Terms: ❖ Mushrif-i-mumalik: Accountant

❖ Dar-ul-shifa: Hospitals for the Poor General
❖ Diwan-i-Amir-i-Kohi: Department ❖ Naib Wazir: Deputy Minister
for Extension of Cultivation ❖ Qazi: Legal Officer; dispensing Sharia
❖ Diwan -i-Qaza-i-Mamlik: law
Department of Justice
❖ Diwan -i-Khairat: Department of Military Terms:
Charity ❖ Chehra: Detailed description of each
❖ Diwan -i-Insha: Department of soldier
Correspondence ❖ Dagh: Branding of horses
❖ Diwan -i-Bandagan: Department for
Slaves Provincial Officers:
❖ Diwan -i-Mustakhraj: Department to ❖ Amil:Revenue Officer
realise Arrears
❖ Khwaja: Account Keeper
❖ Diwan -i-Rasalat: Department of
❖ Muqti/Wali: Provincial Governor
Religious Affairs.
(Iqtadar)
❖ Diwan-i-Arz: Department of Military
❖ Mufti: Law Expounder
❖ Diwan-i-Wazriyat: Department of
❖ Kotwal: City Administration Head
Finance

16
❖ Mustakraj: Officer to Collect Revenue ❖ Qazi-ul-Kazat:Head of Chief Judicial
❖ Grahi: House Tax Department
❖ Chari: Pasture Tax ❖ Sadr-i-jahan: Officers in charge of
❖ Kismat-i-Khuti: Headman’s Cess religious matters and endowments

❖ Inam: Free Land ❖ Sadr-us-sudur: Dealt with religious

matters and endowments
❖ Wakt: Religious Endowments
❖ Shahna-i-pil: Superintendent of Royal
❖ Mukadam/Khuts: Village headmen.
Elephants
❖ Shahna-I-Mandi & Diwan-I-
❖ Wakil-i-dar: Controller of Royal
Riyasat: Offices To regulate fixed
household
market prices.
❖ Wazir: Chief Minister; in charge of
❖ Naib-I-Riyasat: Office under Diwan-
Revenue & Finances.
I-Riyasat.
❖ Amir: Governor
❖ Barids: Intelligence officer
❖ Sahib-i-diwan: Maintained accounts
❖ Munhiyans: Secret Spies
of the provinces
❖ Amir-i-Tuzuk: Master of Ceremonies
❖ Shiqdar: Officer in charge of land
❖ Ariz-i-Mumalik: Minister of Law
measuring a shiq
❖ Amir-i-Akhur: Officer commanding
Royal Horses
Economy Terms:
❖ Amir-i-bahr: Officer in charge of
❖ Nazir/ Wakuf: Officials responsible for
police & transport naval port
collecting revenue in the provinces
❖ Amir-i-dad: Public Prosecutor
❖ Iqtadar: Holder of Land Revenue
❖ Amir-i-hazib: Officer in charge of the
Assignment
Royal court
❖ Jizya: Tax on Non-Muslims
❖ Amir-i-majlis: Officer in charge of
❖ Kharaj: Land Tax
Royal feasts & festivals
❖ Khams:1/5th of the looted property
❖ Ariz-i-Mumalik:Head of Military
during wars
Department
❖ Zakat: 2½% of the income of the
❖ Wazir: Prime Minister
Muslims which was spent for the
❖ Barid-i-Mumalik: Head of state
welfare of Muslim subjects and their
news agency
religion
❖ Dahir-i-mumalik: Head of Royal
❖ Sharb: Irrigation tax
correspondence
❖ Adha Coins: 50% Jital
❖ Majlis-i-Aam: Council of friends and
❖ Bitch Coins: 23% Jital
officers consulted on important
affairs of the state ❖ Tanka: Silver Coin
❖ Jittal: Copper Coin

Miscellaneous Terms

❖ Ghazi: A Muslim fighter against non- ❖ Khalisa: Land under the direct control
Muslims. of the Sultan

