Ahom Economy and Land System
Assam History MCQs
AHOM PERIOD (1228–1826)
Topic: Ahom Economy and Land System
(APSC CCE & Other Competitive Examinations)
Q1. The economic system of the Ahoms was primarily based on which principle?
A. Cash taxation
B. Trade monopoly
C. Land revenue in cash
D. Labour-based economy
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
The Ahom economy was fundamentally labour-oriented, not cash-based. The state derived services from its subjects instead of monetary taxes, making it a non-monetized agrarian economy.
Q2. What was the basic unit of land measurement in the Ahom land system?
A. Bigha
B. Pura
C. Katha
D. Paik
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The Pura was the standard unit used to measure cultivable land during the Ahom period. Land allocation was done based on this measurement.
Q3. The Ahom land system was closely associated with which social-administrative institution?
A. Zamindari system
B. Jagirdari system
C. Paik system
D. Ryotwari system
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Paik system formed the backbone of Ahom administration and economy. Every adult male was registered as a Paik and contributed labour to the state.
Q4. Under the Paik system, how many individuals usually formed one working group?
A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Five
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Four Paiks formed a Goti, where one Paik worked for the state at a time while the remaining three maintained his land.
Q5. Which category of land was directly cultivated by the state?
A. Brahmottar land
B. Dharmottar land
C. Khas land
D. Nankar land
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Khas land belonged directly to the Ahom state and was cultivated for royal and administrative purposes.
Q6. Land granted to Brahmins for religious purposes was known as:
A. Nankar land
B. Brahmottar land
C. Paik land
D. Devottar land
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Brahmottar land was tax-free land granted to Brahmins to promote religious and scholarly activities.
Q7. Which type of land grant was given to religious institutions?
A. Brahmottar
B. Khas
C. Devottar
D. Paik
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Devottar land was allotted to temples and religious establishments for their maintenance.
Q8. What was the primary occupation of the Ahom economy?
A. Trade
B. Handicrafts
C. Agriculture
D. Animal husbandry
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Ahom economy was agrarian, with wet rice cultivation forming its core economic activity.
Q9. Which crop was most extensively cultivated during the Ahom period?
A. Wheat
B. Rice
C. Millet
D. Barley
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Rice was the staple crop due to Assam’s fertile plains and abundant rainfall.
Q10. The absence of regular land revenue in cash indicates that the Ahom economy was:
A. Commercialized
B. Monetized
C. Feudal
D. Non-monetized
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
The Ahoms relied mainly on labour and service obligations, not monetary taxation.
Q11. Who was responsible for maintaining land records at the village level?
A. Borbarua
B. Borphukan
C. Gaonburah
D. Rajkhowa
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Gaonburah maintained village records, including land distribution and Paik registration.
Q12. Which group was exempted from compulsory Paik service?
A. Artisans
B. Peasants
C. Brahmins
D. Soldiers
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Brahmins enjoying Brahmottar land grants were exempt from Paik duties.
Q13. The Paik system primarily ensured:
A. Military recruitment
B. Agricultural labour supply
C. Revenue collection
D. Judicial administration
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The system ensured steady labour for agriculture, public works, and state service.
Q14. Which activity was NOT supported by the Paik system?
A. Road construction
B. Irrigation
C. Overseas trade
D. Agriculture
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Paik system focused on local agrarian and administrative needs, not overseas trade.
Q15. The Ahom rulers encouraged agriculture mainly to:
A. Promote exports
B. Strengthen self-sufficiency
C. Increase cash income
D. Support urbanization
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Agricultural expansion ensured food security and economic self-reliance.
Q16. Which official supervised land and Paik administration at the regional level?
A. Gaonburah
B. Rajkhowa
C. Borbarua
D. Phukan
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The Rajkhowa supervised revenue, land, and Paik affairs in his jurisdiction.
Q17. What type of economy existed during the early Ahom period?
A. Urban economy
B. Industrial economy
C. Subsistence economy
D. Capitalist economy
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The economy was subsistence-based, focused on local consumption rather than trade.
Q18. Which land category was granted in lieu of service?
A. Nankar land
B. Khas land
C. Brahmottar land
D. Devottar land
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Nankar land was given to officials and servants instead of salary.
Q19. The Ahom land system helped in maintaining:
A. Class hierarchy
B. Social equality
C. Foreign trade
D. Monetary surplus
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Uniform land distribution and service obligations promoted relative social equality.
Q20. Which natural factor most supported the Ahom agrarian economy?
A. Mineral resources
B. Dense forests
C. Fertile alluvial plains
D. Coastal access
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Assam’s fertile river valleys made agriculture highly productive.
Q21. The Paik system began to weaken mainly due to:
A. Foreign invasions
B. Growth of cash economy
C. Administrative corruption
D. Religious conflicts
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
With the gradual introduction of monetization, the labour-based system lost relevance.
Q22. Which Ahom ruler encouraged systematic land measurement?
A. Sukaphaa
B. Suhungmung
C. Rudra Singha
D. Gaurinath Singha
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Suhungmung introduced administrative reforms, including land assessment.
Q23. The Ahom economy largely avoided exploitation because:
A. Taxes were minimal
B. Labour was rotational
C. Land was privately owned
D. Trade dominated income
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Rotational labour under the Paik system prevented overburdening individuals.
Q24. Which group primarily engaged in handicraft production?
A. Paiks
B. Artisans
C. Nobility
D. Priests
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Specialized artisan Paiks produced textiles, weapons, and tools.
Q25. The economic foundation of Ahom military strength was based on:
A. Trade taxes
B. Agricultural surplus
C. Foreign aid
D. Tribute
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Agricultural surplus sustained soldiers and state machinery.
Q26. Which statement best describes Ahom land ownership?
A. Private ownership
B. State ownership
C. Zamindari control
D. Communal ownership
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
All land theoretically belonged to the state, allocated for use.
Q27. Which system ensured equitable land distribution?
A. Zamindari system
B. Paik system
C. Ijara system
D. Ryotwari system
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The Paik system ensured balanced land allotment among households.
Q28. The Ahom economy can best be described as:
A. Capitalist
B. Feudal
C. Agrarian-labour based
D. Industrial
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
It combined agriculture with compulsory state service.
Q29. Which factor limited large-scale trade during the Ahom period?
A. Poor administration
B. Lack of surplus production
C. Excessive taxation
D. Hostile neighbors
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Subsistence farming left little surplus for large-scale commerce.
Q30. The greatest strength of the Ahom economic system was its:
A. Revenue generation
B. Military expenditure
C. Stability and self-sufficiency
D. Commercial growth
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The labour-based agrarian system ensured long-term stability, enabling Ahom rule for nearly 600 years.
✅ Exam Relevance Note
These MCQs are strictly aligned with the APSC CCE syllabus and are equally useful for UPSC, Assam Police, TET, Grade III/IV, and other competitive exams requiring Assam History preparation.
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