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
Introduction The Mauryan Empire (321–185 BCE), founded by Chandragupta Maurya and expanded under Emperor Ashoka, is considered one of the most well-organized and centralized states in ancient India. The Mauryan administration paid special attention to economic management, especially in the agrarian sector. Since agriculture was the backbone of the economy, the state developed a systematic
Analyse the nature of agrarian taxation under the Mauryas. Read More »
Introduction Rainfall is one of the most important natural factors that affect the Indian economy, especially in the agricultural sector. India’s agriculture is still largely dependent on monsoon rains. Understanding the pattern of rainfall helps us analyze how it influences agrarian production and the livelihoods of millions of farmers. In this post, we’ll discuss the
Introduction The colonial period in India had a deep and lasting impact on its economy. British rule introduced new systems, destroyed some traditional economic structures, and created a colonial economy that mainly served British interests. To understand this complex period, historians and economists have adopted various approaches. These approaches help us study how colonialism affected
Discuss the major approaches to study the economy during colonial period in India. Read More »
IGNOU MHI-05 Solved Assignment 2024-25 This post contains all the solved answers for the assignment MHI-05: History of Indian Economy for the 2024-25 session. Each question is answered in over 500 words using student-friendly language. Click the links below to view each detailed solution: Section A Discuss the recent trends in the economic history writings
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Introduction The concept of feudalism has long been a central theme in the study of Indian history, particularly in the context of early medieval India (circa 600–1200 CE). Since the mid-20th century, historians have debated whether Indian society during this period can be described as feudal in the same way as medieval Europe. The recent
Analyse the recent development in Feudalism debate. Read More »
i) Porterage Porterage refers to the manual transportation of goods, typically by human carriers or animals, in the absence of mechanical means of transport. In pre-modern India, especially in rural and hilly areas, porterage played a vital role in internal trade and the movement of agricultural produce, salt, textiles, and other commodities. Human porters, bullocks,
Short Notes: i) Porterage ii) Taxes other than Land tax during Mughal period Read More »
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