Q. With reference to the economy and technology of the Delhi Sultanate, consider the following pairs:
TermContext / Meaning
1.KharajLand tax on non-Muslims, generally 1/5th to 1/2 of the produce.
2.RehantA new technological device used primarily for spinning cotton fibers.
3.TankaStandard copper coin issued by Iltutmish, replaced by the billon coin under later Sultans.
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Answer: A
Notes:
Explanation:
- Pair 1: Correct. Kharaj was the primary land tax (tribute) levied on non-Muslims, which varied between 1/5th to 1/2 of the produce (Alauddin Khalji fixed it at 1/2 or 50%).
- Pair 2: Incorrect. Rehant (Persian wheel/Saqiya) was a new technological advancement, but it was used for lifting water (irrigation), not for spinning cotton. The spinning wheel (Charkha) was introduced for cotton.
- Pair 3: Incorrect. The Tanka was the standard silver coin introduced by Iltutmish, while the copper coin was the Jital. Gold coins were known as the Tola or Dinar.
