Early Medival India

EARLY MEDIEVAL INDIA

1. North India:-
• Collapse of Harsha’s reign saw beginning of stable state structures
• In Kashmir, we find 1st time functioning of local system
• In Bengal, emergence of Pala power (760-1142) marked a new phase in political history
• Dharmapala’s long reign enabled him to raise Bengal to the position of leading state in northern India
• He occupied Gangetic Doab & invaded Kanauj, the prime city of northern India. He deposed the Raja & placed his own nominee on the throne
• Palas were thrown out of Doab by Rashtrakutas; & their nominee expelled from Kanauj by Pratiharas (before AD 836)
• Devapala (Dharmapala’s son) annexed Assam & Kalinga
• In 11th century, Pala power reached peak of its glory
• Under Pala patronage, Nalanda became most famous university of the east
• Two other universities, Vikramshila & Oddantpuri were founded by them
• Vikramshila became center of new form of Buddhism, Vajrayana; developed during this time
• Missionaries went to Tibet in 11th century resulting in establishment of Vajrayana Buddhism.
• Palas were also in close contact with Shailendra kings of Srivijaya (Indonesia), who were also Buddhists
• In western India (RJ & GJ) emerged many new ruling families like, Gurjaras, Pratiharas, Chahamanas, Guhilas & different clans of Rajputs
• The Pratiharas established a small kingdom & successfully resisted the Arab invaders (AD 711-715) who had occupied Sind in 8th century
• Around AD 836, Pratiharas conquered Kanauj ruling over it for about two centuries
• Their greatest kings were Mihira Bhoja (840) & Mahendra Pala
• In AD 916, their empire was dealt a shattering blow by Krishna III, the Rashtrakuta ruler of Deccan
• Pratihara king fled. Kanauj was now occupied by Rashtrakuta

2. The Deccan & the South:-
• Pallava rule over Kanchi region had been pushed to north by mountainous tribe called Kalabhras
• Kalabhras were against the brahmanical institutions but were favorably deposed towards Buddhism & Jainism; they put an end to rule of Cheras, the Cholas & the Pandyas of Sangam Age; they were non-agricultural hill tribes, who caused great havoc among settled agricultural population
• Kalabhra threat seems to have extend to borders of Chalukya kingdom which emerged in north Karnataka, this period known as Kalabhra interregnum
• For 300 years after 6th century three major kingdoms were involved in conflict. These were Chalukyas of Badami, the Pallavas of Kanchipuram & the Pandyas of Madurai
• Chalukyas built their kingdom on the remains of Satavahanas, in western Deccan
• Eastern part of Satavahana kingdom – deltas of Krishna & Godavari had been conquered by Ikshavaku dynasty in 3rd century. Their rule ended with their conquest by Pallavas
• The rise of Pallavas began with Simhavishnu; about middle of 6th century. He put an end to Kalabhra interregnum in Kanchi region
• To south of Pallavas / Tamils were the Pandyas of Mdurai who had established their control in region by 6th century after suppressing the Kalabhras. Vengi river was heart land of kingdom
• Pulakesin II (609-642), a contemporary of Harsha, is most famous Chalukya king
• He defeated Harsha on banks of Narmada & Pallava ruler Mahendravarman, wresting Vengi from him in AD 610
• In AD 642, Pallava king, Narasimhavaram, attacked Pulakeshin II captured his capital city Vatapi
• RASHTRAKUTAS (375-973)
• Rose up against Chalukyas under Dantidurga, who set up a large kingdom in Deccan with its capital at Malkhed near Solapur
• Krishna I expanded kingdom but is best remembered in history as builder of Kailasha temple at Ellora
• Amoghvarsha I – royal pratronage to Jain religion
• In AD 973, dynasty exhausted by their warfare, collapsed
• By end of 10th century, Chalukyan though were reduced to a feudatory status, reasserted themselves
• Now known as later Chalukyas. They had their capital at Kalyani in Deccan

3. Administration:-
• A corresponding local autonomy existed
• 3 important territorial assemblies;
• Ur – non brahmanical village assemblies
• Sabha – only brahmana assembly of village
• Nagaram – assembly where mercantile interests predominated & agricultural interests
• Members of assembly used to meet annually
• Day to day tasks were looked after by a smaller executive body
• Sabha managed no. of tasks through committees (Variyam system). E.g. maintenance of tanks, roads, management of charity funds
• In Deccan, in place of corporate institutions, it was local notables called Mahajanas, who took part in local administration
• Mahajan had a leader called gamunda (headman)

4. Art & Architecture:-
• Jain temple of Dilwara at Mt. Abu, Buddhist shrines at Ajanta & Buddhist & Hindu temples at Ellora are most impressive works
• Caves architecture reached its excellence in Kailasha temple at Ellora
• Rock cut temples on island of Elephanta
• Seven rath temple of Mahabalipuram
• Numerous free standing temples at Aihole & Badami

5. The Cholas:-
• Had ruled as chieftains in Tamilnad since AD 1st century
• Mid of 9th century, Vijayalaya (AD 46-870) conquered Tanjore & declared himself ruler
• Parantaka I (AD 906-953) conquered land of Pandyas but was defeated at hands of Rashtrkuta King
• Chola power became solidly established in reign of Rajraji I (AD 985-1014) & of his son & successor Rajendra I (1014-1042)
• Annexationist ambition of Rajendra I turned northwards as far as Rajendra’s overseas campaign against kingdom of Shri Vijaya (southern Malaya peninsula & Sumatra in south east Asia) in order to protect Indian commercial interest in south east Asia & southern China
• ART & ARCHITECTURE
• Dravida style of temple architecture, exclusive to south attained its most magnificent form

6. Economy:-
• Increase in irrigation sources; Keres (tanks) in Karnataka, nadi (river), pushkarini (tanks), srota (water channel) in Bengal and araghatta (wells) in western Rajasthan & vapis (step wells) in Rajasthan & Gujarat
• Salient Features of early medieval Agrarian eco
• Emergence of hierarchical, landed intermediaries
• Peasants suffered curtailments in their lands
• A kind of serfdom emerged, in which agricultural laborers were reduced to position of semi-serfs
• Surplus was extracted through various methods, & the actual tillers were hardly left with anything to trade
• Resulted in growth of closed village economy
• Paucity of actual coins & absence of coin molds in archaeological finds lead us to believe that there was a shrinkage of trade & decline of urban centers
• Detailed instructions to agriculturists can be seen in Brihat Samhita, Agni Purana, Vishnudharmottara Purana, & Krishiparasara
• The Kashypiya-krishisukti, a text which dates back to 8-9th century deals with all aspects of agriculture at length
• Vrikshayarveda – steps to cure diseases of trees
• Gurusamhita & Krishiparasara mentions advanced knowledge of weather conditions
• Shunyapurana mentions more than 50 kinds of paddy were cultivated in Bengal
• Use of compost was known