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

mcqeasy

In the Ahom administrative system, the unit known as 'khel' typically comprised:

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AA single large city
BA standing army unit
CSeveral villages
DThe royal treasury

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is

Several villages

Explanation

The Ahom kingdom (ruling present-day Assam from the 13th to the 19th century) operated on a unique administrative structure known as the Paik system. The state relied heavily on forced labour, and the society was organized into specific administrative units to manage resources and manpower effectively.

Detailed Analysis

Structure of the Khel: Ahom society was divided into clans or administrative units known as khels. A khel was not limited to a single settlement but typically exercised jurisdiction over several villages.
Function: The khel was responsible for organizing the paiks (adult males obligated to render service to the state). The village community within the khel managed land distribution among peasants.
Administrative Control: By the 17th century, the administration became centralized, but the khel remained the fundamental unit for organizing society and labour across multiple villages.

Key Takeaway: In the Ahom administrative system, a 'khel' was a clan-based unit that typically controlled and administered several villages.

Your note

More from Chapter 5: Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities

With reference to the administrative system of the Gond kingdom of Garha Katanga, consider the following statements: 1. The kingdom was divided into administrative units called garhs, each controlled by a particular Gond clan. 2. Each garh was further subdivided into units of 100 villages called shataks. 3. The chaurasi was subdivided into barhots, which were made up of 12 villages each. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the Ahom state in medieval India, consider the following statements: 1. The Ahom state relied solely on voluntary service and did not use forced labour. 2. A census of the population was taken, and each village had to send a number of paiks by rotation. 3. The system involved men serving in the army and public works by rotation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the sources of tribal history in medieval India: 1. Tribal people in the medieval period kept extensive written records of their administration. 2. Contemporary historians and travellers gave very scanty information about tribes. 3. Tribal people preserved rich customs and oral traditions passed down to new generations. 4. Present-day historians use oral traditions to write tribal histories. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

easy

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

easy

Who among the following Mughal generals defeated the Chero tribe in present-day Bihar and Jharkhand in 1591?

medium

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Correct Option

The correct option is

Several villages

Explanation

Detailed Analysis

Structure of the Khel: Ahom society was divided into clans or administrative units known as khels. A khel was not limited to a single settlement but typically exercised jurisdiction over several villages.
Function: The khel was responsible for organizing the paiks (adult males obligated to render service to the state). The village community within the khel managed land distribution among peasants.
Administrative Control: By the 17th century, the administration became centralized, but the khel remained the fundamental unit for organizing society and labour across multiple villages.

Key Takeaway: In the Ahom administrative system, a 'khel' was a clan-based unit that typically controlled and administered several villages.