Q. In the context of the land revenue reforms of Sher Shah Suri, the term 'ray' refers to which of the following?
Answer: A rate chart
Notes: Sher Shah paid special attention to the land revenue administration. Having gained its practical knowledge, he knew the working of the land revenue system at all levels. He toned up the entire system. The land revenue was no longer to be based on guess work or by dividing the crops in the field or on the threshing floor. Sher Shah insisted on measurement of the sown land. A crop rate chart, called ray, was drawn up, laying down the state’s share of the different types of crops. This could then be converted into cash on the basis of the prevailing market rates in different areas. The share of the state was one-third of the produce. The land was classified into good, bad and middling. Their average was computed and one-third of it became the share of the state. A patta, detailing areas, crop, owed revenue, etc. was issued to each peasant. No one was allowed to charge anything extra.