Consider the following statements regarding the Ahom military and labour system: 1. Almost all adult males served in the army during war. 2. At other times, they were free to migrate to other kingdoms. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is (a). Explanation The Ahom Kingdom (ruled Assam for nearly 600 years) relied on a unique administrative and military structure known as the Paik system. Under this system, the state depended on forced labour, and the social structure was organized to support both agricultural production and military defense. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: The Ahom state did not initially maintain a large standing army. Instead, the Paik system functioned as a militia. Almost all able-bodied adult males were registered as paiks and were obligated to serve in the army during times of war. This allowed the Ahoms to mobilize a massive force quickly. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Ahom administration was highly centralized and exercised strict control over the population. To manage resources and reduce the power of clans, the state forcibly shifted people from heavily populated areas to less populated regions. The subjects were not free to migrate to other kingdoms or move voluntarily; their residence and labor were tied to specific administrative units called khels. Key Takeaway: The Paik system was the backbone of the Ahom state, making military service mandatory for all adult males during war, while strictly regulating population movement and labor during peace.

NCERT Class 7 History — Chapter 5: Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities

mcqeasy

Consider the following statements regarding the Ahom military and labour system:

Almost all adult males served in the army during war.
At other times, they were free to migrate to other kingdoms.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (a).

Explanation

The Ahom Kingdom (ruled Assam for nearly 600 years) relied on a unique administrative and military structure known as the Paik system. Under this system, the state depended on forced labour, and the social structure was organized to support both agricultural production and military defense.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: The Ahom state did not initially maintain a large standing army. Instead, the Paik system functioned as a militia. Almost all able-bodied adult males were registered as paiks and were obligated to serve in the army during times of war. This allowed the Ahoms to mobilize a massive force quickly.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Ahom administration was highly centralized and exercised strict control over the population. To manage resources and reduce the power of clans, the state forcibly shifted people from heavily populated areas to less populated regions. The subjects were not free to migrate to other kingdoms or move voluntarily; their residence and labor were tied to specific administrative units called khels.

Key Takeaway: The Paik system was the backbone of the Ahom state, making military service mandatory for all adult males during war, while strictly regulating population movement and labor during peace.

Your note

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In the context of medieval Indian history, the term 'Tanda' refers to:

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The correct option is (a).

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: The Ahom state did not initially maintain a large standing army. Instead, the Paik system functioned as a militia. Almost all able-bodied adult males were registered as paiks and were obligated to serve in the army during times of war. This allowed the Ahoms to mobilize a massive force quickly.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Ahom administration was highly centralized and exercised strict control over the population. To manage resources and reduce the power of clans, the state forcibly shifted people from heavily populated areas to less populated regions. The subjects were not free to migrate to other kingdoms or move voluntarily; their residence and labor were tied to specific administrative units called khels.