Introduction Banias and Sarrafs were important financial and commercial communities in pre-colonial and colonial India. They played a significant role in money lending, trade, and banking activities. While Banias were mainly involved in wholesale and retail trade, Sarrafs specialized in money-changing and banking functions. In this post, we will explain their roles and significance in […]
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Introduction Deindustrialization refers to the decline of traditional industries and handicrafts in India during British colonial rule. Before British arrival, India had a strong industrial base, including textile production, metalwork, and artisan crafts. However, colonial policies led to the gradual destruction of these industries, resulting in widespread unemployment and poverty. In this post, we will
Write a note on the Deindustrialization of Indian economy during Colonial Period. Read More »
Introduction Before colonial rule, tribal communities in India lived largely self-sufficient lives based on agriculture, hunting, gathering, and shifting cultivation. The British colonial government brought major changes to tribal societies, especially in terms of land rights, forests, and trade. These changes negatively affected tribal economies and ways of life. In this article, we will critically
Introduction During the medieval period in India, peasants faced several hardships, including high taxation, forced labor, crop failure, and exploitation by landlords. In response, they resisted in different ways. While large-scale revolts were rare, there were many subtle, everyday forms of resistance. In this post, we will discuss these everyday acts of peasant resistance and
Discuss everyday forms of peasant resistance during the medieval period. Read More »
Introduction Loans were an essential part of the rural and urban economy in medieval India. They were used for various purposes like agriculture, trade, festivals, and emergencies. However, the practice of lending often had both positive and negative impacts. In this article, we examine the role of loans during the medieval period and their effects
Examine the role of loans and its impact during medieval period in India. Read More »
Introduction The Satavahana Empire (circa 1st century BCE to 3rd century CE) ruled over large parts of central and southern India. The economy of the Satavahanas was diverse and prosperous, driven by agriculture, trade, crafts, and revenue from land. In this post, we examine the main features of the Satavahana economy in simple language. Agriculture
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Introduction Long-distance maritime trade played a key role in the economic and cultural development of early India. With a long coastline and well-developed ports, India was connected to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and even the Roman Empire. In this post, we explore the nature, routes, goods, and significance of maritime trade in early Indian
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Introduction Craft production played a vital role in the economic and cultural life of early India. Skilled artisans were responsible for producing goods like pottery, textiles, metal tools, ornaments, and sculptures. This post discusses how craft production was organized in early India and the roles of guilds, families, and state institutions in its functioning. Artisan
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Introduction The relationship between trade and feudalism in Indian history has been a subject of debate among historians. Some argue that feudalism led to the decline of trade, while others believe that trade continued to flourish alongside feudal structures. In this post, we will explore both sides of the debate and understand how trade and
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Introduction During early medieval times in South India, two types of land grants—Agrahara and Brahmadeya—played a crucial role in expanding agriculture. These were donations made by kings or local rulers to Brahmins, often tax-free, and usually located in forested or less-populated regions. These grants not only helped in the spread of Brahmanical culture but also
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