Early Medieval Indian Society: A Study in Feudalisation by R.S. Sharma is a landmark historical work that redefines the transition from ancient to medieval India. Expanding on his earlier theories in Indian Feudalism , Sharma uses a Marxist framework to argue that the rise of land grants, the decline of trade, and the "feudalisation" of the socio-economic structure were the defining traits of this era (c. 600–1200 CE). Core Themes and Historical Analysis
A major focus of the book is the increasing subjection of peasants. Attached to the land through extra-economic compulsion and forced labor, peasants lost their communal rights and became increasingly exploited.
Sharma’s analysis focuses on how a once-centralized ancient state fractured into a decentralized "landocracy". His work highlights several key transformations:
Sharma examines how the traditional varna system adjusted to this new hierarchy, leading to a proliferation of castes and the absorption of tribal groups into the lower orders of Hindu society. Table of Contents Summary
Sharma identifies the widespread practice of kings granting land to brahmanas and officials as the primary driver of social change. This created a new class of landed intermediaries who enjoyed fiscal and administrative rights over the peasantry.
He links the transition to a "social crisis" in the Kali Age, characterized by a decline in long-distance trade, a paucity of metallic coinage, and the decay of urban centers. This forced a shift toward a self-sufficient, agrarian-based economy.
While Sharma's "Indian Feudalism" model has faced critiques for its universal application, it remains a foundational text for understanding land relations and social dynamics in South Asia. The book is essential for students of Indian history and is widely available through publishers like Orient Blackswan. Indias Ancient Past Ram Sharan Sharma
