Ancient Indian History is not just a sequence of dynasties and dates; it is a rich vocabulary of political, administrative, economic and religious terminologies that UPSC consistently tests. Given this consistent trend, a strong command over important terms in Ancient Indian History is essential for scoring high in UPSC Prelims and enriching analytical answers in Mains.Â
This article provides a comprehensive compilation of Important terms in Ancient Indian History frequently asked in UPSC.
| Important Terms in Ancient Indian History | |
| Important Terms in Ancient History | Meaning of Important Terms in Ancient History |
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Gojit |
Winner of Cows |
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Gavisthi |
War for Cows |
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Govikartana |
Forest Chief |
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Gavyuti |
Measure of distance |
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Godhuli |
Measure of time |
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Duhitri |
Daughter |
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Sangrihitri |
Treasurer |
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Vrihi |
Rice |
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Godhuma |
Wheat |
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Spasa |
Spy |
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Panis |
Traders |
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Varthaka |
Merchant class |
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Bhagadugha |
Tax Collector |
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Palgala |
Messenger |
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Akshvapa |
Accountant |
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Niyoga |
Special type of widow marriage |
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Aranyakas |
Vedic texts composed by hermits |
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Rajan |
king |
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Gramini |
Head of Village |
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Kula |
Clan |
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Amatya |
Minister |
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Sannidhata |
Treasurer and keeper of stores |
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Samharta |
Chief Revenue Collector |
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Rajuka |
Responsible for surveying and assessing land |
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Sitadhyaksha |
Superintendent of Agriculture |
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Navadhyaksha |
Superintendent of Ports |
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Samshadhyaksha |
Supervisor of Markets |
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Sulkadhyaksha |
Toll Collector |
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Pautavadhyaksha |
Superintendent of weight and measures |
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Pradesika |
Police officers |
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Gopa |
Accountant |
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Guddhapurushas |
Spies |
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Yuktas |
Subordinate revenue officer |
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Dharmasthiyas |
Civil Courts |
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Kantakshodhanas |
Criminal Courts |
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Srenis |
Guild |
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Prashasti |
Prison Head |
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Padadhyaksha |
Superintendent of the infantry (foot soldiers) in the Mauryan military administration. |
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Rupadarshaka |
Inspector of coins |
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Karamkaras |
Wage Labour |
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Pranaya |
Emergency tax |
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Bali |
Tax paid by villages, farmers, or subordinate rulers to the state, in cash or kind, to support the empire. |
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Agranomoi |
Officials collecting land tax and managing land‑related matters such as land measurement, agricultural oversight, and rural administration. |
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Sugata |
The well gone or one who has attained Nirvana. Buddha is called Sugata. |
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Tathagata |
The one who has realized the ultimate truth. Buddha is called Tathagata. |
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Arhat |
Victor / One who has attained Nirvana |
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Bodhisattva |
A compassionate being who works for the enlightenment of all before attaining final Nirvana. |
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Parivrajaka |
A wandering monk or ascetic who renounces worldly life in search of spiritual truth. |
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Upasika |
Lay follower of Buddhism |
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Thirthankar |
Jain spiritual teacher who shows the path to liberation from worldly suffering. |
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Aparigraha |
Non-possession / Non-attachment |
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Asteya |
Non-stealing |
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Sallekhan |
Ritual fasting unto death in Jain tradition |
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Kevalya |
Complete spiritual liberation (in Jainism) |
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Nigrantha |
Free from all bonds |
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Shravaka |
Lay follower of Jainism |
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Bhaga |
Share of agricultural produce paid as land revenue (usually 1/6th) |
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Hiranya |
Tax paid in cash instead of produce |
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Sulka |
Customs duty or toll on trade and goods |
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Saulkika |
Collector of customs and tolls |
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Halivakara |
Tax levied on ploughs or agricultural land |
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Klipta |
Fixed or assessed tax on land or produce |
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Bhukti |
Provinces |
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Pradesha / Adhisthana |