17
❖ Ulema: Scholar of Islamic Sacred Law ❖ Inam: Land for religious
❖ Jahanpanah: Protector of the World
❖ Takavi: Loans to Farmers/Cultivators
❖ Malik-us-Sharq: Lord of the East
❖ Mamluk: Owned/ Slave; A military
caste
❖ Sultan: The King
❖ Ghuri: A place in Iran
❖ Lakh Baksh: Giver of Lakhs as
Donations
❖ Quwwat-ul-Islam: Might of Islam
Mosque
❖ Arhai Din Ka Jhonpara: Mosque
Constructed in 60 Hours
❖ Muqaddam/Chaudhri: Village
headman
❖ Shiqs and Pargana: Units of
Provinces
❖ Zawabit – Sultan’s own regulations
to supplement Muslim law.
❖ Jahandari– Secular consideration
❖ Gaz-i-Sikandari: A type of
measurement of the yard
Mughal Rule: Key Terms
❖ Daroga-i-dak-Chauki: Officer in
Charge of Imperial Post
❖ Diwan:Responsible for all income
and expenditure; control over Khalisa
& Jagir
❖ Diwan-i-Bayutat: Maintained Roads,
Government buildings
❖ Mir Bakshi: Headed Military
Department, nobility, information and ❖ Diwan-i-Wazarat: Department of
intelligence agencies
❖ Mir Manshi: Royal Correspondence
❖ Mir Saman: In charge of Imperial
Households (Karkhanas)
❖ Mir-i-Arz: Officer in Charge of
Petition
leaders/institutions.
❖ Iqtadar: Provincial Governor
❖ Turkan-i-chahalgani: Class forty
powerful military leaders
❖ Purdah: Practice of secluding women
❖ Zil-i-Ilahi: God’s Shadow on Earth
❖ Nibyabat-i-Khudai:Recipient of Divine
Grace
❖ Nasir-Amir-ul-Momin: Caliph’s right-
hand man
❖ Nawrouz: Persian festival.
❖ Diwan-i-wizarat: Finance Department
❖ Diwan-i-Arz: Military Department.
❖ Sijada: Prostration
❖ Paibos: Kissing the Sultan’s Feet
❖ Zimmi – Protected people under
Muslim Rule.
❖ Arabesque:Geometric & floral designs
with inscriptions
❖ Diwan-i-Barid:Intelligence Department
❖ Diwan-i-Insha: Custodian of Govt.
Papers
❖ Diwan-i-Quza: Justice Department
❖ Diwan-i-Rasalatmuhtasib: Foreign
Affairs Department
❖ Diwan-i-Saman: Department in
charge of royal household
Revenue & Finances
❖ Bakshi: In charge of Military
Department
❖ Sadr: In charge of Judicial Department
18
❖ Muhtasib: Censor of Public Morals
❖ Mushrif-i-Mumalik: Accountant
General
❖ Mustauf-i-Mumalik: Auditor General
❖ Qazi-ul-Quzat: Head of Judicial
Department
❖ Sadr-us-Sadr: In charge of
charitable & religious endowments
❖ Wazir: Head of Revenue Department
❖ Diwan-i-Arz: Military Department
❖ Sarai: Lodging Facility
❖ Shahana: Custodian
❖ Dam: Silver Coins
The Marathas: Key Terms
Administrative Terms:
❖ Prants: Province
❖ Peshwa: Mukhya Pradhan
❖ Majumdar: Amatya
❖ Dabir: Sumant
❖ Waqenavis: Mantri
❖ Pandit Rao: Sadar
❖ Surnavis: Sachiv
❖ Sar-i Naubat: Senapati
❖ Patel: Village Headman
❖ Silhadars: Soldiers
❖ Hazar Majils: Court of the King
❖ Fadnis: Deputy Auditor
❖ Chitnis: Correspondence Clerk
❖ Bargis: Horsemen which were paid
from the State Exchange
❖ Sipahsalar:The Head Executive of
District administration
❖ Amal/Amalguzar: Revenue Collection
❖ Amin/Quanungo: Revenue Officials
❖ Fauzdar: Administrative Head of
villages
❖ Kotwal: Maintenance of Law & Order
❖ Muqaddam: Headman
❖ Patwari: Accountant
❖ Shiqdar: Administrative Head of district
❖ Munsif: Jjudge
❖ Fotedar: Treasurer
❖ Karkuns: Accountant
❖ Patta: Amount each peasant had to
pay
❖ Qabuliyat: Deed of Agreement
Economic Terms:
❖ Chauth: One-fourth or 25% of the land
revenue to be paid to Marathas to
avoid Maratha raids.
❖ Sardeshmukhi: An additional levy of
10% over lands of Maharashtra which
formed part of the Mughal Empire but
over which Marathas claimed
hereditary rights.
❖ Kathi: Unit of Measurement
❖ Karkhani: Commissary
19
 Vijayanagara Empire: Key Terms
Administrative Terms:
❖ Units of Administration:
➢ Gram: Village headed by
Gauda
➢ Nadu: District headed by
Naduprabhu
➢ Mandalam: Province headed
by Mandaleswar
❖ Mahanayakacharya: An officer
and the contact point between
the villages and the Central
administration.
❖ Nayankara System: System of
provincial administration.
❖ Ayngar System: System of
village administration.
❖ Naik: Governor who administered
each Province.
❖ Rajulu or rachavaru:Generally
associated with the ruling
dynasty, assisting them in
matters of state and warfare.
❖ Sthalas:Sub-districts
Bhakti and Sufi Movements: Key Terms
