Insights Static Quiz -150, 2018 –History

Answer – C

• The physical environment of the Maratha country shaped certain peculiar qualities among the The mountainous region and dense forests made them brave soldiers and adopt guerilla tactics. They built a number of forts on the mountains. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• The spread of the Bhakti movement in Maharashtra inculcated a spirit of religious unity among them. The spiritual leaders like Tukkaram, Ramdas, Vaman Pandit and Eknath fostered social unity . Hence statement 2 is correct.

Answer – C

• Shivaji was also a great administrator. He laid the foundations of a sound system of administration.
• The king was the pivot of the He was assisted by a council of ministers called Ashtapradhan. However, each minister was directly responsible to Shivaji.
  • Peshwa – Finance and general administration. Later he became the prime minister.
  • Sar-i-Naubat or Senapati – Military commander, a honorary
  • Amatya – Accountant General.
  • Waqenavis – Intelligence, posts and household affairs. Hence statement 1 and 3 are correct.
  • Sachiv – Correspondence.
  • Sumanta – Master of ceremonies.
  • Nyayadish – Justice.
  • Panditarao – Charities and religious administration.
• Thus there was no foreign affairs administration specifically under Marathas. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.

Answer – C

• The revenue system of Shivaji was based on that of Malik Amber of Ahmadnagar. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• Lands were measured by using the measuring rod called kathi. Lands were also classified into three categories – paddy fields, garden lands and hilly tracks. He reduced the powers of the existing deshmuks and He appointed his own revenue officials called karkuns. Hence statement 2 is correct.

Answer – C

• Chauth and sardeshmukhi were the taxes collected not in the Maratha kingdom but in the neighbouring territories of the Mughal empire or Deccan sultanates. Hence both statements are
• Chauth was one fourth of the land revenue paid to the Marathas in order to avoid the Maratha raids.
• Sardeshmukhi was an additional levy of ten percent on those lands which the Marathas claimed hereditary rights.

Answer – C

• Shivaji was a man of military genius and his army was well
• The regular army consisted of about 30000 to 40000 cavalry supervised by havaildars. They were given fixed salaries. There were two divisions in the Maratha cavalry – 1. bargirs, equipped and paid by the state; and 2. silahdars, maintained by the Hence statement 1 is correct.
• In the infantry, the Mavli foot soldiers played an important
• Shivaji also maintained a navy. Hence statement 2 is correct.