📘 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 Visual chart of cultural terms for UPSC