❖ Bhakti Movement: Hinduism reform
movement during medieval period.
❖ Sufi Movement: Mystical movement
of Islam.
❖ Nayanars: Devotees of Shiva
❖ Alvars: Devotees of Vishnu.
❖ Tirumarai: Compilation of hymns of
Nayanars by the highest priest of
Raja RajaCholaI, Nambiyandar
Nambi
Economic Terms:
❖ Coins:
➢ Varahas/ Pagodas: Gold Coins
➢ Tar: Silver coins
➢ Jital: Copper coins
❖ Matikaratalu or Vaishyas: Merchants who
carried on trade and commerce
❖ Sist: Land tax
❖ Viprulu: Brahmins
❖ Nalavajativaru: Shudra
❖ Kaikollas: Weavers
❖ Besabaga: Forced Labour
❖ Rajulu:Kshatriya
❖ Vipravinodins:Artisans
❖ Sahagamana: Sati
❖ Ashtadiggajas: The eight celebrated poets
of Telugu (Peddana (Manucharitam),
Timmaya (Parijata Apaharanama),
Bhattamurthi, Dhurjati, Mallan, Raju
Ramchandra, Surona, Tenali
Ramakrishna (Panduranga Mahamatya))
❖ Vishishtadvaita Vedanta or
qualified monism: There exists a
plurality and distinction between
Ātman (soul) & Brahman
(metaphysical, ultimate reality)
❖ Bheda-bheda: The God, the soul and
the world were identical yet distinct
20
❖ Divya Prabandha: Compilation of
the hymns of the Alvars saints –
poets.
❖ Nirgun Bhakti: Believe invisible
formless god, without attributes
❖ Sagun: Believe in god, with form and
attributes
❖ Advaita Vedant (Non-Dualism):
God & created world is one and The
individual soul is not different from
Brahman
❖❖❖
❖ Dvaita or dualism: Where the divinity
was separate from the human
conscience/soul.
❖ Fana: Spiritual merger of devotee
with Allah
❖ Insan-e-kamil: Perfect human with
all good virtues,
❖ Zikr-tauba: Remembrance of god all
the time(zikr),
❖ Wahdatul-wajood: one god for the
entire universe; unity of god and
being.
❖ Sama: spiritual dance and music to
promote their concepts, though
music is un-Islamic.
21
 3 Modern History
Modern History: Key Terms
❖ The Queen’s Army: Serving troops on ❖ Policy of Ring Fence: Defending one’s
duty in India.
❖ Company’s Troops: It was a mix of
Indians and Europeans, but officers
were Britishers.
❖ Kaiser-i-Hind: Queen Empress of
India
❖ Cape of Good Hope: A headland on
the southwestern coast of South
Africa, an important navigational
landmark historically.
❖ Trade Monopoly: Exclusive control
over the business of a particular
product or service, such as the East
India Company's monopoly on the
spice trade during the colonial era.
❖ The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle:
Ended the War of the Austrian
Succession, established common
European peace in 1748.
❖ The Seven Years' War: A global
conflict from 1756 to 1763, included
major European powers, their
colonial empires and local allies,
ended by the Treaty of Paris of 1763.
❖ Fortification: The process of
constructing structures to fortify a
military or defensive position.
❖ The Columbian Exchange: It refers to
the exchange of diseases, ideas, food
crops, and populations between the
New World and the Old World.
own territory by creating buffer zones
outside other surrounding territory.
❖ Policy of Masterly Inactivity: Peace was
maintained at the frontier intentionally.
❖ Policy of Proud Reserve: For maintaining
scientific frontiers and safeguarding
spheres of influence.
❖ Doctrine of Lapse: As per this doctrine,
any adopted son of the Indian ruler
could not be proclaimed as heir to the
kingdom.
❖ Dastak: A royal decree issued by the
Mughal emperors in India, used to issue
orders to officials and military
commanders.
❖ Diwani jurisdiction: Fiscal (carried out by
the company so the Company was
Diwan)
❖ Nizamat jurisdiction: Territorial (carried
out by these decrepit Indians so they
were Nizam).
❖ Subedar: Governor of a province or sub-
province in the Mughal Empire.
❖ Subsidiary Alliance: A political and
military alliance formed between the
East India Company and Indian princely
states.
❖ Doctrine of Lapse: British East India
Company annexed a state if it didn't
recognize the succession of a female
ruler or an adopted son.
22
❖ Divide and Rule: Intentional creation
of rift between communities, rulers,
groups on religious, regional, caste,
race and other lines for European
advantage
