The term "samantas" refers to who among the following?

1) Religious leaders who had political powers
2) Local farmers and peasants who did not obey the kings
3) Traders and merchants who did not pay taxes
4) Powerful men who maintained themselves through local resources, including land control

Choose the correct answer from the given options:

4

The correct answer is Option 4 - 4

1) Religious leaders who had political powers
2) Local farmers and peasants who did not obey the kings
3) Traders and merchants who did not pay taxes
4) Powerful men who maintained themselves through local resources, including land control

By the fourth century, there is evidence of larger states, including the Gupta Empire. Many of these depended on samantas, men who maintained themselves through local resources including control over land. They offered homage and provided military support to rulers. Powerful samantas could become kings: conversely, weak rulers might find themselves being reduced to positions of subordination.