DOCSLIB.ORG

The Ghanashyam Dol in Sivasagar, Assam and the Temples of Bishnupur in Bankura, West Bengal: Establishing a Cultural Linkage

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Ghanashyam Dol in Sivasagar, Assam and the Temples of Bishnupur in Bankura, West Bengal: Establishing a Cultural Linkage International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 1, No.:1, 2015 ISSN 2395-4335, © IJIRSSC www. ijirssc.in ________________________________-________________ The Ghanashyam Dol in Sivasagar, Assam and the Temples of Bishnupur in Bankura, West Bengal: Establishing a Cultural Linkage Dipamjyoti Buragohain Assistant Professor, Department of History, Bihpuria College, Assam, India ABSTRACT : The Ahoms were a small branch of the Tai race that expanded all over Southeast Asia. During early medieval period they established a powerful kingdom around the Brahmaputra Valley and ruled the region for about six hundred years successfully till 1826 CE. They not only politically united the region but also took initiative for its socio-cultural expansion. The period is also known for the growth and expansion of art and architecture, representing the influence of contemporary Hindu and Islamic architecture. The present paper tries to study the historicity and architecture of one of the unique temples of the Ahom period in Sivasagar District, Assam known as the Ghanashyam Dol. With the context of the temples of Bishnupur in Bankura District, West Bengal, an attempt is made to study the structural and ornamental aspects of the Ghanashyam Dol and the influence of contemporary Bengali architecture on it. Keywords - Architecture, Dol , Religion, Sivasagar, Terracotta art. I.Introduction: The Ghanashyam Dol is located in the historical city of Sivasagar, Assam. It is located at 26°57´´41´ N and 94°36´´08´ E. The district of Sivasagar has a unique place in the history of Assam. It is here Chao-Lung Siu-Ka-Pha, the Tai prince established the foundation of the Ahom kingdom with its first permanent capital at Charaideo. During the reign of the successors of Siu-Ka-Pha the capital of the Ahom kingdom was shifted time to time to Saragua, Gargaon and Rangpur respectively all in Sivasagar district. Rangpur continued to be the Ahom capital from the time of king Rudra Singha (1696-1714 CE) till it was last established at Jorhat towards the end of the Ahom rule. Since four of the five capitals of the Ahom kingdom are located in the present district of Sivasagar, the region witness a large number of monuments of that period standing high and mesmerizing hey days of the Ahom rule. A prominent monument of the period in Sivasagar is the Ghanashyam Dol, a terracotta brick temple that lies near present Joysagar College, Joysagar. Located on the bank of the Joysagar tank, it is in the vicinity of the Joysagar group of temples built by king Rudra Singha. It is also known as the Nati Gosain Dol. The art and architecture of this monument shows resemblance with the temples of Bishnupur in Bankura district, West Bengal. II. Objectives of the Study: The main objectives of the present study aim to include the following: 1. To examine the historicity of the Ghanashyam Dol 2. To study the architectural and sculptural features 3. To examine the influence of contemporary Bengali temple architecture on Ahom architecture www. ijirssc.in Page 111 International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 1, No.:1, 2015 ISSN 2395-4335, © IJIRSSC www. ijirssc.in ________________________________-________________ 4. To study the representation of society and culture through the sculptures 5. To study the present condition III. Methodology : The present study has been undertaken to make a detailed and systematic study of the Ghanashyam Dol and the impact of Bengali architecture over it. Primary data have been collected particularly from the Buranjis, the Ahom chronicles. Secondary data have been collected from a number of books, journals, and proceedings. IV. Result and Discussion : The history of the Ghanashyam Dol is uncertain. There are debates regarding the period and patron of the Ghanashyam Dol. The Ahom chronicles popularly known as the Buranji did not provide any reference to the Ghanashyam Dol. There are two popular opinions regarding its period. Accordingly one says that it was built under the patronage of Rudra Singha by Ghanashyam Khanikar. Ghanashyam was originally from Koch Bihar brought by Rudra Singha as the chief architect to build the capital