❖ Policy of Subsidiary Alliance: Under
the policy, princely rulers were
forbidden from making any
negotiations and treaty with any
other Indian ruler without first
confirming the same with Company
officials. They were also forbidden
from maintaining any standing
armies.
❖ Policy of Subordinate Union:
Subordinating Indian Rulers
completely to British authority
❖ Tinkathia System: Farmers in
Champaran were mandated to
cultivate indigo on a part of their
land.
❖ Colonialism: Taking over another
country for commercial purposes.
❖ Imperialism: Taking over a country
for political and administrative
purposes.
❖ Ryot: Ryot is the way the term raiyat,
used to designate peasants, was
spelt in British records. Ryots in
Bengal did not always cultivate the
land directly but leased it out to
under-ryots.
❖ Amlah: Rent collecting officers of
Zamindar.
❖ Jotedar: Wealthy peasants who
comprised one layer of social strata
in agrarian Bengal during Company
rule in India. They were also known as
Haoladars, Gantidars or mandals.
❖ Adhiyars/bargadars: Sharecroppers
❖ Benami: Literally anonymous, is a
term used in Hindi and several other
Indian languages for transactions
❖ Mercantile Phase: The British East India
Company dominated Indian economy
and politics from 1757-1813.
❖ Permanent Settlement: A land revenue
system introduced by Lord Cornwallis in
1793, land was given to wealthy
individuals responsible for collecting
revenue from farmers.
❖ Ryotwari Settlement: A land revenue
system where the state dealt directly
with individual cultivators or farmers.
❖ Mahalwari System: Land revenue was
collected from groups of villages.
❖ Taluqdar: Literally means one who holds
a taluq or a connection. Taluq came to
refer to a territorial unit.
❖ Dadni Practice: British traders wrote
agreements by giving small amounts to
Indian producers, artisans, and
craftsmen.
❖ Lean Elephant System: Prevalent in
Surat, land slaves considered their
owners as protectors of their property
and themselves.
❖ Commercialization of Agriculture:
Cultivation of market-based crops
instead of food crops.
❖ Drainage of Wealth: Economic
exploitation of India by the British
colonial government during the colonial
period.
❖ Lex Loci Act, 1850: Established the right in
ancestral property for those who
adopted Christianity.
❖ Wood's Dispatch: Detailed plan for
India's future education policy stressing
the importance of education for creating
a class of Indians who would be able to
participate in the administration of the
country.
23
 made in the name of a fictitious or
relatively insignificant person,
whereas the real beneficiary remains
unnamed.
❖ Zamindar: Landowners who lease
their land to farmers and tenants.
❖ Lathyal: Literally one who wields the
lathi or stick, functioned as a
strongman of the zamindar.
❖ Mirasdar: In Urdu it means hereditary
landowner, co-proprietor and in
Persian, miras is inheritance, estate. ❖ Vernacular Press Act: Law passed by the
Under the Ryotwari settlement
system in Southern India, the East
India Company recognized
mirasdars as the only proprietors of
land, dismissing tenants’ rights
completely. They acted as a
designated revenue payer of the
state.
❖ Ulgulan: The Great Tumult or Ulgulan
was a movement started by Birsa
Munda against the exploitation and
discrimination against tribals by the
local authorities.
❖❖❖
❖ Anglicists: Exclusively suggested for
spending on modern studies with English
as the medium of instruction.
❖ Orientalists: Western sciences and
literature should be taught to prepare
students to take up jobs, emphasis
should be placed on expansion of
traditional Indian learning.
❖ Nai Talim: Education scheme of Gandhiji
focused on providing self-reliance to the
students.
British colonial government in India in
1878 aimed at regulating the Indian-
language press. It was also called as
Gagging Act Aurang: Persian term refers
to a warehouse where goods are
collected before being sold.
❖ Bania/Vania: The word Bania (also
Vania) is derived from the Sanskrit vanij,
meaning ‘a merchant’. During British rule,
Banians acted as intermediaries for
European merchants in Bengal.
24
25
26
27
28