The correct option is (c).
Explanation
The Ahom state (present-day Assam) established a centralized political system in medieval India. Its administration and economy were heavily reliant on a unique system of forced labour and conscription known as the Paik system.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Ahom state did not rely on voluntary service; rather, it depended on forced labour. Those forced to work for the state were called paiks. The state structure was built around this mandatory service obligation.
- Statement 2 is Correct: To manage the Paik system efficiently, a census of the population was taken. Based on the census data, each village had to send a specific number of paiks by rotation to serve the state. People were often shifted from heavily populated areas to less populated ones to balance the labour distribution.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The system mandated that almost all adult males serve in the army during times of war. At other times, they were engaged in public works such as building dams, irrigation systems, and other infrastructure. This rotational service ensured a standing militia and a labour force for state development.
Key Takeaway:
The Paik system was the backbone of the Ahom administration, functioning as a form of forced conscription where adult males provided labour for public works and military service on a rotational basis.