"Initially referring to neighboring rulers, the term 'samanta' evolved to denote subjected tributary rulers reinstated under the king's suzerainty. The rise of samantas was a unique structural feature of the medieval period. They enjoyed significant autonomy within their territories, often surpassing the king's governors and central court officers in wealth and prestige."
What does the evolution of the term *samanta* reflect about the medieval political structure?

• A shift from local governance to imperial centralization.

• The replacement of governors with foreign allies.

• The transition of independent rulers into subordinate tributaries under royal authority.

• The decline of regional autonomy in favor of direct royal control.

"Samantisation led to a reduction in central power as officers received revenue assignments instead of cash salaries, eroding the ruler's power base. Despite attempts to cancel land assignments, samantisation prevailed, leading to the fragmentation of central power."'
Which factor most directly contributed to the erosion of the ruler's authority during samantisation?

• The king's preference for decentralized governance.

• The replacement of cash salaries with territorial revenue assignments.

• The samantas' refusal to attend royal courts.

• The rise of independent foreign invasions.

*"To integrate the samantas into the empire's hierarchy, kings granted them territories and high positions at court. For instance, rulers like the king of Valabhi (modern-day Gujarat) who was defeated by Harsha, gained recognition as a 'mahasamanta' (Great samanta) and rose to positions such as 'Guardian of the Royal Gateway' and 'Royal Fieldmarshal''.
What strategy did kings use to maintain control over defeated regional rulers?

• Exiling them to distant territories.

• Granting them ceremonial titles and territorial authority.

• Imposing heavy taxes on their regions.

• Abolishing their traditional governance systems.

"The lack of cash to pay their salaries further accelerated the process of land grants and court titles. This then was the process of samantisation often described as a form of Indian feudalism."
Why did kings increasingly grant land instead of cash to officers?

• To encourage agricultural development.

• Due to insufficient monetary resources for salaries.

• To weaken regional rulers' influence.

• To promote trade and commerce.

"The emphasis on the 'samantacakra,' or circle of tributary princes, gradually reduced the court to a display of royal splendor. This made the whole administrative system inherently unstable."  
How did the *samantacakra* affect the stability of the kingdom?

• It centralized military power under the king.

• It created a symbolic court but weakened administrative cohesion.

• It encouraged samantas to compete for royal favor.

• It eliminated regional autonomy entirely.

"Medieval inscriptions and texts glorified the samantacakra and the wealth of samantas attending court, showcasing the ruler’s prestige. The durbar, or court assembly, became a symbol of royal grandeur."  
What was the primary purpose of glorifying the *samantacakra* in medieval texts?

• To document historical events accurately.

• To highlight the king's military conquests.

• To emphasize the ruler's prestige through the display of subordinate loyalty.

• To criticize the decentralization of power.

"Central court officers also sought similar recognition and territorial holdings as the samantas and obtained it in due course."
What does this statement reveal about the relationship between central officers and samantas?

• Central officers resisted samantisation to protect their power.

• Central officers emulated samantas to gain comparable privileges.

• Samantas were subordinate to central officers in the hierarchy.

• Central officers collaborated with samantas to overthrow the king.

"The process of samantisation slowly eroded the power base of the ruler even in areas directly under his control as the granting of territories diminished his own central administration."  
Which long-term effect did samantisation have on the king's direct territories?

• Increased agricultural productivity.

• Strengthened bureaucratic efficiency.

• Fragmentation of administrative control.

• Expansion of trade networks.

"Powerful samantas sometimes sought autonomy and independence or aimed to dominate the samantacakra." 
What does this suggest about the loyalty of samantas to the king?

• They were consistently loyal due to shared cultural values.

• Their loyalty was conditional and often self-serving.

• They prioritized religious duties over political alliances.

• They relied entirely on the king for military support.

"The durbar, or court assembly, became a symbol of royal grandeur, with the number of attending samantas reflecting the king’s fame."  
How was the king's reputation measured in this context?

• By the size of his army.

• By the number of samantas present at court.

• By the wealth of his central officers.

• By the architectural splendor of his palace.