MEDIEVAL INDIA : Introduction

The medieval history is distinguished from the ancient by the presence of a feudal system. Across the world, in both Europe and Asia, a landed aristocracy came to dominate the government. The government officers were paid more and more in terms of land revenue assignments. The person to whom a tract of land was granted was responsible for getting it cultivated, collecting land revenue and supplying troops to the state in times of need. This kind of de-centralized administrative structure is a hallmark of the entire medieval history worldwide. This system came to be known as serfdom in Europe, while various names are in currency in India to describe it —Jagirdari, Samanatvadi, Zamindari system etc. All of them basically imply the existence of a landed aristocracy.

A number of powerful empires arose in northern India and the Deccan between 750-1000 AD. The Palas, the Pratiharas and the Rashtarkutas were the most prominent among them. The Rashtrakuta empire lasted the longest and was also the most powerful of its times.