Q. Consider the following statements:

1. The role played by Rashtrapati in the Rashtrakuta Empire was same as the role played by the Uparika in the Pala and Pratihara Empires.
2. In the Pala and Pratihara Empires, pattala was a unit below the Visaya.

Which of the above is / are correct?
Answer: Neither 1 nor 2
Notes: The directly administered territories in the Pala and Pratihara empires were divided into bhukti (provinces), and mandala or vishaya (districts). The governor of a province was called Uparika. In the Rashtrakuta kingdom, the directly administered areas were divided into Rashtra (provinces), visaya and bhukti. The head of Rashtra was called Rashtrapati. He performed the same functions as the Uparika did in the Pala and Pratihara empires. So, statement 1 is correct. In the Pala and Pratihara empires, the unit below the visaya was called pattala. The precise role of these smaller units is not known. It seems that their main purpose was the realization of the land revenue and some attention to law and order. So, statement 2 is also correct.

This question is part of UPSC Daily 20 MCQ Series Course on GKToday Android app.