Indian Feudalism
Realm 03: Land Grants, Samantas, and Decentralized Power
WORLD A — EARLY MEDIEVAL INDIA
MICRO-REALM 01
Feudalism Debate
VS
- R.S. Sharma model.
- Marxist historiography.
- Decentralized state.
- Opposing theories exist.
MICRO-REALM 02
Land Grants
- Brahmadeya and Agrahara.
- Religious endowments.
- Transfer of rights.
- Administrative autonomy.
MICRO-REALM 03
The Samanta System
- Feudatory chiefs.
- Maha-Samantadhopati titles.
- Military obligations.
- Weakened central authority.
MICRO-REALM 04
Subinfeudation
- Lords beneath lords.
- Complex hierarchy.
- Fragmented land ownership.
- Multi-tiered exploitation.
MICRO-REALM 05
Peasant Subjugation
- Vishti (forced labor).
- Tied to the soil.
- Loss of mobility.
- Increased tax burden.
MICRO-REALM 06
Closed Economy
🕸
- Decline of trade.
- Paucity of coins.
- Barter system revives.
- Self-sufficient villages.
MICRO-REALM 07
Urban Decay
- Cities lose prominence.
- Ruralization of society.
- Artisans move to villages.
- Pataliputra declines.
MICRO-REALM 08
Political Fragmentation
- Weak imperial center.
- Strong regional periphery.
- Constant internecine warfare.
- Shifting loyalties.
MICRO-REALM 09
Local Strongholds
- Fortified Garhis.
- Samanta power bases.
- Militarized rural landscape.
- Protection vs oppression.
MICRO-REALM 10
Alternative Models
⇌
- Segmentary State theory.
- Integrative State model.
- Burton Stein's critique.
- B.D. Chattopadhyaya's views.