Q. Which one of the following regions is known for the earliest evidence of subinfeudation of land, as recorded in an inscription from AD 397?
Answer:
Indore
Notes: The earliest epigraphic evidence of subinfeudation of land comes from Indore, where an inscription dating back to AD 397 records the consent of a feudatory chief without royal consent. This indicates the beginning of a process where land was granted to local chiefs or warriors, marking a shift in authority from centralized state control to more localized power structures. This practice became more common in the Gupta period, especially in regions that were less exposed to commerce and monetary transactions, highlighting the evolution of feudalism in ancient India.