Social Changes in Early Medieval History Period of India - Audio Lecture

This Audio deals with the societal changes in the Early Medieval Era. Nearly all the social changes that occurred in that era when the transformation from the ancient to medieval took place have been discussed in detail in this Audio. The position of women in society degraded when compared to the woman of Ancient India. The four varna system is also discussed here. The position of the four varnas which were - Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas & Shudras has been told in this audio lecture. The degraded position of the Shudras and Vaishyas has been described. The views of Al Beruni who visited India with the invader Mahmud of Ghazni has also described the position of Vaishyas and Shudras as almost same during that period.

Below are some prominent changes that occurred during the Medieval Era -

1. Land Grants to Priests and Religious heads - Epigraphic inscriptions are proofs of land being awarded to Priests and Religious heads initially to Hindus and later to Buddhist monks and Jain priests. The first proof date back to 1st century B.C. inscription of the Saatvahana Dynasty. In the Gupta period this practise of granting land was also prevalent. Initially only land was given but taxation and army rights were retained by the ruler but later the taxation, army and police rights were also being given with the grants. The disastrous result of this was DECENTRALISATION which was to prove catastrophic for the next generation rulers.

2. Development of Vernacular Languages - Initially due to immobility of persons from one village to another or from one district to another, as it was prohibited leading to development of localised customs, castes and languages but later due to the mobility of the Aryan languages and thoughts, numerous mixed vernacular languages developed.

All other changes of the early medieval era have been explained in this lecture.