Correct Answer:
Option A —
Land classification
Key Terms in Gupta Land Administration
The Gupta administration used several terms to distinguish different types of land:
Maru: This refers to desert or sandy land (arid soil).
Pankila: This refers to muddy or marshy land.
Other Common Classifications
To provide a complete picture of land categories mentioned in Gupta inscriptions and texts (like the Amarakosha), here are the most frequent terms:
Kshetra: Cultivable land (the most common type).
Khila: Wasteland or fallow land (land not under cultivation).
Aprahata: Jungle or forest land.
Vasti: Habitable land (land for building houses).
Gapata Saraha: Pasture land (for cattle and livestock).
Why the other options are incorrect:
B) Land measurement units: Units during this period included terms like Adhavapa, Dronavapa, and Kulyavapa.
C) Taxes: Taxes were known as Bhaga (king’s share), Bhoga (periodic supplies), and Kara (general property tax).
D) Land tenure: Systems involved terms like Nivi-dharma (perpetual endowment) and Akshaya-nivi.
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
