Which among the following statements regarding the Gupta dynasty is/are correct? 1. The Kumaramatyas were the most important officers and they were appointed directly by the King in the home provinces. 2. The village headmen lost importance and land transactions began to be effected without their consent. Select the correct answer using the code given below : Code :

The Gupta administration was characterized by a mix of centralized and decentralized features. The Kumaramatyas were the most significant class of high-ranking officials, serving as princely ministers and personal staff to the emperor [2]. They were directly appointed by the king in the home provinces and often received payment in cash. While the empire was divided into provinces (bhuktis) and districts (vishayas), the Kumaramatyas acted as a vital link between the center and the provinces. Regarding village administration, the village headman (Gramika) actually gained importance during the Gupta period. Contrary to losing power, the headman managed local affairs with the assistance of village elders, and land transactions could not be legally finalized without the consent of these local elements and record keepers. Therefore, statement 1 is correct, while statement 2 is incorrect.

Sources

1. [1] https://www.bccollegeasansol.ac.in/download.php?id=144
2. [2] https://www.cbc.gov.in/cbcdev/gupta/gupta-story.html