Social trend and economic conditions in Rajputs period

by Madugundu Krishna    October 28, 2012

 There were many classes in society, mostly based on their hereditary profession. the rich, the Thakurs (warriors) and the Brahmins formed the upper class of the society.

It had been a practice from the Gupta times to remunerate government servants with land grants. Income form this land met their remuneration. This facility was extended to scholars and Brahmins. This gave rise to Zamindari system similar to European feudalism. This added to the difficulties of the tillers of land. Later some of these landlords came to be known `Maha- mandaleswaras’ or Thakurs and they became petty rulers.

The Rajputs respected women and educated them. Women were cultured and studied literature, Sanskrit language, dance, music, painting and embroidery work. There arts were well developed by the efforts women. Child marriage and Sati prevailed. The Rajputs undertook pilgrimage to holy places and bathed in holy waters. Pushkar, the center of worship of Brahma near Ajmer grew in importance and on the full moon day (Purnima) of the month of Karthika. A huge fair was held and it continues even now. Animal sacrifice was banned at the place. Dassara, Deepavali and Holi were celebrated by the Rajputs with pomp.

Towns had craftsmen and traders. The Vaishyas also engaged in money lending. The Arabs traded at the ports on the west coast of India. Spices, cotton and silk fabrics, perfumes and costly diamonds were exported. Horses were imported from central Asia and Arabia.           

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Rate It:

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5