State and Society up to 1000 CE: Administration, Ethics, and Social Structures

Flashcards testing knowledge on early Indian administrative units, dynasties, ethical concepts, and social structures based on the provided text.

In the Satavahana empire, what were the administrative divisions called, and who led the villages beneath them?

The administrative divisions were called aharas (each with its amatyas), and each village was led by a village headman known as grāmika.

What were provinces called in northern versus southern India during the period of decentralisation between approximately $300\text{ CE}$ and $800\text{ CE}$?

Provinces were known as bhuktis in the north and mandalas or mandalams in the south.

What were the administrative divisions, districts, and village groups called in northern versus southern India between $300\text{ CE}$ and $800\text{ CE}$?

Divisions were vishaya or bhoga in the north and koṭṭams or valanādu in the south; districts were adhishṭhāna or pattana in the north and nadu in the south; village groups (tahsils) were vithis in the north and pattala or kurram in the south.

What new ministerial office was introduced during the Gupta period to oversee external relations and conflicts?

A new 'minister of peace and war' (sāndhivigrahika) was introduced.

According to the Damodarpur copper plates from the period of Kumaragupta I, which five members constituted the district office?

The head district officer, the chief banker, the chief caravan trader, the chief artisan, and the chief of revenue collection.

What were the tax-free land-grants given to villages by the Pallavas (c. $275\text{--}897\text{ CE}$) known as?

They were known as Brahmadeya villages.

What were variyams in the context of village assemblies during the Pallava period?

Variyams were small committees within village assemblies that managed specific tasks like irrigation, gardens, and temple management.

What were the land grants given to Brahmin settlements by the Chalukyas (c. $543\text{--}753\text{ CE}$) of Badami called?

They were called agraharams, some of which developed into prominent centres of learning such as those at Aihole and Badami.

Which city served as the capital and coveted site of the 'tri-partite struggle' among the Gurjara-Pratihāras, Pālas, and Rāṣhṭrakutas?

Kannauj (in modern-day Uttar Pradesh).

What was the administrative hierarchy of the Imperial Chola empire ($9\text{th--}11\text{th century CE}$) from largest unit to smallest unit?

The hierarchy was mandalams (provinces), subdivided into valanāḍus (districts), nāḍus (groups of villages), and Urs (individual villages).

How is the ethical principle of samatva defined in early Indian thought?

Samatva is the principle of sameness, stating that all bodies are made of the same matter and all forms of consciousness are manifestations of one supreme consciousness.

How is the concept of rita described in the Rig Veda?

Rita is described as an all-pervading cosmic order that represents harmony and balance in nature and in human society.

From which Sanskrit root is 'dharma' derived, and how did Bhishma define it in the Mahābhārata?

It is derived from the Sanskrit root dhri (root of dharati). Bhishma defined dharma as "that which upholds beings; whatever upholds all beings is dharma."

What candidate qualifications for village assembly elections were specified in the $10\text{th century CE}$ Uttaramerur inscription?

Candidates were required to have "honest earnings" and be "pure" of mind.

Which two literary works are highlighted for containing reflections and advice on kingship and governance?

Kāmandaka's Nītisāra and Banabhața's Kadambarī.

Which three different occupations within a single family are mentioned in Rig Veda 9.112.3 to illustrate occupational flexibility?

A poet (the seer), a physician (the father), and a grinder of corn (the mother).

In which text and book does the earliest reference to the four social categories (varṇa) appear?

In the Purushasūkta, a hymn in Book $10$ of the Rig Veda.

How does the Buddhist text Sutta Nipāta define a brahmaņa and an outcaste?

It states: "No brahmaņa is such by birth. No outcaste is such by birth but only by his deeds. A brāhmaṇa is such by his deeds."

In early Vedic society, what were the terms for a group of grāmas, the larger unit above it, and a household bound by kinship?

A group of grāmas formed a visha (headed by a vishapati); above the visha was the jana (headed by the rājā); and a household bound by kinship was called a kula.

What are the shoḍaśha saṁskāras?

They are the 'sixteen rites of passage' marking significant moments throughout an individual's life from birth to death rites.