Studies in the Socio-Economic History of Medieval Andhra Desa

by R. Soma Reddy

The book contains twenty selected research papers which highlight the significance of some of the important aspects of Andhra society and economy during the very crucial period of its history, i.e. 1300 A.D. to 1800. These essays embody the findings of investigation undertaken by the author in the course of several years. Some of the important socio-economic aspects covered in the papers include Rural Settlements, migration pattern, History of Islam in the region, cult of female deities. Europeans in the native service, taxation policy, tax oppression, Revenue farming, Visabadi system, agricultural development including irrigation and land reclamation, cattle wealth of temples, Nayankara and village Ayagar system. These developments of profound importance which were characteristic to this particular period have been brought out in detail and their significance explained for the first time in these papers.

The publication of these studies in a book form will contribute to the further understanding of the socio-economic history of Medieval Andhra Desa in particular and that of Medieval India in general and will add to the existing knowledge on the subject. It may initiate in-depth enquiry into these areas by the researchers in future.