Match List-I with List-II:

(A) Mahals                                     (I) Territorial unit

(B) Pahariyas and Santhals     (II) Permanent Settlement

(C) 1793                                          (III) Rajmahal hills

(D) Taluq                                         (IV) Estatee  

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct option is (A) - (IV), (B) - (III), (C) - (II), (D) - (I).

Let us break down the logical mapping between the terms in List-I and List-II step-by-step to understand why this option is correct:

1. Mapping (A) Mahals to (IV) Estate:
In the context of the revenue administration systems of British India (particularly the Mahalwari system), the term "Mahal" refers to a fiscal or revenue estate. A Mahal could consist of a single village or a group of villages that were treated as a single unit for the assessment and payment of land revenue. Thus, (A) matches with (IV).

2. Mapping (B) Pahariyas and Santhals to (III) Rajmahal hills:
The Pahariyas and Santhals were tribal communities living in and around the Rajmahal hills (located in present-day Jharkhand). The British attempts to clear forests and settle agriculture in this region led to significant historical conflicts and interactions involving both the hill-dwelling Pahariyas and the migrating Santhals. Thus, (B) matches with (III).

3. Mapping (C) 1793 to (II) Permanent Settlement:
The Permanent Settlement (also known as the Permanent Settlement of Bengal) was introduced by the Governor-General Lord Cornwallis in the year 1793. This act established a fixed land revenue system and recognized Zamindars as the proprietors of the land. Thus, (C) matches with (II).

4. Mapping (D) Taluq to (I) Territorial unit:
The term "Taluq" (or Taluka) refers to a traditional administrative subdivision or a territorial unit composed of several villages under a central authority or a landholder (Taluqdar). Thus, (D) matches with (I).

Combining all the correct associations, we get:
(A) ➔ (IV)
(B) ➔ (III)
(C) ➔ (II)
(D) ➔ (I)