city of Rangpur.1 The actual name of Ghanashyam was Ghansauddin. Some believed that originally a Muslim he converted to Hinduism. He was the mastermind in the construction of the Joysagar group of temples which stands high till date reminding the glory of the reign of Rudra Singha. After completing his task, Ghanashyam was allowed to return to Koch Bihar. But before he crossed the borders of the Ahom Kingdom, he was captivated by Borphukan, the Ahom royal officer at Guwahati.2 He was found guilty for secretly carrying a map of the Ahom capital. Ghanashyam was sent to Rangpur and imprisoned for the rest of his life. He built a dol near the Joysagar group of the temples during the period of his imprisonment which subsequently came to be known as the Ghanashyam Dol. According to the other opinion, it was built during the reign of Rajeswar Singha (1751- 1769 CE) to Nati Gosain, who was the grandson of Parbatia Gosain (Krishnaram Nyayavagish, Sakta Brahmin priest from Bengal from whom Siva Singha accepted initiation). Hence the dol is known as the Nati Gosain Dol.3 There is more probability of its building during the reign of Rudra Singha. It is located near the Joysagar group of temples and on the bank of the Joysagar tank. The fact that it was used by Nati Gosain as a residence is quite unusual since the main www. ijirssc.in Page 112 International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 1, No.:1, 2015 ISSN 2395-4335, © IJIRSSC www. ijirssc.in ________________________________-________________ cell is small enough to be used as a residing place. It is also possible that the dol was repaired during the reign of Rajeswar Singha. On the other hand the temples in Bishnupur were built during the rule of the Mallas. The region around Bishnupur was called as Mallabhum where the Mallas ruled from the end of the 7th Century CE to the advent of the British. Most of the temples were constructed by the successors of Bir Hambir (1565-1620 CE), a powerful Malla ruler and contemporary of the Mughal emperor Akbar. Bishnupur rose into prominence as an important centre of learning and cultural activities during 17th and 18th Centuries. V (a) Architectural Features: The Ghanshyam Dol bears resemblance to the Bishnupur group of temples of Bankura district, West Bengal. The Bishnupur group of temples can be divided into three distinct style- deul, chala and ratna.4 The Ghanashyam Dol bears similarities to the temples like Jor-Bangla, Madana-Mohana, Radha-Syama, Nandalala, Syam-Raya, etc. of Bishnupur. Particularly the chala type of temples of Bishnupur is close in architectural features with that of Ghanashyam Dol. Not only the architectural features, but also the ornamental carvings are to some extant similar to the Bishnupur group of temples. Besides linear geometrical patterns, representation of the popular scenes from the Epic Ramayana as well as independent human and divine figures, animal figures, floral motifs, etc. found prominence in the Ghanashyam Dol. The architectural and sculptural features of the Ghanashyam Dol clearly indicate the impact of the Bishnupur group of temples on it. The Ghanashyam Dol complex comprises of three independent structures surrounded by a common boundary wall. The original brick boundary wall is partly intact. Besides the main cell, it has a rectangular hall probably used as a Kitchen House (Bhog Ghar) exactly in front of its opening side, i.e. to its south and an entrance gate house to its northern corner. The Ghanashyam Dol is unique among the Ahom monuments on account of its overall planning and execution. It is a brick built structure having terracotta carvings on its exterior. It has a square ground plan. Though it is call as dol it does not look like any other dols of the Ahom period or any typical Hindu temple. It does not contain any image. It has a small rectangular chamber attached with a rectangular corridor. The roof is char-chala type, jeweled with another char-chala type small roof on its top, thus making it a traditional Bengali at-chala type structure. The façade of the dol is facing south having three arched entrances. It has small arched windows to its west, north and east side walls respectively. The main cell has an arched entrance from the corridor. A typical feature of the main cell is that it has a mihrab, a typical feature of a mosque found on its northern interior wall. www. ijirssc.in Page 113 International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 1, No.:1, 2015 ISSN 