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Q55·GS Paper 1 · Prelims 2015

Feudal System Elements in Medieval India

HistoryMedieval India - Social and Political StructureStatement-basedMediumStatic

Question

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

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

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. 1.

    A very strong centralized political authority and a very weak provincial or local political authority

  2. 2.

    Emergence of administrative structure based on control and possession of land

  3. 3.

    Creation of lord-vassal relationship between the feudal lord and his overlord

Options

a

1 and 2 only

b

2 and 3 only

Answer
c

3 only

d

1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect—feudalism is characterized by weak centralized authority and strong local/provincial powers, the opposite of what is stated. Statement 2 is correct—feudalism's administrative structure was fundamentally based on the control and possession of land, with grants of land in exchange for military and political service. Statement 3 is correct—the lord-vassal relationship, where a vassal pledged loyalty to a feudal lord in exchange for protection and land, is a defining characteristic of feudalism. Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are the essential elements. > Feudalism's core: land-based administration and hierarchical lord-vassal bonds, not centralized authority. Answer: b.

Question details

Year

2015

Paper

GS Paper 1

Question

Q55

Subject

History

Sub-topic

Medieval India - Social and Political Structure

Type

Statement-based

Difficulty

Medium

Nature

Static

Source hint

NCERT Medieval India - Administrative System

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