Question 92 from UPSC CSE 2015 - Medieval History

Question

With reference to Indian history, which of the following is/are the essential element/elements of the feudal system?
1. A very strong centralized political authority and a very weak provincial or local political authority.
2. Emergence of administrative structure based on control and possession of land.
3. Creation of lord-vassal relationship between the feudal lord and his overlord.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 2 and 3 only

Strategy: - Identify statement 1 as incorrect because feudalism is defined by decentralized, not centralized, power.
- Focus on statements 2 (land-based administration) and 3 (hierarchical lord-vassal relationships) as core features.
- Select the option containing only statements 2 and 3.

Key Info: Feudalism is a socio-economic and administrative system typified by:

- Decentralization of power from central authority to local lords or chiefs. In Indian history, this process is evident from the early medieval period, particularly between the 8th and 13th centuries CE when regional powers and local chieftains grew increasingly autonomous as central dynasties weakened.
- Land grants (such as jagirs or samantas in India) become the basis of administration and revenue, creating a structure where landholders controlled agricultural production, collected taxes, and maintained armed forces locally.
- The lord-vassal hierarchy defined obligations such as military service, tribute, and protection. In the Indian context, overlords (such as kings or emperors) bestowed tax-free land on vassals (feudal lords), who in turn owed them service and loyalty, paralleling the European model of feudal obligation.
- Statement 1 is incorrect because a feudal system inherently involves a weak or fragmented central authority and strong provincial or local powers; it is the opposite of highly centralized administration.
- Examples: The Chalukyas, Rajputs, and later Mughal India's mansabdari and jagirdari systems.
- The essential elements, therefore, are land-based administrative control and hierarchical lord-vassal relations, not strong centralization.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 and 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 1, 2, and 3