In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs : Term Description 1. Eripatti : Land, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank 2. Taniyurs : Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins 3. Ghatikas : Colleges generally attached to the temples Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 3 only
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) 1 and 3 ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• Pair 1 is correct: in Chola inscriptions, eripatti was land whose revenue was earmarked for maintaining the village tank (eri).
• Pair 3 is correct: ghatikas were Brahmanical colleges of higher learning, usually attached to temples, as at Kanchi.
• Pair 2 is wrong: villages granted to Brahmins were brahmadeya; taniyur was a large village or township administered as a separate unit, often around a big temple.
• Hence 1 and 3, option (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2
- Pair 2 is wrong: Brahmin villages were brahmadeya, not taniyur.
- (b) 3 only
- Pair 1 (eripatti) is also correct.
- (c) 2 and 3
- Pair 2 is wrong.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2016, held on 7 August 2016. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.