INTRODUCTION
After the death of Harsha Vardhana in 647 A.D the Muslim rule started in India. After his death complete anarchy and disorder prevailed in the country. There was an absence of political unity as no strong central authority was there. Rajput remained divided during this period and wanted to establish their supremacy. South India was too divided into smaller kingdoms.
SOCIAL LIFE :
- RISE OF RAJPUTS : New section of Rajputs emerged who rule maximum of states. They were considered as the rulers of clans, most of whom were related by blood.
- POSITION OF WOMENS IN SOCIETY : Women were considered as inferior and were considered as a product of enjoyment by mens. Within the family women occupied honourable positions. Women were denied education. Polygamy was prevalent while remarriage was allowed under certain conditions only. Sati systems among higher castes were quite widespread.
- EMERGENCE OF NEW CASTE : New castes such as Kayastha caste emerged, they were people of different castes who worked in the royal establishments. Hinduism was growing. Various sub castes were also adding up.
- SOCIAL EVILS IN SOCIETY : Many social evils were prevalent in society such as consumption of intoxicants like bhang which made people lazy and dull. The Sati System was prevalent and Widow remarriage was not allowed. The justice System was defective.
ECONOMIC LIFE :
- TAXES : Due to the number of intermediaries the peasants were forced to pay additional taxes apart from basic land tax, despite the land tax being very high. The temple authorities also collected additional dues from the peasants. Goods produced by craftsmen were also taxed.
- DECLINE OF GUILDS : internal trade was still prevalent but at minimal level. Large number of Artisans worked in cities where professional guilds were recognized, but they lost their previous dominance.
- SELF SUFFICIENT VILLAGE ECONOMY : Villages were self sufficient in nature. There was no surplus production for trade, so the subsistence economy was there.
- DECLINE OF TRADE: Economic self-sufficiency of villages declined the trade which affected the growth of towns, wars among kingdoms was also a reason for trade decline.
RELIGIOUS LIFE :
- REGAIN OF HINDUISM : Hinduism was at its revival stage while Buddhism and Jainism saw a decline. There was growth of Vishnu and Shiva temples while worship of Sun and Brahma declined. Buddisms was confined in east India and jainism in south India.
- SYSTEM OF DEVDASI : Devdas System became prevalent where a number of temples employed unmarried girls as Devdasis. They were required to please the deity by their dance.
- HIGHER CLASSES LIVED IN LUXURY : People of higher classes lived in luxury. Moral standards of people were degraded.
- TANTRIK LITERATURE : Tantric literature developed where many scholars wrote obscene books like 'Kuttum Matam'. A book ,'Guhya Samaya' on Buddha tantric depicts Buddha indulging in acts of debauchery with angels.
CULTURAL LIFE :
- DEVELOPMENT OF ART : art flourished in the north in Rajput courts. Pahari art became famous under Rajputs. Finest Hindu architecture examples are seen in Jain temples at Shatrunjaya , temples of Bhuvneshewar. In the kingdoms of Pallavs and Cholas beautiful temples were built.
- LITERATURE : as Rajput rulers themselves were great intellect and scholars, literature got special attention. Jaidev most remarkable people wrote 'Gita Govinda'. Many important books on science were also written such as ,'Siddhanta Siromani' by Bhasharacharya.
- EDUCATION : Mass education was not popular, people learned what they felt was needed. Reading and writing was confined to smaller sections such as brahmans. There were some temples who made arrangements for higher education. Crafts education was left on professional guilds. Small pathshalas were opened. Philosophers had to visit various learning centres in different parts of the country to complete their education.
- LACK OF FEMALE EDUCATION : Women's education was not given much importance as they were married at lower age . Women were denied rights to study vedas. Daughters of high officials were supposed to be highly skilled in various arts, including poetry.
CONCLUSION
From the above discussion the political, social, cultural life of punjab can be understood on the eve of Turkish invasion. Various kingdoms fought among themselves for acquiring powers. There was no political unity among India. Rulers which ultimately paved a way fur Turkish invasion.
BOOK REFRENCE ( CLICK TO BUY )
A History of India, Vol. I, Penguin Books, 1966 - Thapar, Romila