The correct option is (a).
Explanation
The Gond kingdom of Garha Katanga, located in central India, evolved from a tribal society into a centralized state. Its administrative structure is well-documented in historical texts such as the Akbarnama, which describes the hierarchy of its territorial units.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: The kingdom was divided into large administrative units called Garhs. Each Garh was under the control of a specific Gond clan.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Each Garh was further subdivided into units comprising 84 villages, known as Chaurasi (derived from the Hindi word for eighty-four).
- Statement 3 is Correct: The Chaurasi was subdivided into smaller units called Barhots, which were made up of 12 villages each.
- Statement 4 is Incorrect: The term Khel is associated with the Ahom Kingdom of Assam. In the Ahom administration, society was divided into clans or Khels, which organized the paik (forced labour) system and often controlled several villages. It was not a unit in the Gond administration.
Key Takeaway:
The administrative hierarchy of the Gond kingdom was: Kingdom → Garh → Chaurasi → Barhot. The term Khel belongs to the Ahom administration.