Social and Attitudinal Change in Medieval India

Abstract

There has been a discussion whether medieval Indian society was feudal or not, but very little discussion on the processes of social and attitudinal change following the advent of the Turks. State efforts at maximising revenue collection and improvement of cultivation by emphasising jins-i-kamil helped in the emergence of a new class of rich farmers among the khud-kasht. The khud-kasht was the social basis of Mughal peace based on a tripartite alliance between the state, the zamindars and khud-kasht. However, the growing aspirations of the zamindars and the khud-kasht led to dissident movements and political instability. The process of urbanisation and growth of foreign trade led to the strengthening of the merchants and financiers and the growth of a money economy. They interacted with the state and sought to extend their control on the country side, and also the growing class of artisans through a process of dadni. The composite ruling class, which emerged under the Mughals was more bureaucratic and commercial in nature and promoted mercantilism. The writings of the various bhakti and Sufi saints help in understanding the contemporary ethos and attitudes. While some of them emphasise human equality, some regard social inequality as God given. A more thorough-going attitudinal change was resisted, however, due to deep-seated social, intellectual and religious constraints.