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Sl. No. Topic Page Numbers

ANCIENT HISTORY TERMINOLOGIES 1 - 7

1. Vedic Age 1 - 2

2. Magadhan Age 2 - 5

3. Mauryan Age 5 - 5

4. Satavahanas 6 - 6

5. Guptas 6 - 6

6. Harsha Period 7 - 7

7. Sangam Age and Cholas 7 - 7

8. Miscellaneous 7 - 7

MEDIEVAL HISTORY TERMINOLOGIES 8 -11

1. Slave Dynasty 8 - 8

2. Khilji Dynasty 8 - 8

3. Tughlaq Dynasty 8 - 9

4. Lodhis 9 - 9

5. Administration Related Terms During Sultante Period (Slave Dynasty to Lodhis)

9 - 9

6. Vijayanagara Empire 10-10

7. Religious Movements 10-10

8. Mughul Empire 10-11

9. Shershah Suri 11-11

10. Shivaji’s Ashtapradhans 11-11

INDEX

RRP 2021 – Ancient and Medieval History Terminologies

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1. VEDIC AGE:

a. Early Vedic Age:

TERMS DESCRIPTION

Aval Wells

Ayas Term used for copper or bronze

Bali Voluntary offerings to the chief by the people

Balisadhaka Officers collecting Bali

Bhishaka Physicians

Dasas Early branch of Aryans

Dasuhatya Slaughter of Dasyus

Dasyus Original inhabitants of Indian Sub-continent

Gavishti Search for cows

Gavyuti Unit of measure of distance

Godhuli Unit of measure of time

Gomat Wealthy person with cattle wealth

Gopati Raja whose main duty was to protect cows

Gramani Village headmen who functioned as leaders of tribal regiments

Hiranyaka Goldsmith

Karishu Manure land

Kulapas Head of family during Vedic age

Kulya Canal

Nishka, Krishna and Satmana Names of Gold coins used during the period

Panchjana 5 tribes in ancient India

Rajan Kind of chief during Vedic age

Sabha Council of elders (only few participated + No entry for Women)

Samhita Collection of Vedic hymns

Samiti Assembly of people in Vedic Period

Sapta Sindva Land of seven rivers

Senani Provincial Governor

Sita Furrow land

Spasa Spies

Sthapathi Commander-in-Chief

Urvara Cultivated land

Vajapeya Chariot race

Vidata Oldest assembly (Women were allowed to participate)

Vrajapati Officer in charge of pasture land

Vrihi Rice in Vedic literature

Yava Barley (Staple crop of the period)

ANCIENT HISTORY TERMINOLOGIES

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b. Later Vedic Age:

TERMS DESCRIPTION

Akshavapa Accountant

Bhagadugha Tax collector

Goghna Guests during Later Vedic Age who were fed on cattle

Mahishi Chief Queen

Rajanya Kinsmen during LV phase

Sangrihitri Treasurer

Senani The General

Shrestins Elder men

Vedic age names of Rivers:

Present Names Vedic Names

Indus Sindhu

Jhelum Vitasta

Chenab Askini

Ravi Parushni

Beas Vipas

Sutlej Shutudri

Saraswati Nanditara

Gomati Gumal

Tapi Damanganga

Types of marriages during Vedic Period

Type of Marriage Description

Arsa A token bride-price of a cow is given in place of dowry

Asura Bride bought from her father

Brahma Marriage of a duly dowered girl with a man of same class

Daiva A daughter given to a sacrificial priest as a part of fee

Gandharva Love marriage

Paishacha Marriage by seduction

Prajapatya The father gives the girl without dowry and without demanding the bride-price

Rakshasa Marriage by capture

2. MAGADHAN AGE:

TERM DESCRIPTION

Mahashilakantaka A war engine of Ajatashatru which catapulted big stones

Nivartan and Kulyavapa Units of land measurement

Rathamusala Kind of chariot with a mace




Sartha Caravans

Shreni Guilds

Sita State’s land

Sresthi bankers

Varihi and Sali New Rice varieties

a. Terms in Jainism

TERM DESCRIPTION

Cardinal principles of Jainism Ahimsa = Non-injury

Satya = Non-lyinng

Asteya = Non-stealing

Aparigraha = Non-Possession

Brahmacharya = Observing Celibacy

Anekantavada Theory of relative pluralism

Anuvratas Members who observed the 5 principles

Arihant Blessed one

Avadhi jnana Clairvoyant perception

Digambaras A sect of Jainism under Badrabahu

Jaina One who conquered his senses

Kaivalya = Kevala Jnana, means omniscience in Jainism

Kevalin Perfect learned

Mahavira The brave

Mahavratas Monks who observed the 5 principles

Mati jnana Perception through activity of sense orgnas including the brian

Nigranthas Free from all bonds

Shruta jnana Knowledge revealed by scriptures

Swetambaras A sect of Jainism under Stalabhadra.

