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SUB-TOPIC INFO – History (UNIT 3)
CONTENT TYPE – Short Notes
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1. Polity and Political Structures in Early Medieval India
1.1. Introduction
1.2. Sources
1.3. Opinions Viewing Indian Polity as Changeless
1.4. Viewing Change in Indian Polity and Search for its Reasons
1.5. Viewing Change in Polity Through Change in Religious Identity of Rulers
1.6. Feudal Polity
1.7. Integrative Polity
1.8. Segmentary State Model
1.9. Samantas and the Scheme of Ranking
2. Administration in Early Medieval India
3. Legitimation of Kingship
3.1. Introduction
3.2. Concept of Legitimation of Kingship
3.2.1. Role of the Brahmins
3.2.2. Coronation of the Kings
3.2.3. Distribution of Concentrated Surplus
3.2.4. Samantisation of the Regional Kingdoms
3.2.5. Upholding the Democratic Values
3.2.6. Adoption of Indo-Aryan Languages
3.2.7. Realignment of Society
3.2.8. Role of Tribal Deities
3.2.9. Construction of Royal Hindu Temples
3.2.10. King and Royal Ritual
3.2.11. Matrimonial Alliances
3.3. Role of Brahmanas
3.3.1. Growing Rigidity for Brahmins
3.3.2. Changing Social Order
3.3.3. Establishments of Brahmin Colonies
3.3.4. Royal Patronization of Brahminism
3.3.5. Emergence of Shudras
3.3.6. Absence of Intermediary Varnas
3.3.7. Rise of a New Literate Class
3.3.8. Reduced Positions of Brahmanas
3.4. Growth and Importance of Temples
3.4.1. Growth of Temple Cites
3.4.2. Major Styles of Indian Temples
3.4.3. Presiding Deities
3.5. Conclusion
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Characteristics of Early Medieval India
UGC NET HISTORY (UNIT 3)
Polity and Political Structures in Early Medieval India
Introduction
The concept of the Early Medieval period (6th to 12th/13th century CE) as a distinct phase in Indian history was introduced in the 1960s.
Initially, this period was viewed as entirely different from the preceding Early Historic phase.
This sparked lively discussions among historians about the nature of polity, economy, and culture during these two phases of Indian history.
There are wide divergences of opinion regarding this period, particularly about the characteristics of polity and culture.
It was clear, however, that monarchy dominated the types of polity in different parts of India during the Early Medieval period.
Regional dimension was another significant aspect in understanding the polity and culture of this period.
Earlier, the period between the rule of two major powers was often viewed as one of decline and degeneration.
From this viewpoint, the Early Medieval period was seen as a transition between the decline of the Gupta empire in the 6th century and the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate in the 13th century.
The absence of vast territorial empires was the main reason why some historians regarded this period as a dark period in Indian history.
Sources
The study of early medieval polity is primarily based on the vast collection of inscriptions from the numerous ruling dynasties of the period.
These inscriptions contain theories of origin, long genealogies, and inflated records of the kings’ activities.
Literary sources also provide insights, including Smriti texts like the Sukranitisara and the Nitisara of Kamandaka.
Other works such as Charita kavyas (biographies), Kavyas, and other secular texts also shed light on the polity and administration in different kingdoms.
Opinions Viewing Indian Polity as Changeless
Polity in pre-modern India is characterized in two ways: as ‘traditional’ or ‘Oriental Despotic’.
The ‘traditional’ view sees political ideas and structures in different periods of Indian history through the lens of a model of pre-state polity.
The model of the ‘segmentary state’ was created by A. Southall based on his study of pre-state polity in East Africa and applied in India.
The ‘segmentary state’ model was used by J.C. Heesterman in relation to the mandala theory, by Burton Stein for South Indian polity from the Chola period onwards, and by R.G. Fox for the organization of Rajput clans in U.P. during the late Mughal period.
‘Oriental despotism’ characterizes changeless polity and society.
K.A. Wittfogel argued that varying forms of semi-complex hydraulic property and society prevailed in India from the beginning of written history to the 19th century.
These views highlight the changelessness of Indian polity in the pre-modern period.
The time frame of the Early Medieval period is not clearly demarcated in these theories.