Correct Option
The correct option is12 villages
Explanation
The administrative system of the Gond kingdom, particularly the state of Garha Katanga, was centralized and hierarchical. The nature of this administration is recorded in medieval chronicles such as the Akbarnama.Administrative Hierarchy of the Gonds:
- Garh: The kingdom was divided into large administrative units known as Garhs. Each Garh was under the control of a specific Gond clan.
- Chaurasi: Each Garh was further subdivided into units consisting of 84 villages. These units were called Chaurasi (derived from the Hindi word for eighty-four).
- Barhot: The Chaurasi was subdivided into smaller units called Barhots. Each Barhot was made up of 12 villages.
Thus, in the Gond administrative system, a 'barhot' represented a cluster of 12 villages.
Key Takeaway: The Gond administration followed a decimal-like hierarchy: Kingdom → Garh → Chaurasi (84 villages) → Barhot (12 villages).