Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the 'Hundi' generally referred to in the sources of the post-Harsha period ?

This source poses a multiple-choice question asking which phrase defines the nature of 'Hundi' in post-Harsha sources and explicitly lists 'a bill of exchange' as an option contrasted with 'an advisory issued by the king'.

A student could take this classification clue and check contemporaneous economic/merchant records or standard histories to see if 'Hundi' is treated as a financial instrument rather than a royal advisory.

Describes a ministerial/council system (Mantri Parishad) where advice and advisories were part of polity, indicating that 'advisory' was a recognized administrative concept in the period.

A student could compare the kinds of documents produced by councils/ministers (edicts, orders, advisories) with references to 'Hundi' in epigraphic or literary sources to see if 'Hundi' matches those administrative genres.

Gives an example where magnates and ministers advised political action (inviting Harsha), showing 'advice' as a political mechanism and a possible semantic category for some documents.

One could use this example to ask whether 'Hundi' appears in contexts of political counsel or instead in commercial/financial contexts (supporting or refuting the 'advisory' reading).

This exam-style item lists possible definitions of 'Hundi' for the post-Harsha period and explicitly includes 'a diary to be maintained for daily accounts' as one option alongside 'a bill of exchange'.

A student could treat this as evidence that 'Hundi' has contested or clarified definitions in secondary sources and then consult primary/post‑Harsha documents or standard economic histories to see which option is supported.

Defines 'Hundi' as a financial instrument (bill of exchange) used in medieval Indian trade and credit, offering a clear alternative to the 'diary' definition.

A student could use this standard definition plus knowledge of medieval trade networks to infer whether 'diary' is plausible, then check primary records or epigraphical references for usage contexts.

Contains a multiple-choice question that lists possible definitions of 'Hundi' for the post-Harsha period, explicitly including 'a bill of exchange' and 'an order from the feudal lord to his subordinates'.

A student could combine this with external knowledge of medieval Indian economic terms to check which option is accepted in scholarly/primary-source usage.

States that the period after the Guptas and before Vardhanas had many independent sub-regional kingdoms and lacked a strong central power.

Use this political-fragmentation context to assess whether feudal orders (like a lord's written 'order') were common or whether commercial instruments might be more plausible.

Notes Harsha's rule over a large region and the rise of regional power under him, indicating overlapping suzerainty and subordinate relationships in the era.

Combine with basic facts about administrative practices under overlords to judge whether a term like 'hundi' could denote an overlord's order to subordinates versus a commercial instrument used across regions.

Describes conquest and integration of smaller kingdoms into Harsha's realm and mentions magnates and ministers advising elevation — illustrating lord-vassal dynamics.

A student could consider whether such magnate–vassal relations produced documentary orders termed 'hundi' or whether other documentary forms were used.

Hieun Tsang's account of law, order and administrative practices suggests formal mechanisms and records existed in the period.

Combine this with knowledge of documentary/financial practices to see if 'hundi' fits better as an administrative/feudal order or as a financial instrument circulating under such administrative order.