Over view of medieval Indian

societyIndia in transition

( 8-16 century A.D)

Understanding Historical Periodization of Indian Society

British Schemes of religio-imperial periodization: Hindu (up to1206) , Muslim (1206-1707), British era (1757-1947)

Nationalist Adoption of such schemes

Problems with such periodization

New Historical approaches

Features of Medieval Society The empire of Harsha Fragmentation of political

power Emergence of Regional

cultural and political systems Resurgence of Hinduism and

Linguistic Fluorescence Urbanization and Country side Merchant Guilds Overseas Indian Linkages

The nature of production organization in medieval India

Asiatic mode of production Feudalism Segmented State