Question

Arrange the following lands mentioned in Amarkoşa in a sequence of fertile, fallow, muddy and sandy land-
(A) Sharkarāvati
(B) Ūrvara
(C) Aprahata
(D) Pankikala
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (A), (B), (C), (D)
• B. (B), (A), (C), (D)
• C. (B), (C), (D), (A)
• D. (C), (B), (D), (A)

Hint:

In questions involving ancient terminology, try to break down the words to understand their root meaning. For example, 'panka' in Pankikala means mud, and 'sharkara' in Sharkarāvati means gravel, which can lead you to the correct definitions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Conceptual Understanding
This question requires familiarity with Sanskrit terms for land types as classified in the Amarakosha. The objective is to order these terms as: fertile, fallow, muddy, and sandy.

Step 2: Term Definitions
The meanings of each term are as follows:
(A) Sharkarāvati: Sandy or gravelly land (derived from 'sharkara', meaning gravel/sugar).
(B) Ūrvara: Fertile, crop-producing land.
(C) Aprahata: Uncultivated, wasteland, or fallow land.
(D) Pankikala: Muddy, swampy, or marshy land (derived from 'panka', meaning mud).

Step 3: Sequential Arrangement
The required sequence is: fertile, fallow, muddy, and sandy.
1. Fertile land: Ūrvara (B).
2. Fallow land: Aprahata (C).
3. Muddy land: Pankikala (D).
4. Sandy land: Sharkarāvati (A).
The correct code sequence is (B), (C), (D), (A).

Step 4: Conclusion
The correct sequence based on the definitions is (B), (C), (D), (A), corresponding to option (C).