With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size?

The correct answer is Option 1

Key Points

• In medieval India, especially during the Mughal period, the empire was divided into multiple administrative units for better governance. The scorrect sequence in ascending order of size is:
  Paragana → Sarkar → Suba. Hence, Option 1 is correct.

1. Paragana (Smallest Unit):

   • A Paragana was a cluster of villages.
   • It was the smallest administrative unit, consisting of several villages, typically managed by officials like a qanungo (record keeper) and chaudhary (local headman).

2. Sarkar (Intermediate Unit):

   • A Sarkar was a group of Paraganas.
   • It acted as an intermediate administrative division, headed by faujdar (military officer) and amil (revenue collector).

3. Suba (Largest Unit):

   • A Suba was the largest administrative division, equivalent to a province, and was governed by a subedar (provincial governor).
   • The Mughal Empire was divided into multiple Subas (provinces) during Akbar’s reign, each responsible for managing the Sarkars and Paraganas within it.
   • Thus, the correct sequence in ascending order of size is:
     Paragana → Sarkar → Suba.