IGNOU HISTORY NOTES : India History From 8th to 15th Century - Agrarian Economy

IGNOU HISTORY Study Notes for IAS, UPSC Exams

History India From 8th to 15th Century

Agrarian Economy

Structure

1.0 Objectives
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Agrarian Expansion
1.2.1 Gwgmphial and Chronological Patterns
1.2.2 ldeologial bckgmund
1.3 Agrarian Organisation
1.3.1 Character and Rok of Various Types of Agrarian Settkments
1.3.2 R~ghts in Land
1.4 Technological Improvements
1.5 Rural Tension
1.6 Agriculture and the Exchange Network
1.7 The Characterisation of Early Medieval Agrarian Economy
1.8 Let Us Sum Up
1.9 Key Words
1.10 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises

1.0 OBJECTIVES

After rdding this Unit you should be able to explain the:

factors responsible for the expansion of agriculture in the Indian subcontinent,
chronological pattern of land grant system,
ideology behind land grants,
character and role of various types of agrarian sdtkments,
growth and nature of land ights,
technological improvements in the sphere of agriculture,
interdependence amongst different groups related to land,
role of agriculturists in trade, and
characterisation of early medieval agrarian economy.

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The early medieval period in Indian history marks the growth of cultivation and
organisation of land relations through land grants. These grants began around the
beginning of Christian era and covered practically the entire subcontinent by the
end of the twelfth century. In the early medieval period agricultural expansion meant
a greater and more regular use of advanced agricultural techniques, plough
cultivation and irrigation technology. Institutional management of agricultural
processes, control of means of production and new relations of production also
played an important role in this expansion. With this expansion, new type of nwal
.tensions also emerged. Commercial activities in agricultural and non-agricultural
commodities increased. All these aspects have been dealt in this Unit which ends
with a discussion on the characterisation of early medieval agrarian economy. Let us
start with the aspects related to agrarian expansion.