Early Medieval Indian Society: A Study in Feudalisation by R.S. Sharma is a landmark historical work that redefines the transition from ancient to medieval India. Expanding on his earlier theories in Indian Feudalism , Sharma uses a Marxist framework to argue that the rise of land grants, the decline of trade, and the "feudalisation" of the socio-economic structure were the defining traits of this era (c. 600–1200 CE). Core Themes and Historical Analysis
Sharma’s analysis focuses on how a once-centralized ancient state fractured into a decentralized "landocracy". His work highlights several key transformations: Early Medieval Indian Society Rs Sharma Pdf Download -
Sharma examines how the traditional varna system adjusted to this new hierarchy, leading to a proliferation of castes and the absorption of tribal groups into the lower orders of Hindu society. Table of Contents Summary Early Medieval Indian Society: A Study in Feudalisation by R
He links the transition to a "social crisis" in the Kali Age, characterized by a decline in long-distance trade, a paucity of metallic coinage, and the decay of urban centers. This forced a shift toward a self-sufficient, agrarian-based economy. 600–1200 CE)
These grants led to the "parcellization of sovereignty," where local landlords—often worse than kings in their tax demands—gained significant political and military autonomy.
A major focus of the book is the increasing subjection of peasants. Attached to the land through extra-economic compulsion and forced labor, peasants lost their communal rights and became increasingly exploited.