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.