Khel system
Topic: Regional Resistance: Rajputs, Ahoms, Sikhs · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The khel system was the way the Ahom state of Assam organised its paiks. Paiks were able-bodied men who owed the state work or military service in return for land. They were grouped into units called khels, and each khel was given a particular job. Officers were named by how many paiks they led: a Bora led 20, a Saikia 100, a Hazarika 1,000, a Rajkhowa 3,000 and a Phukan 6,000. This let the Ahoms build roads and embankments and raise a large army without keeping a permanent one.
Example
Within a khel, paiks were also grouped in small sets called gots. One man from each got served the state at a time while the others farmed his land. The title of the Ahom commander Lachit Borphukan, who won at Saraighat in 1671, comes from this chain of ranks.
Don't confuse with
- Mansabdari system: the Mughal system that gave nobles ranks and paid them to keep soldiers. The khel system called on ordinary men to serve in turn, in return for land.