Vol Iii Medieval Indian Society And Culture

A collection of essays on cultural history of medieval India.

Cultural History Of Medieval India Is A Part Of The Series, Readings In History. The Books In This Series Have Been Edited And Put Together By Eminent Historians For Their Students. This Anthology Of Readings Seeks To Explore Indian Culture In The Medieval Period Through Five Themes: Kingship Traditions, Social Processes Of Religious Devotion, Inter-Cultural Perception, Forms Of Identities, And Aesthetics. Written By Well-Known Scholars, The Eleven Essays In This Book Present Sub-Cultures In Diverse Regional Settings Of The Subcontinent. The Articles Suggest That Culture Does Not Exist As Fragments Of The Great And Little , Or Classic And Folk In Any Given Tradition. In Fact, Variants Within A Given Tradition Interact With One Another And Assimilate New Characteristics Over Time. These Interactions Also Take Place Across Boundaries Of Different Religious And Cultural Spheres, And In The Process, Give Meaning To The Notions Of The 'Self' And The 'Other'. In An Attempt To Define The 'Other' One Discovers The 'Self'. These Readings Introduce A New Way Of Understanding Medieval Indian History By Engaging With Interdisciplinary Methods Of Research On Issues That Are Significant To Everyday Existence In A Plural Society Like That Of India. This Book Will Be Of Great Value To Students Of History, As Well As To Other Readers Interested In The Culture Of The Medieval Period In India.

This book is primarily meant for the general public and the students, who desire to understand the history and culture of their country. Though a general work encompassing historical, cultural, economic, political and administrative features, the book is none the less authentic and authoritative. A Comprehensive History of India is the product of a joint venture undertaken by a group of historians who do not go by conformist views but by critical, objective and analytical assessment of events and developments in accordance with the methodical discipline of scientific research.

An analytical and critical account of the political history of early modern India from 1707 to 1813. The narrative shatters the contention of contemporary European writers that it was 'the dark age' of Indian history, characterised by 'political anarchy and misgovernment', until the British brought it under their sway. The main thesis of the author is that the period was marked by two distinct phases; the first phase, which lasted from 1707 to 1760, saw the rapid disintegration of the Mughal power and its replacement by the Maratha hegemony. Meanwhile, the English traders turned colonialists, after consolidating their hold along the Indian seacoasts and conquest of 'Carnatic' and Bengal, challenged the Maratha hegemony. The second phase of developments was thus marked by the struggle for supremacy between these two powers. The author makes use of contemporary English and Marathi sources and the intensive researches of modern historians to portray a compact picture of their findings in the form of a text book for the benefit of the degree students. Historical facts are reinterpreted through illuminating expositions, refreshing characterisation of historic personalities, and objective assessment of events and movements. Together with maps, a select bibliography, glossary and an elaborate index, the volume makes a rich contribution to the advancement of modern historical literature.

This book is primarily meant for the general public and students, who desire to understand the history and culture of India. It is the product of a joint venture undertaken by a group of historians who do not go by conformist views but by critical, objective and analytical assessment of events and developments in accordance with the methodical discipline of scientific research.