Time and again we have been told in our text books at schools and colleges, and through speeches by our politicians, economists, etc., that "India is essentially Rural India and Rural India is virtually the Cultivator".
The nearest authoritative source which can give us an idea of the Mauryan State apparatus is the Arthashastra - a Sanskrit classic on the principles of politico-economic organisation authored by Chanakya who was the principal adviser to the first Mauryan Emperor, Chandragupta.
In the mediaeval ages many kings and feudal lords made generous donations to temples and temple construction. This is the reason for the rich opulent temples in the middle ages.
The period from the fall of the Maurya empire in the 2nd century B.C.E. upto rise of the Guptas in the 3rd century C.E. saw a string of smaller dynasties rule from Patliputra.
In the last chapter, we saw how the Muslim rule of the Ghaznivids was established in Kabul, Paktoonistan and in the land of the five rivers - Punjab. Thus after Sindh in 715; Kabul Paktoonistan and Punjab became the next Indian provinces which went under Muslim domination in the period 980 C.E. to 1020 C.E.
In the earlier chapter covering the story of Prithviraj Chouhanthe last HinduRuler of Delhi, we read how Muslim Rulewas established at Delhi in the year 1194 C.E.
The Marathas are a proud and hardy race who are a sub-set of the wider Hindu Community. They are first mentioned in Indian history as the stout fighters in the army of the Chalukya King Pulikeshin who resisted the Southward march of Emperor Harsha in the 7th century C.E.
Time and again we have been told in our text books at schools and colleges, and through speeches by our politicians, economists, etc., that "India is essentially Rural India and Rural India is virtually the Cultivator".
The nearest authoritative source which can give us an idea of the Mauryan State apparatus is the Arthashastra - a Sanskrit classic on the principles of politico-economic organisation authored by Chanakya who was the principal adviser to the first Mauryan Emperor, Chandragupta.
In the mediaeval ages many kings and feudal lords made generous donations to temples and temple construction. This is the reason for the rich opulent temples in the middle ages.
The period from the fall of the Maurya empire in the 2nd century B.C.E. upto rise of the Guptas in the 3rd century C.E. saw a string of smaller dynasties rule from Patliputra.
In the last chapter, we saw how the Muslim rule of the Ghaznivids was established in Kabul, Paktoonistan and in the land of the five rivers - Punjab. Thus after Sindh in 715; Kabul Paktoonistan and Punjab became the next Indian provinces which went under Muslim domination in the period 980 C.E. to 1020 C.E.
In the earlier chapter covering the story of Prithviraj Chouhanthe last HinduRuler of Delhi, we read how Muslim Rulewas established at Delhi in the year 1194 C.E.
The Marathas are a proud and hardy race who are a sub-set of the wider Hindu Community. They are first mentioned in Indian history as the stout fighters in the army of the Chalukya King Pulikeshin who resisted the Southward march of Emperor Harsha in the 7th century C.E.
From the 15th century onwards the first European colonists had started visiting the shores of India.