2395-4335, © IJIRSSC www. ijirssc.in ________________________________-________________ The main shrine is connected to the Kitchen House by a brick pavement. The Kitchen House is a single cell hall with rectangular ground plan. Its roof is char-chala type. The entrance gate- house is located in the northern corner of the complex. Square in ground plan, it bears influence of Islamic architecture. It is crowned with a raw of battlements. V(b)Sculptural features: While the Kitchen House and the entrance gate house do not contain any ornamental feature, the exterior of the Ghanashyam Dol is extensively decorated with terracotta ornamentations. However the interior of it is plain. The exterior of the opening side of the Ghanashyam Dol is decorated with panels filled with terracotta plates put up in horizontal and vertical rows. Above the three arched entrance, there are large panels in each having terracotta ornamentation.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The First Mohammedan Invasion (1206 &1226 AD) of Kamrupa Took
    The first Mohammedan invasion (1206 &1226 AD) of Kamrupa took place during the reign of a king called Prithu who was killed in a battle with Illtutmish's son Nassiruddin in 1228. During the second invasion by Ikhtiyaruddin Yuzbak or Tughril Khan, about 1257 AD, the king of Kamrupa Saindhya (1250-1270AD) transferred the capital 'Kamrup Nagar' to Kamatapur in the west. From then onwards, Kamata's ruler was called Kamateshwar. During the last part of 14th century, Arimatta was the ruler of Gaur (the northern region of former Kamatapur) who had his capital at Vaidyagar. And after the invasion of the Mughals in the 15th century many Muslims settled in this State and can be said to be the first Muslim settlers of this region. Chutia Kingdom During the early part of the 13th century, when the Ahoms established their rule over Assam with the capital at Sibsagar, the Sovansiri area and the area by the banks of the Disang river were under the control of the Chutias. According to popular Chutia legend, Chutia king Birpal established his rule at Sadia in 1189 AD. He was succeeded by ten kings of whom the eighth king Dhirnarayan or Dharmadhwajpal, in his old age, handed over his kingdom to his son-in-law Nitai or Nityapal. Later on Nityapal's incompetent rule gave a wonderful chance to the Ahom king Suhungmung or Dihingia Raja, who annexed it to the Ahom kingdom.Chutia Kingdom During the early part of the 13th century, when the Ahoms established their rule over Assam with the capital at Sibsagar, the Sovansiri area and the area by the banks of the Disang river were under the control of the Chutias.
    [Show full text]
  • CHAPTER II GEOGRAPHICAL IDENTITY of the REGION Ahom
    CHAPTER II GEOGRAPHICAL IDENTITY OF THE REGION Ahom and Assam are inter-related terms. The word Ahom means the SHAN or the TAI people who migrated to the Brahma­ putra valley in the 13th Century A.D. from their original homeland MUNGMAN or PONG situated in upper Bunna on the Irrawaddy river. The word Assam refers to the Brahmaputra valley and the adjoining areas where the Shan people settled down and formed a kingdom with the intention of permanently absorbing in the land and its heritage. From the prehistoric period to about 13th/l4 Century A.D. Assam was referred to as Kamarupa and Pragjyotisha in Indian literary works and historical accounts. Early Period ; Area and Jurisdiction In the Ramayana and Mahabharata and in the Puranik and Tantrik literature, there are numerous references to ancient Assam, which was known as Pragjyotisha in the epics and Kamarupa in the Puranas and Tantras. V^Tien the stories related to it inserted in the Maha­ bharata, it stretched southward as far as the Bay of Bengal and its western boundary was river Karotoya. This was then a river of the first order and united in its bed the streams which now form the Tista, the Kosi and the Mahanada.^ 14 15 According to the most of the Puranas dealing with geo­ graphy of the earlier period, the kingdom extended upto the river Karatoya in the west and included Manipur, Jayantia, Cachar, parts of Mymensing, Sylhet, Rangpur and portions of 2 Bhutan and Nepal. The Yogini Yantra (V I:16-18) describes the boundary as - Nepalasya Kancanadrin Bramaputrasye Samagamam Karotoyam Samarabhya Yavad Dipparavasinara Uttarasyam Kanjagirah Karatoyatu pascime tirtharestha Diksunadi Purvasyam giri Kanyake Daksine Brahmaputrasya Laksayan Samgamavadhih Kamarupa iti Khyatah Sarva Sastresu niscitah.
