Read the following passage and answer the questions given The political history of the early medieval period saw the proliferation of states and land grants. Land grants to Brahmans played a significant role in the legitimation of political power and had a significant impact on agrarian relations. There was an agrarian expansion in various parts of the subcontinent and rural societies became increasingly stratified. This was not a period of urban decay. This is most evident from South India where, crafts, cities, trade and trade guilds flourished. Trade links between the subcontinent, China and South-East Asia expanded significantly. Devotional worship was a marked feature of religious thought and practice. Temples functioned not only as sacred spaces but also as the core of urban centres and as political symbols. The patronage they attracted made them points of convergence of the activities and aspirations of diverse social groups. Significant development occurred in the cultural sphere including a range of texts in Sanskrit and vernacular languages. There were an efflorescence and refinement of temple architecture and sculpture, and distinct regional styles became apparent. During c. 600-1200 CE, the developments at the political, social, economic and cultural levels crystallized into distinct regional formations and patterns.
The term 'early medieval' referred to here is indicated to have began around
600 CE
Understanding the Early Medieval Period in India
The question asks about the starting point of the 'early medieval' period as referred to in the provided passage. We need to carefully read the passage to find the specific time frame mentioned.
The passage describes various developments that occurred during the early medieval period in the subcontinent. It mentions the proliferation of states, land grants, agrarian expansion, urban centres flourishing (especially in South India), trade links expanding, devotional worship, the role of temples, and cultural developments in literature and architecture.
Towards the end, the passage explicitly states the time period during which these developments crystallized:
During c. 600-1200 CE, the developments at the political, social, economic and cultural levels crystallized into distinct regional formations and patterns.
This sentence clearly indicates that the period from approximately 600 CE to 1200 CE is being discussed as the timeframe when the characteristics of the early medieval period became distinct regional patterns. Therefore, according to the passage, the early medieval period is indicated to have begun around 600 CE.
Let's look at the options provided:
- 1206 CE
- 12th century
- 11th century
- 600 CE
Comparing the options with the information from the passage, the starting point indicated is around 600 CE. Option 4 matches this directly.
Thus, based on the provided text, the term 'early medieval' referred to here is indicated to have begun around 600 CE.
Revision Table: Key Aspects of Early Medieval India (c. 600-1200 CE) based on the Passage
| Aspect | Description according to the passage |
|---|---|
| Political | Proliferation of states, land grants (especially to Brahmans) playing a role in legitimation of power. |
| Social | Significant impact on agrarian relations, increasingly stratified rural societies. |
| Economic | Agrarian expansion, crafts, cities, trade, and trade guilds flourished (evident in South India), expansion of trade links (subcontinent, China, South-East Asia). Not a period of urban decay. |
| Religious | Marked feature of devotional worship, temples as sacred spaces, core of urban centres, and political symbols, convergence points due to patronage. |
| Cultural | Development of texts (Sanskrit and vernacular), efflorescence and refinement of temple architecture and sculpture, distinct regional styles. |
Additional Information on Early Medieval Indian History
The period from roughly 600 CE to 1200 CE is conventionally referred to as the Early Medieval Period in Indian history. This era is characterized by several significant developments that shaped the future course of the subcontinent.
- Political Decentralization: While large empires like the Guptas declined, the period saw the rise of numerous regional kingdoms across India, such as the Rajputs in North India, the Palas in Bengal, the Rashtrakutas and later the Cholas in the Deccan and South India.
- Feudal Tendencies: The system of land grants, particularly to Brahmans and temples (Brahmanical and Devadana grants), and military personnel, led to the rise of intermediaries with administrative and economic rights over land. This is sometimes termed 'Indian feudalism', though debated by historians. These grants influenced agrarian structure and stratification.
- Agrarian Economy: Agriculture remained the backbone of the economy, with expansion into new areas. Land grants often aimed at bringing new land under cultivation or increasing production in existing areas.
- Urban Centres and Trade: Contrary to older views, recent scholarship, supported by this passage, indicates that urban centres and trade did not universally decline. Many cities flourished, particularly those associated with regional capitals, temple complexes, and trade routes, both internal and external. Trade connections with Southeast Asia and China were vibrant.
- Religious and Cultural Flourishing: This period witnessed the growth of Bhakti movements and the increasing prominence of temple worship. Temples became significant socio-economic institutions. There was also a remarkable efflorescence in art, architecture (with distinct regional styles like Nagara, Dravida, Vesara), literature in Sanskrit and regional languages, and philosophy.
The passage accurately reflects these key characteristics, situating the beginning of this transformative period around 600 CE.
Important Questions from Trade guilds
What consequences flowed from the land grants given to Brahmans?
(i) They buttressed the position of rulers.
(ii) They led to the growth of agriculture as not unoften the grantee had to bring fresh land under cultivation.
(iii) The undifferentiated rural society got further stratified.
(iv) The practice of endowing land grants to religious institutions and personages began from c. 600 CE.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Which of the following taxes fell in the category of granting free trade facilities and reduction in the taxes?
(a) Sair-dam
(b) Muqata
(c) Mapa
(d) Rahdari
Select the correct answer from the options given below:
- Match List - I with List - II.
List - I List - II Scholars Theories A. R.E. Park and E. Burgess I. Social Area Analysis B. Homer Hoyt II. Multi Centred model C. R.J. Johnston III. Sector theory D. C. Harris and E. Ullman IV. Concentric zone theory
Choose the correct answer from the options given below : - In the context of 'ghettos' and 'urban prosperity', the areas in decline are transformed into areas of prosperity. This process is called as ___________
