📘 Glossary of Key History & Culture Terms for UPSC
1. Puncai
Definition: Land used for dry farming.
2. Nancai
Definition: Fields suited for wet irrigation.
3. Tottakal
Definition: Garden lands or orchards.
4. Cuddapah-kar
Definition: Seasonal agricultural cultivation.
5. Theris
Definition: Senior Buddhist nuns respected for their spiritual authority.
6. Dadni system
Definition: Advance payment or loans given to officials.
7. Manigramam and Nanadesi
Definition: Prominent merchant guilds in ancient India.
8. Tolkappiyam
Definition: One of the earliest known Tamil grammar texts.
9. Munjaniq
Definition: Early forms of cannons or mechanical artillery.
10. Bandagan-i-khas
Definition: Royal slaves or elite personal servants of kings.
11. Ibadat khanas
Definition: Halls established for religious discussions among different faiths.
12. Ahadis
Definition: Elite cavalrymen in the Mughal military structure.
13. Mauza
Definition: A revenue collection unit within a pargana or administrative district.
14. Vishti
Definition: Forced or unpaid labour extracted from common people.
15. Sant Bhasha
Definition: The common language used by Nirguna saints to spread their teachings.
16. Bhumisparsha mudra
Definition: The gesture in which Buddha called the Earth to witness his enlightenment.
17. Shreni
Definition: Guilds or associations of traders and artisans.
18. Nirvana
Definition: Liberation from the cycle of desire and rebirth.
19. Mahattara and Pattakila
Definition: Titles given to village headmen or leaders.
20. Siddhas (Sittars)
Definition: Monotheistic mystics in Tamil regions who rejected idol worship.
21. Banjaras
Definition: Nomadic traders or transporters of goods.
22. Eripatti
Definition: Land revenue allocated for the maintenance of village tanks.
23. Taniyurs
Definition: Large villages that also functioned as distinct revenue units under the Chola administration.
24. Ghatika
Definition: A small religious or educational institution.
25. Agrahatta
Definition: A traditional water wheel used for irrigating agricultural lands.
26. Maitreya
Definition: The future Buddha, who is expected to come and guide the world.
27. Aurang
Definition: A warehouse or storage place.
28. Banian
Definition: Indian agents or intermediaries of the East India Company.
29. Mirasidar
Definition: A person designated to pay land revenue to the state.
30. Hundi
Definition: A traditional financial instrument, similar to a bill of exchange.
31. Paramitas
Definition: Perfections or virtues that lead a person on the Bodhisattva path.
32. Parivrajaka
Definition: A wandering monk or renunciant.
33. Upasaka
Definition: A lay follower who supports and practices Buddhism without being ordained.
34. Shrama
Definition: An ascetic or seeker engaged in self-discipline and austerity.
35. Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla, Kshemeshwara
Definition: Renowned ancient Indian playwrights.
36. Fanam
Definition: A type of small coin used in historical South India.
History and Culture Terms for UPSC
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Visual chart of cultural terms for UPSC