    [Show full text]
  • Trade Relationship Between Naga and Ahom Thesis
    TRADE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NAGA AND AHOM THESIS SUBMITED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY TO NAGALAND UNIVERSTY Supervisor Research Scholar Prof. N.VENUH LICHUMO ENIE Department of History & Archaeology Nagaland University Kohima campus, Meriema. 2016 I dedicate this work to Almighty God My Father Shoshumo Enie and Mother Amhono Enie My wife Dr Hannah Enie and Son Mhajamo Enie My pillars of strength DECLARATION I, Shri. Lichumo Enie (PhD/433/2011) do hereby declare that the thesis entitled ‘Trade Relationship Between Naga and Ahom’ submitted by me under the guidance and research supervision of Professor N.Venuh, Department of History & Archaeology, Nagaland University is original and independent research work. I also declare that, it has not been submitted in any part or in full to this University or institution for the Award of any degree part or in full to this University or institution for the award of any degree. The thesis is being submitted to Nagaland University for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History and Archaeology. Prof. N.Venuh Prof. Y. Ben Lotha Lichumo Enie Supervisor Head Candidate CERTIFICATE This is to certify that the thesis ‘Trade Relationship Between Naga and Ahom’ bearing Regd. No. 433/2011 has been prepared by Lichumo Enie under my supervision. I certify that Lichumo Enie has fulfilled all norms required under the PhD regulations of Nagaland University for the submission of thesis for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy of History & Archaeology. The thesis is original work based on his own research and analysis of materials.
    [Show full text]
  • Empire's Garden: Assam and the Making of India
    A book in the series Radical Perspectives a radical history review book series Series editors: Daniel J. Walkowitz, New York University Barbara Weinstein, New York University History, as radical historians have long observed, cannot be severed from authorial subjectivity, indeed from politics. Political concerns animate the questions we ask, the subjects on which we write. For over thirty years the Radical History Review has led in nurturing and advancing politically engaged historical research. Radical Perspec- tives seeks to further the journal’s mission: any author wishing to be in the series makes a self-conscious decision to associate her or his work with a radical perspective. To be sure, many of us are currently struggling with the issue of what it means to be a radical historian in the early twenty-first century, and this series is intended to provide some signposts for what we would judge to be radical history. It will o√er innovative ways of telling stories from multiple perspectives; comparative, transnational, and global histories that transcend con- ventional boundaries of region and nation; works that elaborate on the implications of the postcolonial move to ‘‘provincialize Eu- rope’’; studies of the public in and of the past, including those that consider the commodification of the past; histories that explore the intersection of identities such as gender, race, class and sexuality with an eye to their political implications and complications. Above all, this book series seeks to create an important intellectual space and discursive community to explore the very issue of what con- stitutes radical history. Within this context, some of the books pub- lished in the series may privilege alternative and oppositional politi- cal cultures, but all will be concerned with the way power is con- stituted, contested, used, and abused.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study Into the Ahom Military System in Medieval Assam
    International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention ISSN (Online): 2319 – 7722, ISSN (Print): 2319 – 7714 www.ijhssi.org Volume 4 Issue 6 ǁ June. 2015ǁ PP.17-22 A study into the Ahom Military System in Medieval Assam Nilam Hazarika Naharkatiya College, Dibrugarh University ABSTRACT: A study into the Ahom Military System in Medieval Assam Assam since the coming of the Ahoms and the establishment of the state in the north eastern region of India experienced a number of invasions sponsored by the Muslim rulers of Bengal and in the first half of the 16th century by the Mughals a numerous times in their six hundred years of political existence. In almost all the invasions the Ahoms forces could stand before the invading forces with much strength except one that of Mir Jumla. This generates a general interest into the military system and organization of the Ahoms. Interestingly during the medieval period the Mughals could easily brought about a political unification of India conquering a vast section of the Indian subcontinent. Ahoms remarkably could manage to keep a separate political identity thwarting all such attempts of the Mughals to invade and subjugate the region. This generates an enquiry into the Ahom military administration, its discipline, ways of recruitment, weapons and method of maintaining arsenals and war strategy. Keywords: Paik, Gohains, Buragohain, Phukons, Hazarika, Saikia, Bora, Hilioi I. A STUDY INTO THE AHOM MILITARY SYSTEM IN THE MEDIEVAL TIMES Assam since the coming of the Ahoms and the establishment of the state in the north eastern region of India experienced a number of invasions sponsored by the Muslim rulers of Bengal and in the first half of the 16th century by the Mughals a numerous times in their six hundred years of political existence.
