With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequences in ascending order in terms of size? [Medieval India]

(a) Pargana–Sarkar–Suba

(b) Sarkar–Pargana–Suba

(d) Paragana–Suba–Sarkar

Answer: a

Explanation:

ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE UNDER THE MUGHALS

The Mughals retained many features of the administrative systems of the Sultanate and Shershah.

Sher Shah Sur was the founder of the local system of government, including the districts (sarkars) and tehsils (parganas).

For administrative convenience, the Mughal empire was divided into provinces called subahs.

Under Akbar there were fifteen provinces, seventeen provinces under Jahangir, twenty-two under Shah Jahan and twenty-one under Aurangzeb.

Each province was headed by a governor called the Nazim, subedar or sipahsalar.

A Mughal subah or province was divided into a number of Sarkars or Districts. A district was governed by Faujdar.

Each sarkar or district consisted of a few Parganas or Tehsils, administered by Shikdar and assisted by Amil, Fotdar and Qanungo.

Hence, option a is correct.

Read: Previous Year UPSC History Questions (PYQs) With Explanation 2021