The World Health Organization (WHO), a specialized agency of the UN responsible for international public health, is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
11552
In the Maratha administration, the **Peshwa** was the equivalent of the modern-day:
The Peshwa was the most important minister in Shivaji's *Ashta Pradhan* and was the Chief Executive and Prime Minister of the state. Over time, the Peshwas became the de facto rulers of the Maratha Empire, holding the most significant administrative power.
11553
What title was given to the most prominent financial minister, or Prime Minister, of the Delhi Sultanate who oversaw the Revenue Department (*Diwan-i-Wizarat*)?
The **Wazir** (Vizier) was the chief minister, heading the Diwan-i-Wizarat (Revenue and Finance Department). The Wazir held the highest position among the ministers and was generally responsible for the entire administration and fiscal management of the Sultanate.
11554
The **Ashta Pradhan** (Council of Eight Ministers) was the highly structured administrative system of which medieval Maratha ruler?
Shivaji (1630–1680), the founder of the Maratha Empire, established the Ashta Pradhan Mandal—a system of eight ministers that provided counsel and managed various state affairs. Each minister was responsible for a specific portfolio, ensuring an efficient central administration.
11555
What Mughal practice, involving the Emperor appearing on a balcony to greet the public, was banned by Aurangzeb as un-Islamic?
Jharokha Darshan was a daily practice where the Mughal Emperor would appear on a balcony (*jharokha*) to be viewed by the public. Aurangzeb banned it, along with other practices like the celebration of the Persian festival of Nauroz, citing them as un-Islamic or forms of human worship.
11556
In the administrative system of the Chola Empire (an early medieval South Indian dynasty), the lowest unit of administration was the:
The Chola administration was highly decentralized at the local level. The empire was divided into *Mandalams*, which were subdivided into *Valanadus*, which in turn comprised the *Nadus*. The *Kurram* (a union of villages) or the individual village (*Ur*) was the lowest functional administrative unit.
11557
In the administration of the Vijayanagara Empire, what was the term for the revenue assignment granted to military chiefs in exchange for their service and maintenance of troops?
The *Amara-Nayaka* system was the military-feudal structure of the Vijayanagara Empire. The **Amara** was the territorial assignment (a grant of revenue) given to the military chief, or *Nayaka*, in return for maintaining troops and horses for the King, similar to the Mughal *Jagir* system.
11558
The **Nika Riots** of 532 AD, which threatened to overthrow Emperor Justinian I, were sparked by which groups in Constantinople?
The Nika Riots were massive and violent uprisings in Constantinople starting at the Hippodrome. They were initially protests by the two main chariot racing factions, the Blues and the Greens, against Justinian's administration, but quickly turned into a political revolt to depose him.
11559
The capital city of the Bahmani Sultanate, known for its strong defense and the famous *Madrasa* (Islamic college) of Mahmud Gawan, was originally located at:
The Bahmani Kingdom was founded in 1347 AD with Gulbarga (renamed Ahsanabad) as its capital. The capital was later shifted to Bidar. Gulbarga served as the center of the early Bahmani administration and culture for over 50 years.
11560
In the context of the Mughal administration, a **'Jagirdar'** was a person who was granted a *jagir* (a revenue assignment in lieu of a cash salary). What was he *not* allowed to do?
A Jagirdar was an assignee of land revenue, not the owner of the land. The *jagir* was a temporary assignment, theoretically transferable every few years to prevent the Jagirdars from becoming permanent, hereditary rulers of the assigned territory.