Districts |
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Kutumbis and Mahattaras |
Village level officers |
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Kumaramatya |
High-ranking royal officer; often held important administrative or military posts. |
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Mahadandanayaka |
Chief judicial or military officer; sometimes head of the army or justice system |
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Dandanayaka |
Officer responsible for law and order or military duties |
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Mahasenapati |
Commander-in-chief of the army. |
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Ayuktaka |
Subordinate administrative officer at the district or local level |
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Vishayapati |
Head of a Vishaya (district); main district administrator |
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Uparika |
Provincial governor; in charge of a Bhukti (province). |
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Mahabaladhikrita |
High military officer, often in charge of troops. |
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Dandapasika |
Police or law-enforcement officer. |
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Dronvapa |
A measure of land area in the Gupta period; the amount of land that could be sown with one drona of seeds. |
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Kulyavapa |
A larger land measurement unit; the area of land that could be sown with one kulya of seeds. |
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Ayuktaka |
A royal executive officer in the Gupta administration responsible for implementing orders and managing revenue at the local level. |
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Mahapratihara |
Chief of palace guards |
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Pratihara |
A royal official who served as a doorkeeper or chamberlain in the Gupta court, controlling access to the king. |
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Dutaka |
Executor and notifier of land grant |
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Brahmadeya |
Religious grants to brahmans during Guptas |
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Devdana or Devagrahara |
Grants to institutions such as temples and monasteries |
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Akshapataladhikrita |
Keeper of royal records |
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Nagarasreshthin |
Chairman of city corporations in towns |
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Sarthvah |
Represents trading community |
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Mahasandhivigrahika |
Minister responsible for war, peace and foreign relations |
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Dutakas |
Spies |
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Nishka |
Gold coin |
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Rupaka |
Silver coin |
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Kakini, Kasharpan |
Copper coins |
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Khil |
Infertile land |
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Aprabata |
Forested land |
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Bedakbhog |
Irrigation tax |
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Udakabhag |
Water Tax |
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Uparnik |
Tax from border areas |
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Charasana |
Grazing tax |
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Chat |
Security tax |
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Bhatta |
Police tax |
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Bhog |
King's share of produce |
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Prataya |
Toll tax |
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Sangam |
An assembly of poets, scholars and literary figures |
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Kizhar |
A respected elder or headman of a village, usually a wealthy landowner belonging to the Velalar (agricultural) community. |
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Velir |
Regional chieftains ruling hilly and forest areas |
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Vendar |
The crowned kings who ruled the fertile river valleys and core agricultural regions (Marudam land) of Tamilakam, especially the major dynasties — Chera, Chola, and Pandya. |
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Amaichar |
Minister |
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Senathipathi |
Army chief |
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Anthanar |
Priest |
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Thuthar |
Messenger or envoy, sent to convey royal messages or conduct diplomacy. |
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Otrar |
Spy |
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Karai |
Land tax |
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Ulgu |
Customs |
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Irai |
Tax or tribute paid to the king. |
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Variyar |
Tax Collector |
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Vellalar |
Agriculturists |
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Vanigar |
Traders |
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Kadaisiyar / Adimai |
Labourers |
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Aniars |
Hunters |
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Malvar |
Thieves |
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Ur |
Village |
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Nadu |
Group of villages |
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Panam |
Coin / money |
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Pon |
Gold coin |
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Pattinam |
Port Town |
Important Terms in Ancient Indian History FAQs
Q1: Who was Rajan?
Ans: King or ruler in ancient India.
Q2: What was Rajuka or Ayuktaka?
Ans: Rajuka was a Land surveyor and assessor and Ayuktaka was a Local administrative officer.
Q3: What is Bhaga, Hiranya, and Bali?
Ans: Bhaga: Share of produce paid as tax, Hiranya: Cash tax, Bali: Tax from villages or farmers.
Q4: What are Dronvapa and Kulyavapa?
Ans: They are land measurement units. Dronvapa means land sown with one drona of seed and Kulyavapa means land sown with one kulya of seed.
Q5: What is Brahmadeya?
Ans: Religious grants given to Brahmins.