MasteryExams
History • Medieval IndiaMedium

During the medieval period, the administrative office known as 'Pradhan' or 'Thokdar' in the hill kingdoms of Uttarakhand was primarily responsible for which of the following functions?

A. Collection of land revenue and maintenance of local peace within designated village clusters✓ Correct Answer
B. Commanding the royal infantry and directing siege warfare during military campaigns
C. Supervising royal mints and standardizing weights across trans-Himalayan trade routes
D. Preserving sacred temple manuscripts and officiating daily rituals at major shrines

💡 Solution & Explanation

In the traditional revenue and administrative setup of Garhwal and Kumaon, local functionaries designated as Thokdars and Pradhans acted as key intermediaries between the central hill administration and village communities, primarily tasked with revenue collection and policing. Military command was vested in high-ranking commanders known as Bakshi or Senapati, while religious duties were performed by temple priests. This decentralized agrarian administration ensured steady revenue flows for the hill rajas.

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