Q. Given below are two statements one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The territories of the Sultanate could be broadly divided into two parts – the Khalsa and the Jagirs.
Reason (R): The Jagirs comprised of the land under the control of the State.
Select the correct answer from the code given below:
a) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
b) (A) is false, but (R) is true
c) (A) is true, but (R) is false
d) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
Correct Answer: c) (A) is true, but (R) is false
Question from UPPSC Prelims 2025
Explanation:
Assertion (A) is correct: in the Delhi Sultanate, territory/revenue domains were divided into khalisa (crown land under direct administration of the Sultan, revenue going straight to the treasury) and assigned lands (iqtas; often loosely called jagirs in later usage). Though the precise Sultanate-era term is ‘iqta’ rather than ‘jagir’, the statement captures the basic division.
Reason (R) is false: jagirs/iqtas were not lands under the direct control of the State; they were revenue assignments to nobles/officials (jagirdars/iqtadars) in lieu of salary, with the state retaining ultimate ownership but not day-to-day administration. It is khalisa, not jagir, that denotes land directly controlled by the State.
Hence, (A) is true but (R) is false.