They wore white clothes

Symbols of Jain Tirthankaras:

TIRTANKARA SYMBOL

Adinatha Bull

Ajithanatha Elephant

Mallinatha Water pot

Parshwanatha Serpent

Mahavira Lion




b. Terms in Buddhism

TERM DESCRIPTION

Ashatanginka Marga 8-fold path;

Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Means of Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration

Bhikshus or Shramans

The monks of Buddhism who acted as torch bearers of the dhamma

Hinayana A sect of Buddhism – known as Lesser Vehicle

2 schools;

Sautantrika and Sarvastivadika

Mahabinishkarmana Great Renunciation

Mahaparinirvana Death

Mahayana A sect of Buddhism – known as Greater Vehicle

2 schools;

Sunyavadins and Yogachara

Nirvana Enlightenment

Pavarana Confession of wrongs done by a Buddhist monk

Tripitakas 3 books of Hinayana Buddhism;

Vinaya Pitaka = rules of monastic discipline for monks

Sutta Pitaka = collection of Buddhist Sermons

Abhidhamma Pitaka = philosophies of Buddha’s teachings

Triratnas 3 jewels of Buddhism;

Buddha = Enlightened

Dhamma = Doctrine

Sangha = Order

Upasakas Worshippers of Buddhism

Vajrayana A sect of Buddhism whose followers believed that salvation could by attained by magical powers.

Major events of Buddha’s Life and associated symbols:

EVENT SYMBOL

Birth Lotus and Bull

Renunciation Horse

Enlightenment Bodhi tree

First Sermon (Dharmachakra pravartana) Wheel

Death Stupa




BODHISATTAVAS:

BODHISATTAVA DESCRIPTION

Amitabha The Buddha of Heaven

Avalokiteshwara/Padmapani Bodhisattava with lotus in hand

Kshitigraha Guardian of Purgatories

Maitreya The future Buddha

Manjushri Bodhisattava holding books that describes 10 paramitas

Vajrapani Bodhisattva holding Thunderbolt

3. MAURYAN AGE:

TERM DESCRIPTION

Adhyakshas Officers who looked after various departments during the period

Amatyas Administrative personnel who filled the highest administrative and judicial posts during the Mauryas.

Ayuktas Title of an officer often used in the Mauryan period

Bhaga A type of tax during Ashokan period. It was 1/8th of the produce.

Dhammamahamatra Officers of righteousness

Gopa Chief priest

Gopa and Sthanika Intermediate level administration was administered by them (Mauryan period)

Grambhojaka Gramika was helped by Grambhojaka.

Gramika Head of the village. He was not a paid servant and was chosen among village elders.

Pramukha The President of the Shrenis (guilds) during Mauryas

Rajukas Officers of Ashokan period who were vested with authority of punishing and rewarding people

Rathakara Chariot maker

Samatata South-East Bengal

Samhartha Revenue collector during Mauryas.

Sannidhata Treasurer and keeper of the stores during Mauryas

Satamana A silver coin which weighed about 180 grains.

Senapati Commander-in-chief

Skandhavaras Military camps

Strategos Governors in Central Asian kingdoms

Varnasankara Intermixture of varnas or social orders

Yuktas They appear to have been the subordinate official whose duties were largely secretarial works and accounting.




4. SATAVAHANAS:

TERM DESCRIPTION

Ahara Provinces

Amatyas and Mahamatyas

Officers in charge of provinces

Gandhikas Perfumers in the age of Satavahanas

Gaulamika Administration of the villages was placed under them in the Satavahana period.

