Question 11 of 20intermediate🔧 ApplyShort Answer2 marks

Have you noticed the term pati in titles like 'Gajapati'? Pati means 'lord' or 'master' and was commonly used by many ruling dynasties of this period to signify power and stature. The Vijayanagara kings were called 'Narapati', the Bahmani Sultanate rulers 'Ashwapati', and the Maratha rulers 'Chhatrapati' — each title reflecting different aspects of kingship and power. Can you guess what these three terms might mean?

Correct Answer

The three terms can be interpreted as follows:

'Narapati' combines 'nara' (meaning 'men' or 'people') with 'pati' (meaning 'lord' or 'master'), so Narapati would mean 'Lord of Men' or 'Master of People', indicating the Vijayanagara kings' authority over their subjects.

'Ashwapati' combines 'ashwa' (meaning 'horse') with 'pati', so Ashwapati would mean 'Lord of Horses', reflecting the Bahmani Sultanate's emphasis on cavalry and horse warfare.

'Chhatrapati' combines 'chhatra' (meaning 'umbrella' or 'parasol', a symbol of sovereignty and protection) with 'pati', so Chhatrapati would mean 'Lord of the Umbrella' or 'Sovereign Ruler', signifying supreme authority and the duty to protect subjects.

Each title thus reflected the specific nature of power and the values associated with that particular dynasty.

Exercise: THINK ABOUT IT | Q: 5 | (Page Page 12)
For More Understanding

Explanation

The chapter explains that 'pati' means 'lord' or 'master' and was commonly used by ruling dynasties to signify power and stature. The Gajapati rulers of Odisha, the Vijayanagara kings (Narapati), the Bahmani Sultanate rulers (Ashwapati), and the Maratha rulers (Chhatrapati) all used titles incorporating this term. This question encourages students to analyze the meaning behind royal titles.

Solution Steps

  1. Narapati combines 'nara' (men/people) with 'pati' (lord), meaning 'Lord of Men' — indicating authority over subjects

  2. Ashwapati combines 'ashwa' (horse) with 'pati', meaning 'Lord of Horses' — reflecting emphasis on cavalry warfare

  3. Chhatrapati combines 'chhatra' (umbrella/parasol) with 'pati', meaning 'Lord of the Umbrella' — signifying supreme authority and protection

  4. Each title reflected the specific nature of power and values of that particular dynasty

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