    [Show full text]
  • History of North East India (1228 to 1947)
    HISTORY OF NORTH EAST INDIA (1228 TO 1947) BA [History] First Year RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY Arunachal Pradesh, INDIA - 791 112 BOARD OF STUDIES 1. Dr. A R Parhi, Head Chairman Department of English Rajiv Gandhi University 2. ************* Member 3. **************** Member 4. Dr. Ashan Riddi, Director, IDE Member Secretary Copyright © Reserved, 2016 All rights reserved. No part of this publication which is material protected by this copyright notice may be reproduced or transmitted or utilized or stored in any form or by any means now known or hereinafter invented, electronic, digital or mechanical, including photocopying, scanning, recording or by any information storage or retrieval system, without prior written permission from the Publisher. “Information contained in this book has been published by Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Ltd. and has been obtained by its Authors from sources believed to be reliable and are correct to the best of their knowledge. However, IDE—Rajiv Gandhi University, the publishers and its Authors shall be in no event be liable for any errors, omissions or damages arising out of use of this information and specifically disclaim any implied warranties or merchantability or fitness for any particular use” Vikas® is the registered trademark of Vikas® Publishing House Pvt. Ltd. VIKAS® PUBLISHING HOUSE PVT LTD E-28, Sector-8, Noida - 201301 (UP) Phone: 0120-4078900 Fax: 0120-4078999 Regd. Office: 7361, Ravindra Mansion, Ram Nagar, New Delhi – 110 055 Website: www.vikaspublishing.com Email: [email protected] About the University Rajiv Gandhi University (formerly Arunachal University) is a premier institution for higher education in the state of Arunachal Pradesh and has completed twenty-five years of its existence.
    [Show full text]
  • Court Intrigues in the Ahom Court
    International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention ISSN (Online): 2319 – 7722, ISSN (Print): 2319 – 7714 www.ijhssi.org Volume 4 Issue 2 ǁ February. 2015 ǁ PP.56-59 Court Intrigues in the Ahom Court Nilam Hazarika Naharkatiya College, Dibrugarh University ABSTRACT : Court Intrigues in the Ahom Court The Ahoms belong to the Shan branch of mighty Tai or Thais of the South-East Asia. They entered into north eastern part of India, Assam in the first Quarter of the 13th Century in 1228 A.D. and ruled up to 1826 A.D. till the signing of the Treaty of Yandaboo between the British East India company and the Burmese kingdom and in according to the same passing of Assam from the Burmese Imperial authority to the British East India Company. The Ahoms ruled over Assam for about 600 years. In this period of their political authority, the Ahom court politics experienced conspiracies and intrigues which played an important part in the Ahom politics. These intrigues and conspiracies posed serious threats weakening the Ahom monarchy and in the later period specially in the early 19th century even led to the downfall of their political authority. KEYWORDS: Raja, , Buragohain, Barbaruah, Barphukon, Juboraj, Tungkhungia I. INRODUCTION The Ahoms belong to the Shan branch of mighty Tai or Thais of the South-East Asia. They entered into Assam in the first Quarter of the 13th Century in 1228 A.D. and ruled up to 1826 A.D. till the signing of the Treaty of Yandaboo between the British East India company and the Burmese kingdom and in according to the same passing of Assam from the Burmese Imperial authority to the British East India Company.