Mahabhoja Second Grade Feudatories of Satavahanas

Stridhana Immovable property that a woman holds

Uparakshitha People who built caves for monks during Satavahanas

Valaikkarars Troops in royal service during Satavahanas

5. GUPTAS:

TERMS DESCRIPTION

Aprahata Bhoomi Forest Land

Bali Additional and oprressive tax of the period

Bhaga King’s share in produce to be paid by the cultivators

Bhoga Periodic supplies of fruits, firewoods etc., to king

Bhukti Gupta period administrative unit of a kingdom (Province)

Chargah Bhoomi Pasture Land

Dandapashika Chief officer of Police department

Gopasramin During Samudragupta’s period, the officer looked into matters of accounts to recover royal dues

Khila Waste land

Kumaramatyas Acted as a link between the central and provincial administration under Guptas

Mahabaldikarta Chief of palace guards during Guptas.

Mahadandanayaka Minister of Justice

Mahaprajapati Chief officer of elephant corps

Mahashvapati Chief of cavalry

Paura Council responsible for city administration

Pustapala Record keeper during Guptas. Also called as Karanika

Sandhivigrahika Foreign minister, Minister of war and peace (Guptas)

Senabhakta Form of a tax i.e., army was to be fed by the people whenever, it passed through the countryside.

Uparika Provincial Governor during Guptas who was appointed directly by the king

Vastu Bhoomi Habitable land

Vishayapathi Incharge of districts during Gupta period

Vishayas Districts during Gupta age

Vishti Forced labour (Gupta Age)




6. HARSHA PERIOD:

TERM DESCRIPTION

Agharikas Officers who looked after the land given in charity during the period of Harsha

7. SANGAM AGE AND CHOLAS:

TERM DESCRIPTION

Kunji Montane region

Palai Pastoral tract

Mullai Pastoral tract

Marutam Wetland

Neital Coastal/littoral

Karai Land tax

Irai Tribute paid by feudatories and booty collected in war

Iravu Forced gift

Ulgu Custom duties

Variyar Tax collector

Variyam A unit of territory yielding tax

Kalanju Gold coin of Cholas

8. MISCELLANEOUS:

TERM DESCRIPTION

Mahapratihara “great door-keeper” and represents an official title used in the political management of townships in ancient India

Lokapalas Security Guards

Kulathi Horse gram

Kataka Military camp

Kadaisiyar Lowest class people who carried out agricultural operations

Gabarbands Nalas

Gahapati Wealthy householders employing slaves and hired labourers to work on their lands

Danda Bhukti Administrative unit formed in the border areas lying between Bengal and Orissa

Agrahara Contribution of land or taxes from a village by the king to the Brahmins

Pariyars Agricultural labourers

Shataka Special type of Mathura cloth

Skandhavaras Military camps




1. SLAVE DYNASTY:

TERM MEANING

Aamir – I – Akkur Master of Stables

Aamir – I – Hajib Master of Ceremonies

Aamir – I – shikar Master of Hunting

Diwan – I - Arz Military department of Balban

Diwn – I – Wazarat Finance department of Balban

Naib – I - Mamaliq Deputy Sultan

Taj – ul – Mulk Closest Vazim

Turgan – I - Chahalgami Body Guard system

2. KHILJI DYNASTY:

TERM MEANING

Arz – I – Mamaliq Chief of army staff

Diwan – I – Riyasath Minister of Commerce

Khan – I – Khan Deputy Sultan

Mustakharaj Special officer for collection of revenue

Sar - I – Jandar Chief of royal body guards

Sarai – Adi Open market for sale of all goods by Allauddin Khilji

Shahana – I – Mandi Registrar of Market

Dag system Branding of Horse

3. TUGHLAQ DYNASTY:

TERM DESCRIPTION

Abwabs Additional cess laid by Muhammad-Bin-Tughlaq (MBT)

Adha and Bikh Coins by FST

Adha = 50% of Jittal

Bikh = 25% of Jittal

Batai system System of sharing crops introduced by Giyasuddin Tughlaq

Dar – ul – Shafa Charitable hospitals with facilities

Dewan – I - Bandagan Department of slaves

Diwan – I – Khairat Department to support for poor girls’ marriages

Diwan – I – Kohi Agricultural department started by MBT

Hammam Room for bath of hot and cold water

Haq – I – Sharb Water tax by Firoz shah Tughlaq (FST)

Jaziya A tax paid by non-Muslims by FST

Khams 1/6th of the booty captured during the war by FST

MEDIEVAL HISTORY TERMINOLOGIES




Kharaj A land tax of 1/10th of the procedures of land by FST

Zakat 2.5% tax on property (by Muslims only) by FST

4. LODHIS:

TERM DESCRIPTION

Gaj – I – Sikandari Measurement of land introduced by Sikander Lodhi

5. ADMINISTRATION RELATED TERMS DURING SULTANTE PERIOD (SLAVE DYNASTY TO

LODHIS)

