The primary duty of Samantas towards the King was to

Correct option is B

The Samantas were feudal lords or vassals in ancient and medieval Indian kingdoms who held land
granted by the king. In return for the land and privileges they enjoyed, their primary duty was to provide
military support to the king when needed. The Samantas were responsible for maintaining a contingent
of soldiers and assisting the king in his military campaigns. This military obligation was crucial, as the
kings often relied on the support of their Samantas to defend the kingdom from external threats or to
expand their territory.
In addition to military support, Samantas were sometimes required to perform other duties, such as
being present in the royal court on ceremonial occasions, paying tribute, and helping maintain law and
order in their territories. However, the most critical aspect of their relationship with the king was their
role as military commanders.
Information Booster:
· The Samanta system was a feudal arrangement where land was granted in exchange for military service.
· Samantas were expected to maintain armed forces and supply them to the king during wars or military expeditions.
· Over time, some powerful Samantas became semi-independent and established their own kingdoms.
· The Samantas played a key role in the decentralized political structure of ancient and medieval India.
· The Samanta system helped ensure that kings had a reliable source of military support without directly maintaining large standing armies.
Additional Knowledge:
· While Samantas may have paid tribute or taxes, their primary obligation was military service.
· Presence in the court was secondary to their military responsibilities.
· Samantas were primarily military and administrative figures, not entertainers for the king.