    [Show full text]
  • A Comprehensive Analysis on Administration of Ahom Kingdom and Their Socio-Economic Importance
    International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology Vol. 29, No. 2, (2020), pp. 4737 - 4741 A Comprehensive Analysis on Administration of Ahom Kingdom and Their Socio-Economic Importance Dr. Biva Rani Das1, Minakshee Boruah2. 1Assistant Professor, Department of Assamese, DhakuakhanaCollege,Dhakuakhana,Assam,India. 2Research scholar, Department of Assamese, Cotton university, Panbazar,Assam, India. Abstract: Assam located in the north eastern part of India known for different great dynasties of kings. The Ahoms who had ruled in this land came in 1228 AD well known as descendent of Indra, the king of heaven. The Ahom originally lived in Iravati valley of Burma. Around 10 century AD, two prince known as Khulung and Khunglai started moving in the north east direction whomSukafa was believed to be the descendent, who is said to be the founder of Ahom kingdom. The Ahom rule for Brahmaputra valley for six hundred years, they mainly worshiped ‘Somdeo’, who was their chief deity. To administer the kingdom properly they, they had a unique administrative system. Borgohain, Burhagohain and Barpatragohain were the three most important minister of the kingdom. In this paper, we are going to discuss about administrative system of the Ahom system. Key word: Assam, Ahom, Period, Administrative system, Monarchy Introduction:When it comes to Ahom period,it basically refers to the long 600 years period of Ahom history. From the 3rddecade of the 13thcentury to the 4th decade of 19th century. The Ahom had ruled in Assam. A total of 41 rulers from the dynasty ruled during the period over coming various ups and downs,wars and peace,alliance and enmity etc.
    [Show full text]
  • Chaolung Su-Ka-Pha : Builder of Ahom Kingdom, Its Administration
    International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention (IJHSSI) ISSN (Online): 2319 – 7722, ISSN (Print): 2319 – 7714 www.ijhssi.org ||Volume 9 Issue 6 Ser. I || June 2020 || PP 01-03 Chaolung Su-ka-pha: The Builder of Ahom Kingdom, It’s Administration & Economy Dr Kamal Chandra Pathak Associate Professor has been serving in the Department of History of Sonapur College, Kamrup metro, Assam (India) since August, 1997. Dr.Pathak did his Post-Graduation in History from Gauhati University in 1995 and PhD in Peasant Studies from North-Bengal University in September, 2011. Abstract: The man behind the foundation of the Ahom kingdom in the early 13th century was Chaolung Su-ka- pha. Early in the thirteen century, a strong group of people entered in the east of the river Brahmaputra valley and nobody could ever predict at the time of their penetration that their descendants would rule one day over the Brahmaputra valley for about 600 years. They were none but the Ahoms under the leadership of this iron man. As he started his journey from MungMao to Charaideo with a group of some hardy men, he had to face one a series of difficulties uninterruptedly and how did he tackle that and take a leading role in building the kingdom, its administration and economy, especially, at that critical juncture; this paper seeks to address and trace- out them all. Key-words: Conjecture, contradictions, fluids, offshoots, progenitors, pursuits ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Date of Submission: 18-05-2020 Date of Acceptance: 03-06-2020 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- I. INTRODUCTION That the Mung Mao man Chaolung Su-ka-pha laid down the basic foundation of the Ahom kingdom in 1228 in Assam, it is not only confirmed by the facts of sources like the ‘buranjis’ but also by the well- remembered and universal tradition.
