With reference to the iqta system, consider the following statements: 1. The iqta was a permanent land grant given to nobles. 2. The muqti had to maintain law and order in the iqta. 3. The muqti collected revenue to pay his soldiers. 4. The muqti held the assignment for life and passed it on to his descendants. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

The correct option is (b) 2 and 3 only Explanation The Iqta system was a unique administrative and agrarian feature of the Delhi Sultanate, institutionalized by Iltutmish. It involved the assignment of land revenue of a specific territory (called Iqta) to military commanders and nobles (called Muqtis or Walis) in lieu of cash salaries. It was not a grant of land ownership but a transfer of revenue rights and administrative duties. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Iqta was not a permanent land grant. It was a transferable revenue assignment. The holders (Muqtis) were frequently transferred from one region to another by the Sultan to prevent them from developing local roots and becoming too powerful. - Statement 2 is Correct. The Muqti was responsible for maintaining law and order within the territory assigned to him. He acted as the provincial governor and the representative of the Sultan in that region. - Statement 3 is Correct. The primary purpose of the assignment was to maintain a military contingent. The Muqti collected land revenue from the cultivators, used a portion to pay his soldiers and meet his personal expenses, and was expected to remit the surplus (fawazil) to the central treasury. - Statement 4 is Incorrect. In the established system (particularly under strong Sultans like Iltutmish, Balban, and Alauddin Khilji), the assignment was neither for life nor hereditary. The state retained the right to resume or transfer the Iqta. While the system became hereditary during the decline of the Sultanate (e.g., under Firoz Shah Tughlaq), the fundamental principle of the institution was based on transferability and state control. Key Takeaway Iqta was a transferable revenue assignment, not a hereditary land right. The Muqti had a dual responsibility: collecting revenue to maintain troops and ensuring law and order in the assigned territory.

With reference to the iqta system, consider the fo... - NCERT Class 7 History MCQ

Solution

The correct option is (b) 2 and 3 only

Explanation

The Iqta system was a unique administrative and agrarian feature of the Delhi Sultanate, institutionalized by Iltutmish. It involved the assignment of land revenue of a specific territory (called Iqta) to military commanders and nobles (called Muqtis or Walis) in lieu of cash salaries. It was not a grant of land ownership but a transfer of revenue rights and administrative duties.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Iqta was not a permanent land grant. It was a transferable revenue assignment. The holders (Muqtis) were frequently transferred from one region to another by the Sultan to prevent them from developing local roots and becoming too powerful.
Statement 2 is Correct. The Muqti was responsible for maintaining law and order within the territory assigned to him. He acted as the provincial governor and the representative of the Sultan in that region.
Statement 3 is Correct. The primary purpose of the assignment was to maintain a military contingent. The Muqti collected land revenue from the cultivators, used a portion to pay his soldiers and meet his personal expenses, and was expected to remit the surplus (fawazil) to the central treasury.
Statement 4 is Incorrect. In the established system (particularly under strong Sultans like Iltutmish, Balban, and Alauddin Khilji), the assignment was neither for life nor hereditary. The state retained the right to resume or transfer the Iqta. While the system became hereditary during the decline of the Sultanate (e.g., under Firoz Shah Tughlaq), the fundamental principle of the institution was based on transferability and state control.

Key Takeaway

Iqta was a transferable revenue assignment, not a hereditary land right. The Muqti had a dual responsibility: collecting revenue to maintain troops and ensuring law and order in the assigned territory.

NCERT Class 7 History — Chapter 3: Delhi: 12th to 15th Century

Options

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Solution

The correct option is (b) 2 and 3 only

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Key Takeaway

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More from Chapter 3: Delhi: 12th to 15th Century

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