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Indian HistoryHardAsked in: NDA · NDA-I 2022, GAT

The 13th Century text Lekhapaddhati gives us information on which one of the following topics?

  1. A.Art of writing
  2. B.Essay writing
  3. C.Legal document
  4. D.Epigraphic style

Correct answer

C. Legal document

Explanation

The correct answer is C, Legal document. The Lekhapaddhati is a collection of model legal and administrative documents from Gujarat, compiled around the thirteenth century.

The text gives sample forms of documents that scribes used: land grants, sale deeds, loan bonds, mortgage papers, treaties between kings, and letters of appointment. Because these models were based on real deeds, they give historians rare details on trade, revenue, slavery, the role of women and daily economic life in Gujarat under the Chaulukya (Solanki) and Vaghela rulers. It is written in Sanskrit with many local terms, which makes it valuable for the study of regional administration as well.

A is wrong because the text is not a manual on the art of writing or calligraphy. B is wrong because it has nothing to do with essays or literary composition. D is wrong because it does not deal with the style of inscriptions, but with the drafting of legal deeds and documents.

Exam tip: Lekhapaddhati means a guide to drafting documents; link it with Gujarat and legal deeds.

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Q2.Indian HistoryAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2026, GKMedium

Why do you think Vijayanagara incorporated agricultural tracts within the fortified area ?

  1. A.To promote high yield agriculture under State supervision
  2. B.To protect the agricultural belt from the sieges of an invading army
  3. C.To protect the agriculture from stray animals
  4. D.To protect the agriculture from drought
Show answer
Correct answer: B. To protect the agricultural belt from the sieges of an invading army

Medieval sieges aimed to starve a city into surrender, so Vijayanagara kept fields and food inside its walls. The Persian ambassador Abdur Razzaq, who visited in the 1440s, described seven lines of fortification around the city, with fields, gardens and houses between them.

Q3.Indian HistoryAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2026, GKHard

With reference to the eligibility criteria for becoming the member of a 'Sabha' as laid down in the Uttaramerur inscription, consider the following statements : 1. The candidate should have his own house and his own plot of land. 2. The candidate should be within 60 years of age and above 30 years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.Both 1 and 2
  4. D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 1 only

The inscription asks that a member own land and a house, but it sets the age limit at 35 to 70 years, not 30 to 60.

Q4.Indian HistoryAsked in: NDA · NDA-I 2018, GATHard

Who gifted the Badshah Nama to King George in 1799?

  1. A.Abul Fazl
  2. B.Abdul Hamid Lahori
  3. C.Nawab of Awadh
  4. D.William Jones
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Nawab of Awadh

In 1799 the Nawab of Awadh presented an illustrated manuscript of the Badshah Nama to King George III of Britain, and it is now kept in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle.