Natural Resources, Medieval India, and the Electoral System

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering natural resources, medieval Indian history, and the Indian electoral system.

Natural Resources

Everything found on the Earth not created by humans, such as land, air, and water, that is used to meet human needs.

Utility

The capacity of a natural element to satisfy human needs, making it a resource.

Accessibility

The condition that people must have the tools and technology to extract and use an element of nature for it to become a resource.

Economic Value

The amount of money or material benefit a resource can generate, such as natural gas powering factories.

Renewable Resources

Resources that can renew or replenish themselves naturally within a relatively brief period of time, such as sunlight, wind, and water.

Non-renewable Resources

Resources that take millions of years to form and exist in finite quantities, such as fossil fuels like coal and petroleum.

Natural Resource Curse

Also known as the 'paradox of plenty'; a phenomenon where countries with abundant natural resources experience slower economic growth or higher risk of conflict.

Sustainability

The responsible use of resources to meet today's needs without diminishing the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

Recycling

The recovery and reprocessing of waste materials for use in new products to reduce pressure on natural resources.

Zabo Farming

A traditional farming technique in Nagaland meaning 'impounding of water' that combines forest conservation, rainwater harvesting, and agriculture.

Medieval Period in India

The historical period extending from the $7^{th}$ to the $17^{th}$ centuries $CE$, following the death of Harshavardhana.

Delhi Sultanate

A kingdom established in Delhi in 1206\nCE by Qutbuddin Aibak, lasting over three centuries under five successing dynasties.

Iqta

An administrative unit or province in the Delhi Sultanate governed by an iqtadar who collected revenue and maintained order.

Wazir

The chief minister and highest official after the Sultan in the Delhi Sultanate administration.

Token Currency

A type of currency introduced by Muhammad bin Tughlaq whose value was determined by government authority rather than its metal content.

Kalinga Architecture

A distinctive temple style used by the Eastern Ganga dynasty featuring sections like the vimana, jagamohana, and natamandira.

Nayaka System

A decentralized administrative system in the Vijayanagara Empire where military chiefs (nayakas) governed districts (nadus) in exchange for tribute.

Ashtadiggajas

The eight celebrated poets and scholars appointed in the court of the Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya.

Bhakti Movement

A religious movement emphasizing personal devotion to God and equality, featuring saints like Mirabai, Kabir, and Tulsidas.

Sufi

A follower of spiritual practices within Islam focused on meditation, compassion, and closeness to God.

Universal Adult Franchise

The principle that every adult citizen who has attained the age of $18$ years has the right to vote regardless of caste, religion, gender, or status.

Constituency

A geographic area designed with similar population counts whose residents vote to elect a specific representative.

First-Past-The-Post (FPTP)

An election system where the candidate receiving the highest number of votes in a constituency wins, even without a majority.

Election Commission of India (ECI)

An independent constitutional body established under Article $324$ to conduct free and fair elections in India.

Single Transferable Vote (STV)

A voting method used in indirect elections, such as for the Rajya Sabha, where voters rank candidates by preference.

Model Code of Conduct (MCC)

A set of rules enforced by the Election Commission that political parties and candidates must follow during the election period.

VVPAT

Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail; a system that allows a voter to verify their choice on a printed slip after using an EVM.

None of the Above (NOTA)

An option on the Electronic Voting Machine for voters who do not wish to vote for any of the listed candidates.