Option a is the correct answer. Statement 1 is correct: Sher Shah divided his empire into administrative units called Sarkars, which were further divided into Parganas. This administrative division helped in effective governance and revenue collection. Statement 2 is incorrect: While Sher Shah implemented a systematic administrative structure with Sarkars and Parganas, he did rely on officials to assist in the administration of these units. The Sarkars and Parganas were not directly administered solely by Sher Shah himself. The chief officials of a sarkar were the shiqdar (military officer), the amin (revenue officer), the fotedar (treasurer), and the karkuns (accountants) Important Tips About Sher Shah Suri: Sher Shah Suri was a ruler in medieval India who established the Sur dynasty and ruled from 1540 to 1545. He implemented administrative reforms, including dividing his empire into Sarkars and Parganas for effective governance. He improved road connectivity by constructing the Grand Trunk Road, and established a postal system for efficient communication. Sher Shah introduced standardized coins and achieved military victories against the Mughal Empire.