During the Sultanate period, the revenue assignment granted to nobles in lieu of cash salary was known as a:

💡 Solution & Explanation

An 'Iqta' was a unique territorial revenue assignment system administered during the Delhi Sultanate whereby military commanders and nobles collected revenue in lieu of a direct cash salary. The 'Jagir' system served a similar administrative function later during the Mughal period, while 'Inam' referred to rent-free land grants. Understanding these evolving land revenue terminology is vital for answering medieval Indian history questions accurately.