UPSC Prelims 2021 Q45: Medieval History – Mughal Empire
- (a) Pargana - Sarkar - Suba
- (b) Sarkar - Pargana - Suba
- (c) Suba - Sarkar - Pargana
- (d) Pargana - Suba - Sarkar
Answer: (a) Pargana - Sarkar - Suba
Explanation
Medieval India Administrative Hierarchy (Mughal Era)
| Unit | Level | Head |
|---|---|---|
| Pargana | Smallest (group of villages) | Amil (revenue), Qazi (justice), Fotdar (treasurer) |
| Sarkar | Middle (group of parganas, like a district) | Faujdar (military), Amalguzar (revenue) |
| Suba | Largest (province) | Subedar / Nazim (governor) |
Ascending order (smallest to largest): Pargana - Sarkar - Suba. Answer: (a).
Akbar reorganised the empire into 15 Subas in 1580. Each Suba was divided into Sarkars, and each Sarkar into Parganas. Below Pargana were villages (mauzas). This four-tier structure was inherited from Sher Shah Suri and refined by Akbar.
Answer: (a) Pargana - Sarkar - Suba.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Ascending order by size: Pargana (smallest, group of villages) - Sarkar (group of parganas, like a district) - Suba (largest, province). Akbar had 15 Subas in his empire.
- (b) Incorrect. Sarkar is between Pargana and Suba, not smaller than Pargana.
- (c) Incorrect. This is descending order, not ascending.
- (d) Incorrect. Suba is larger than Sarkar.
Key point
Mughal admin hierarchy (ascending): Pargana (villages) - Sarkar (district) - Suba (province). Head of Suba = Subedar/Nazim. Head of Sarkar = Faujdar. Head of Pargana = Amil. Akbar organised empire into 15 Subas (1580).
Remember
In medieval Mughal India, the ascending order of administrative units by size is: Pargana (smallest, group of villages) - Sarkar (middle, group of parganas / district) - Suba (largest, province). Akbar organised the empire into 15 Subas in 1580. Correct answer: (a).
Common mistakes
- Confusing Sarkar with Suba. Sarkar is a district-level unit; Suba is a province.
- Not knowing Sher Shah Suri introduced this structure and Akbar refined/formalised it.
- Missing the officer designations: Subedar/Nazim (Suba), Faujdar (Sarkar), Amil/Qazi (Pargana).
Exam tip
Mughal admin hierarchy: Suba (province) - Sarkar (district) - Pargana (group of villages) - Mauza/Village. Officers: Subedar/Nazim (Suba), Faujdar/Amalguzar (Sarkar), Amil/Qazi (Pargana). Learn Ain-i-Akbari classification of 15 subas.
Sources
- Abul Fazl - Ain-i-Akbari (Institutional Framework of Mughal Empire)
- Satish Chandra - Medieval India (Vol II): Mughal Empire Administration