Consider the following statements regarding caste mobility in the agrarian society of the 17th century: 1. The Gauravas of Uttar Pradesh sought Rajput status. 2. Ahirs and Gujars were barred from owning land due to their caste. 3. Sadgops and Kaivartas in eastern regions were relegated to the status of untouchables. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is 1 only Explanation The agrarian society of 17th-century India was not strictly static; it exhibited significant social fluidity and mobility. Economic growth, the expansion of cultivation, and the profitability of commercial crops allowed several intermediate pastoral and cultivating castes to acquire land, wealth, and higher social status, often claiming Kshatriya or Rajput lineage. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: The Gauravas were a cultivating community in Uttar Pradesh. During the 17th century, leveraging their economic strength and land ownership, they actively sought and claimed Rajput status. This was part of a broader trend where successful agrarian communities attempted to elevate their ritual status to match their economic power. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: Ahirs, Gujars, and Malis were traditionally pastoral or horticultural communities. Far from being barred from land ownership, these groups were actually ascending the social hierarchy in North India during this period. The profitability of cattle rearing and horticulture allowed them to acquire land and integrate into the respectable peasantry. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: In the eastern regions (such as Bengal), intermediate pastoral and fishing castes like the Sadgops and Kaivartas were not relegated to untouchability. Instead, they acquired the status of peasants and, in some cases, landholders. This period marked their upward mobility rather than social degradation. Key Takeaway Caste Mobility in Medieval India: The 17th-century agrarian hierarchy was flexible; economic prosperity enabled intermediate castes (like Jats, Ahirs, and Sadgops) to transition from pastoralism to settled agriculture and claim higher social status (Rajputization).

Consider the following statements regarding caste mobility… - NCERT Class 12 History MCQ

NCERT Class 12 History — Chapter 4: Peasants, Zamindars and the State - Agrarian Society and the Mughal Empire (c. 16th - 17th centuries)

mcqhard

Consider the following statements regarding caste mobility in the agrarian society of the 17th century:

The Gauravas of Uttar Pradesh sought Rajput status.
Ahirs and Gujars were barred from owning land due to their caste.
Sadgops and Kaivartas in eastern regions were relegated to the status of untouchables.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

NCERT textbook question

From NCERT Themes in Indian History - 2 · Page 202

Options

A1 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is
1 only

Explanation

The agrarian society of 17th-century India was not strictly static; it exhibited significant social fluidity and mobility. Economic growth, the expansion of cultivation, and the profitability of commercial crops allowed several intermediate pastoral and cultivating castes to acquire land, wealth, and higher social status, often claiming Kshatriya or Rajput lineage.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: The Gauravas were a cultivating community in Uttar Pradesh. During the 17th century, leveraging their economic strength and land ownership, they actively sought and claimed Rajput status. This was part of a broader trend where successful agrarian communities attempted to elevate their ritual status to match their economic power.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: Ahirs, Gujars, and Malis were traditionally pastoral or horticultural communities. Far from being barred from land ownership, these groups were actually ascending the social hierarchy in North India during this period. The profitability of cattle rearing and horticulture allowed them to acquire land and integrate into the respectable peasantry.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: In the eastern regions (such as Bengal), intermediate pastoral and fishing castes like the Sadgops and Kaivartas were not relegated to untouchability. Instead, they acquired the status of peasants and, in some cases, landholders. This period marked their upward mobility rather than social degradation.

Key Takeaway

Caste Mobility in Medieval India: The 17th-century agrarian hierarchy was flexible; economic prosperity enabled intermediate castes (like Jats, Ahirs, and Sadgops) to transition from pastoralism to settled agriculture and claim higher social status (Rajputization).

Your note

More from Chapter 4: Peasants, Zamindars and the State - Agrarian Society and the Mughal Empire (c. 16th - 17th centuries)

With reference to the crops cultivated in the Mughal Empire, consider the following statements: 1. The term jins-i kamil referred to perfect crops or cash crops like cotton and sugarcane. 2. Maize was introduced into India via Africa and Spain during the seventeenth century. 3. Tobacco was unknown in northern India before the reign of Aurangzeb. 4. The Mughal state discouraged the cultivation of cash crops to ensure food security. Which of the statements given above are correct?

medium

In the context of Mughal relations with forest-dwelling communities, the term peshkash referred to which of the following?

easy

In the Mughal village administration, the functionary who assisted the muqaddam by maintaining the village accounts was called the:

easy

easy

With reference to the classification of peasants in the Mughal agrarian society, consider the following statements: 1. Khud-kashta were residents of the village in which they held their lands. 2. Pahi-kashta were the hereditary owners of the village lands. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

easy

Keep practising Chapter 4: Peasants, Zamindars and the State - Agrarian Society and the Mughal Empire (c. 16th - 17th centuries)

Work through every question from this NCERT chapter.

Browse all NCERT Class 12 History chapters