Origin and Growth of Feudalism in Early India

by Gian Chand Chauhan

This work analyzes the origin and growth of feudalism, and deals with the political, economic and social aspect of Indian feudalism.

Feudalism referred to the division of society into social estates, privileges for the nobility, closed economy, the dominant position of landed aristocrats- all that hampered the movement of society forward and restricted the development of town and trade.

The Indian form of feudalism has been treated on the basis of history of ancient India. The complexity and variety of life in feudal society has been shown, fundamental concepts offered, and the basic patterns of the development of the socioeconomic and political formation of feudalism explained. This work would be of great interest to the historian of Ancient Indian History and the researchers who are interested in the study of feudalism.

About the Author:

Dr. Gian Chand Chauhan, a teacher of History at Panjab University, Chandigarh, is working on social institutions of ancient India. He enjoyed post-doctoral fellowship of ICHR, Delhi (1997-99). His publications include Origin and Growth of Feudalism in Early India (from the Mauryas to 650 A.D.). His major field of research is socio-economic institutions of ancient India and Early Indian Feudalism.