- What was the Sabha in the southern kingdoms?
a) A military council
b) An assembly of Brahmin landowners
c) A trade guild
d) A royal advisory bodyAnswer: b) An assembly of Brahmin landowners
Explanation: The Sabha was an assembly of Brahmin landowners, functioning through sub-committees responsible for irrigation, agriculture, road construction, and temple maintenance.
- The Ur was a village assembly found in areas where landowners were:
a) Brahmins
b) Merchants
c) Non-Brahmins
d) SoldiersAnswer: c) Non-Brahmins
Explanation: The Ur was a village assembly that existed in regions where landowners were not Brahmins. It played a significant role in local governance.
- What was the Nagaram in the southern kingdoms?
a) A temple committee
b) A guild of merchants
c) A village administration system
d) A royal family councilAnswer: b) A guild of merchants
Explanation: The Nagaram was an organization of merchants that played a role in trade and commerce. It was often dominated by wealthy and influential merchants.
- The Sabha functioned through which of the following?
a) Sub-committees
b) Military units
c) The king’s direct control
d) Religious leaders onlyAnswer: a) Sub-committees
Explanation: The Sabha had sub-committees responsible for various local matters like irrigation, agriculture, road construction, and temple administration.
- Who were the key decision-makers in the local assemblies of the southern kingdoms?
a) Common villagers
b) Rich and powerful landowners and merchants
c) Soldiers and military leaders
d) Buddhist monksAnswer: b) Rich and powerful landowners and merchants
Explanation: These assemblies were largely controlled by the wealthy and influential members of society, including large landowners and merchant guilds.
- What was one of the key responsibilities of the Sabha?
a) Collecting war taxes
b) Managing local administration through sub-committees
c) Appointing new kings
d) Organizing large-scale festivalsAnswer: b) Managing local administration through sub-committees
Explanation: The Sabha was involved in administrative functions such as overseeing agricultural activities, irrigation, and infrastructure.
- The local assemblies in the southern kingdoms continued to function for how long?
a) A few decades
b) A few centuries
c) Until British rule
d) Only during the Pallava periodAnswer: b) A few centuries
Explanation: Many local assemblies, including the Sabha, Ur, and Nagaram, continued to function for several centuries, playing an essential role in governance.
- What was the main distinction between the Sabha and the Ur?
a) The Sabha was exclusive to merchants, while the Ur included all people
b) The Sabha was dominated by Brahmins, while the Ur was for non-Brahmin landowners
c) The Sabha was controlled by the king, while the Ur was autonomous
d) The Sabha managed only temples, while the Ur managed tradeAnswer: b) The Sabha was dominated by Brahmins, while the Ur was for non-Brahmin landowners
Explanation: The Sabha was primarily composed of Brahmin landowners, whereas the Ur was a village assembly in non-Brahmin regions.
- What was a major factor influencing the effectiveness of these local assemblies?
a) The presence of a strong military
b) The control of trade routes
c) The dominance of rich and powerful individuals
d) Direct intervention by the kingAnswer: c) The dominance of rich and powerful individuals
Explanation: These assemblies were often controlled by the wealthiest landowners and merchants, making them influential in local governance.
- Which dynasty’s inscriptions mention local assemblies like the Sabha, Ur, and Nagaram?
a) Maurya
b) Gupta
c) Pallava
d) Mughal
Answer: c) Pallava
Explanation: The inscriptions of the Pallavas specifically mention these local assemblies, showing their importance in governance during that period.