    [Show full text]
  • Annexure- a PAPER-V Course Code: HISHC105 Course Code: HISTORY of INDIA III (C. 750 -1206) I. Studying Early Medieval India
    Annexure- A PAPER-V Course Code: HISHC105 Course Code: HISTORY OF INDIA III (c. 750 -1206) I. Studying Early Medieval India: (a) Historical Geography (b) Sources: Texts, Epigraphic and Numismatic (c) Rise of the Rajputs and the nature of the State (d) Rashtrakutas, Palas, Pratiharas II. Political Structures: (a) Evolution of political structures; Cholas: state and administration (b) Legitimization of kingship; Brahmanas and Temples; Royal Genealogies and Rituals (c) Arab conquest of Sindh: nature and impact of the new set-up; Ismaili dawah (d) Causes and consequences of early Turkish invasions: Mahmud of Ghazna; Shahab-ud-Din of Ghaur III. Agrarian Structure and Social Change: (a) Agricultural expansion, crops (b) Landlords, Peasants and tribes (c) Proliferation of Castes; status of Untouchables (d) Debates on Indian feudalism IV. Trade and Commerce: (a) Inter-regional Trade (b) Maritime Trade (c) Forms of Exchange (d) Process of Urbanization (e) Merchant guilds of South India V. Religious and Cultural Developments: (a) Tantrism, Puranic traditions; Buddhism and Jainism (b) Islamic intellectual traditions: Al-Biruni; Al-Hujwiri (c) Regional Languages and Literature (d) Art and Architecture: Evolution of Regional Styles ESSENTIAL READINGS R.S. Sharma, Indian Feudalism (circa 300 - 1200). B.D. Chattopadhyaya, The Making of Early Medieval India. R.S. Sharma and K.M. Shrimali, eds, Comprehensive History of India, Vol. IV (A & B). Mohammad Habib and K.A. Nizami, eds, Comprehensive History of India, Vol. V, The Delhi Sultanate Hermann Kulke, ed., The State in India (AD 1000 - AD 1700). N. Karashima, South Indian History and Society (Studies from Inscriptions, AD 850 -1800 Derryl N.
    [Show full text]
  • Vaishnavism in Assam During 13 and 14Th Centuries AD in India There
    Vaishnavism in Assam During 13th and 14th centuries AD in India there was a plexus of forces that led to the development of new dimensions in Hinduism. One of the dimensions was founded on the liberal doctrine of Bhakti basically simplifying the Hindu philosophy and religious practices from complex Sanskrit tradition to easily comprehensible vernacular languages. It was a progressive and democratic movement which laid emphasis on the unity of the Godhead, stood against excessive ritualism, preached a faith based on constant devotion, fought against caste prejudices and stressed on the equality of man. Several saints of great endowments appeared in various provinces to carry the gospels of the new faith to the masses by rendering the Sanskrit Puranas into regional languages. Of these saints, Ramananda, a Brahmana of Allahabad, was the most impressive figure and occupied the first place at that time (1400-1470 A.D.). He worshipped Rama and preached his doctrine in Hindi. Kabir (1440-1470 A.D.) was one of his chief disciples. Another eminent leader of the movement was Vallabhacharya (1479-1531 A.D.), a Brahmana of the Telugu country. He worshipped Krishna and propagated his doctrine in the south. In Maharashtra the religion of Bhakti was preached by Namadeva (1400-1430 A.D.) who was a tailor by caste. In Bengal arose the notable saint Chaitanya (1485-1533 A. D.), born of a learned Brahmana family of Nadia. In Assam appeared the great Guru Sankardeva (1449-1569 A.D.), a Kayasth by caste, who shaped the religious, social, cultural, and literary life of the people of the province for ages to come.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter I State Formation: a Theoretical Overview
    Chapter I State Formation: A Theoretical Overview The process of state formation as a subject of historical research is not a new one. Anthropologists and historians have propounded certain concepts about the transition of political society from tribalism to a state system and identified certain causative factors in the process of emergence of early states. These causatives are equally important to conceptualize the process of origins of the early Indian states. On the other hand^the medieval Indian state formation is more interesting area of historical inquiry both among the Indian and non-Indian scholars than the early Indian states. But emergences of tribal states in the peripheral regions of : India in pre-colonial period are theoretically different from the states of central zones. However, careful historical studies on pre-colonial Northeast India have identified few causative factors in the process of tribal state formation. l.LEarly State Formation: An Anthropological Approach. Macro and micro level anthropological studies on the transition of tribalism in multidimensional perspectives have conceptualized this transition either as a 'political evolution' ' or as a 'processual development'. The evolution was 'linear' and has been observed as a 'transition from bands to tribe' and from 'chiefdom to state' ^ but the preconditions and causatives of transformation were not mono-causal. To Morton H. Fried, it was an evolution of political society 'from egalitarianism to state through the rank and stratified society'. ^ But E.R. Service identified the process as the transition of band society to tribe and from tribe to state through the chiefdom."^ These stages of evolution in reality, however, always was not lineal and did not exist equally.
    [Show full text]