NCERT Class 12 History — Chapter 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns - Early States and Economies (c. 600 BCE - 600 CE)

mcqeasy

In the context of ancient Indian land grants, the term "Agrahara" referred to land granted to:

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AA tribal chief
BA retired soldier
CA Brahmana
DA merchant guild

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is A Brahmana.

Explanation

In the administrative and agrarian history of ancient India, particularly during the Gupta and post-Gupta periods, the state frequently issued land grants to religious beneficiaries as a form of patronage.

Detailed Analysis:

The term Agrahara specifically refers to land or villages granted to Brahmanas.
These grants were typically tax-free and often accompanied by the transfer of administrative and judicial rights over the land and its inhabitants to the donee.
The objective was to provide sustenance to Brahmanas, allowing them to pursue religious rituals, teaching, and learning without economic hardship.
While similar terms like Devadana referred to land granted to temples, Agrahara (or Brahmadeya) was distinct in its allocation to individual or groups of Brahmanas.

Key Takeaway: An Agrahara was a specific type of tax-free land grant made to Brahmanas in ancient India, playing a crucial role in the socio-economic structure of the time.

Your note

More from Chapter 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns - Early States and Economies (c. 600 BCE - 600 CE)

In the Mauryan administration, the provincial centre of Suvarnagiri was likely important for:

easy

Which of the following is the correct chronological order of these rulers/events? 1. Accession of Chandragupta Maurya 2. Invasion of Alexander of Macedon 3. Reign of Asoka 4. End of the Mauryan Empire Select the correct answer using the code given below:

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the issuance of coins: 1. Punch-marked coins were issued only by kings, never by merchants or bankers. 2. The first coins to bear the names and images of rulers were issued by the Indo-Greeks. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Which dynasty issued the largest hoards of gold coins in the early historic period, which were virtually identical in weight to Roman coins?

easy

Consider the following statements regarding the Yaudheyas: 1. They did not issue any coins. 2. They were a tribal republic in Punjab and Haryana. 3. Their coins point to their lack of interest in economic exchanges. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Keep practising Chapter 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns - Early States and Economies (c. 600 BCE - 600 CE)

Work through every question from this NCERT chapter.

Browse all NCERT Class 12 History chapters

Correct Option

The correct option is A Brahmana.

Explanation

Detailed Analysis:

The term Agrahara specifically refers to land or villages granted to Brahmanas.
These grants were typically tax-free and often accompanied by the transfer of administrative and judicial rights over the land and its inhabitants to the donee.
The objective was to provide sustenance to Brahmanas, allowing them to pursue religious rituals, teaching, and learning without economic hardship.
While similar terms like Devadana referred to land granted to temples, Agrahara (or Brahmadeya) was distinct in its allocation to individual or groups of Brahmanas.

Key Takeaway: An Agrahara was a specific type of tax-free land grant made to Brahmanas in ancient India, playing a crucial role in the socio-economic structure of the time.