The correct option is (a) 1 only
Explanation
The Ahom state (1228–1826 CE) in present-day Assam was a centralized state that relied heavily on a system of forced labour known as the
Paik system. The administration was organized to ensure the availability of labour for the state, military service, and public works.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: To manage the Paik system effectively, the Ahom administration conducted a detailed census of the population. This census determined the number of able-bodied men available for service. Based on these records, each village was required to send a specific number of paiks by rotation to serve the state.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The population did not remain static in ancestral lands. A key strategy of the Ahom administration was to shift people from heavily populated areas to less populated places. This forced migration served two purposes: it balanced the population distribution for economic development (agriculture) and broke up the power of the old Ahom clans, thereby centralizing the king's authority.
Key Takeaway
The Ahom state was based on the
Paik system (forced labour), which necessitated a regular
census and involved the strategic
relocation of population to break clan cohesion and ensure uniform development.