UPSC Prelims 2016 Q80: Medieval History – South Indian Dynasties
In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs: Term - Description
1. Eripatti : Land, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank
2. Taniyurs : Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins
3. Ghatikas : Colleges generally attached to the temples
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 3 only
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) 1 and 3
Answer: (d) 1 and 3
Explanation
Terms from early medieval South India
| Pair | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Eripatti : Land, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank | Correct | Eri means tank; patti means land |
| 2. Taniyurs : Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins | Incorrect | Taniyurs were large villages treated as separate administrative units under the Cholas; land given to Brahmins was Brahmadeya |
| 3. Ghatikas : Colleges generally attached to the temples | Correct | The Ghatika of Kanchi was famous in Pallava times |
Related terms:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Brahmadeya | Land gifted to Brahmins |
| Devadana | Land gifted to temples |
| Agrahara | Brahmin settlement |
| Ur | Assembly of an ordinary village |
Answer: (d) 1 and 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Pair 2 is wrong; land donated to Brahmins was Brahmadeya, not Taniyur.
- (b) Incorrect. Pair 1 is also right: Eripatti was tank land.
- (c) Incorrect. Pair 2 on Taniyurs is wrong.
- (d) CORRECT. Eripatti (tank land) and Ghatikas (temple colleges) are correctly matched.
Key point
Eripatti = tank land; Ghatika = college attached to a temple; Taniyur = large village as a separate unit; Brahmadeya = land gifted to Brahmins.
Remember
Eripatti = tank land; Ghatika = temple college.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Taniyur with Brahmadeya.
- Not breaking up Eri-patti into 'tank' and 'land'.
- Thinking Ghatikas were markets or water bodies.
Exam tip
Tamil terms often explain themselves: eri = tank, ur = village, tani = separate.
Sources
- Upinder Singh — A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India (Early medieval South India)
- NCERT Class VII — Our Pasts II (New Kings and Kingdoms)