Apply Now Student Hub Feedback
Ancient History question from JKAS Prelims, 2024 by JKPSC

Consider the following with reference to the Iqta System:

i. Iqta was a territorial assignment given to officers/nobles in lieu of service.
ii. The holder of Iqta was called Muqti.
iii. Originally, Iqta was hereditary and the Muqti was entitled to ownership rights.

Which is/are correct?

Last updated May 13, 2026
Correct Answer: Option B — i and ii only
Statement, Status, Explanation
i. Territorial Assignment, Correct, "The Iqta was a grant of the right to collect revenue from a specific piece of land, given to state officials (Amirs) instead of a cash salary."
ii. The Muqti,Correct,"The holder of an Iqta was known as a Muqti or Wali. Their job was to collect revenue, maintain law and order, and provide troops to the Sultan when needed."
iii. Hereditary/Ownership,Incorrect,"Originally, Iqta was neither hereditary nor an ownership right. It was a transferable administrative charge. A Muqti did not ""own"" the land; they only had the right to its revenue."

Why Statement iii is Wrong
Under the early Delhi Sultans (like Iltutmish and Balban), Iqtas were strictly monitored and frequently transferred to prevent officers from becoming too powerful or localizing their influence.

It was only much later, during the reign of Firoz Shah Tughlaq, that the system was weakened and made hereditary. However, even then, it never technically conferred "ownership" in the modern sense; it remained a revenue assignment.

Summary of the Iqta System
The system was formalized in India by Shamsuddin Iltutmish to consolidate the Delhi Sultanate. It served two main purposes:

Revenue Collection: It allowed the state to collect taxes from distant provinces without a massive centralized bureaucracy.

Military Organization: It ensured that the Sultan had a ready supply of maintained troops provided by the Muqtis.
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.

About this question

JKPSC JKAS 2024 Prelims

Details

Exam JKPSC
Recruitment JKAS
Stage Prelims
Year 2024
Subject Ancient History
View all questions from this paper

More Ancient History questions

From across UPSC, JKPSC, and JKSSB papers — same subject, different years.

Practice 1,142+ more PYQs interactively

Filter by subject, year, and exam in real time. Get instant feedback, detailed explanations, and track your progress.

Open practice portal