TERM DESCRIPTION

Wazir Military leader + supervisor of collection of income and expenditure

Arz – I – Mamaliq Head of military department

Diwan – I – Risalat Department that dealt with religious matters

Diwan – I – Insha Department that looked after the state correspondence. Headed by Dahir – I - Mumalik

Barids Intelligence agents

Wakil – I – Dar Maintained the decorum of the court

Khuts Land owners

Chachar Land out of cultivation for 3-4 years

Charai A tax on cattle

Amils Revenue officers

Ashraf A person of noble birth

Farman A royal order

Tanka Silver coin of the Delhi Sultanate

Hundi Bill of Exchange

Iqta Grant of revenues of a piece of land

Iqtadar Governor in charge of Iqta

Jitals Copper coins of the Delhi sultanate

Mamelukes Slave officers

Muqaddam Village headman

Naib Assistant

Sadr – I – jahan Title of central officer of Delhi Sultanate

Sarrafs Bankers

Shiqdar An officer in charge of an area of land described as a shiq

Taqavi Agricultural loan




6. VIJAYANAGARA EMPIRE:

TERM DESCRIPTION

Amarams Land assigned to military chiefs under Nayaka system

Ashtadiggajas The collective title given to the eight Telugu scholars and poets in the court of Emperor Krishnadevaraya

Nayaks Chiefs of Amarams

Varahas or Pagodas Gold coins of the period

Yavanaraja Sthapanacharya

Restorer of Yadava of Bidar Title of Krishnadevaraya

ASHTADIGGAJAS OF KRISHNADEVARAYA

Allasani Peddanna

Ayyalaraju Ramabhadruru

Dhurjati

Madayyagari Mallana

Nandi Thimmanna

Pingali Surana

Ramarajabhushanudu

Tenali Ramakrishna

7. RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS:

TERM DESCRIPTION

Fana Self-annihilation

Khalifah Successor

Khanqah Hospice

Murid Disciple

Pir Teacher

Raksa Dance

Sama Musical Recital

Tasawwuf Sufism

8. MUGHUL EMPIRE:

TERM DESCRIPTION

Amil Officer collecting revenue and patrolling of roads

Amin Revenue officials

Dahsala Revenue settlement based on ten years’ average

Fauzdar Administrative head of Sarkar

Ijara system Revenue-Farming

Kankut Revenue collection method based on estimate

Khalisa Land held and managed directly by the state

Kharkhanas Royal Factories




Kotwa Officer to maintain law and order

Mansab Military rank conferred by Mughal Government

Muhtasib An officer appointed to maintain regulations in a municipality

Mujtahid Iman – I – Adil Final interpreter of Islamic Law

Paibos Kissing the feet

Patwari Village Accountant

Qasba A small town

Rahdari Protection money paid by travellers

Rai Revenue collection method based on yield per unit area

Siqdar Administrative head of Paragana

Subedar Head of province

Zabti Revenue collection method based on yield of crops

Zabti system Land revenue system based on measurement and assessment of land

9. SHERSHAH SURI

TERM DESCRIPTION

Diwan – I – Arz Department of military

Diwan – I - Insha Department of dispatches

Diwan – I – Rasalat Department of correspondence

Diwan – I – Wazarat Department of revenue and finance

Sarkars provinces

Sikandari-Gaz Land measuring unit

10. SHIVAJI’S ASHTAPRADHANS:

ASHTAPRADHAN DEPARTMENT

PESHWA PM, Finance

SAR – I -NAUBAT (SENAPATI) Military Commander

MAJUMDAR (AMATYA) Accountant General

WAQENAVIS (MANTRI) Intelligence, Posts And Hoousehold Affairs

SURUNAVIS (SACHIV) Minister Of Correspondence

DABIR (SUMANTA) Foreign Minister And Minister Of Royal Ceremonies

NYAYADHISH Admistration Of Justice

PANDIT RAO Charity And Religious Affairs

TERM DESCRIPTION

Chauth 1/4th of land revenue paid to Marathas, so as not to be subjected to Maratha’s Raid

Prants Provinces

Sardeshmukhi 1/10th on those lands of Maharashatra over which Marathas claimed hereditary right, which formed part of Mughul empire

Tarafs Paraganas


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