Indian Feudalism

Land Grants had significant relevance in Ancient History, and they frequently deviated from European Feudalism in terms of financial interests and accompanying changes. Indian Feudalism flourished in the early seventh century, as land grants replaced monetary payments. This development of land allocations and thus feudal regimes reached its peak during the 9th  and 12th  centuries AD. Indian Feudalism was a period in history when state collapse and Balkanisation resulted in the demise of the central authority and the establishment of tiny authoritarian governments in power dynamics, most notably during the post-Mauryan and post-Gupta periods. Feudalism transformed the administrative transition landscape and opened the way for accepting a feudal policy throughout the subcontinent throughout the Mediaeval and Late eras of Ancient India.

Beginning of Feudalism in India

Concerning India, this notable shift to Feudalism was accompanied by various distinct dimensions, the most notable of which were the four-dimensional zones of feudal deference. These four-dimensional regions of feudal distinction included the feudal zones of North-West India, particularly the Gurjara-Pratihara feudal zones, the feudal zones of Bihar and Bengal, particularly the Pala feudal zone, the feudal zones of Deccan, particularly the Rashtrakutas, and the feudal zones of the subcontinent’s southern states. These aspects laid the ground for the growth of Feudalism in India throughout a wide range of historical periods and in an almost constant fashion. 

Early Pali literature provides insight into feudal laws such as the “Brahmadeya” during the Pre-Mauryan Period. Early Indian Feudalism concerning land grants, taxing authority transfers, coercive authorities, and the capacity to impose coercive tactics. In the post-Mauryan period, the nobility received land from the King in exchange for protection (military), and vassal states were tenants of the nobles. At the same time, peasants were required to live on their lord’s land and provide him with homage, labour, and a share of the product in exchange for military protection.

The Rise of Indian Feudalism

According to ancient epigraphic records, the Satavahana dynasty granted land concessions to the aristocratic classes during rites, and hence the birth of Indian Feudalism began here. However, these land grant documents lacked a clear indication of income or administrative authority transfer. The Early Ancient Period indicated that Buddhist monks often reserved land grants when feudal divisions were nonexistent. The Mauryan government laid the groundwork for the more significant growth of Feudalism in the subcontinent. They guaranteed that post-Mauryan times saw a total transfer of land revenue rights, administrative authorities, and, most significantly, political activity at grassroots levels to the feudal lords.

With the rise of the Gupta Dynasty, the notion of “complete non-interference” became a reality, as feudal lords gained maximum independence and central authority exercised complete non-interference in the activities and operation of feudal regimes. In that era, feudal lords were absolute rulers. With the advancement of feudal policies in the second century AD, hereditary rights and civil jurisdiction authorities were also passed to feudal lords, resulting in the establishment of feudatories with unlimited authority. This was a watershed moment in the growth of Indian Feudalism as a whole and resulted in a small Balkanisation of the subcontinent.

Characteristics of Post-Mauryan Feudalism

1. Vassalage: Vassalage referred to the relationship between the ruler and his vassals in personal dependency and devotion.
2. Hierarchy of feudal lords: Different titles denoted a feudal lord’s status and authority within the hierarchy of feudal lords.
3. Hereditary administrative roles: Weak enforcement of authority resulted in the restoration of independence and the creation of hereditary administrative jobs.
4. Decentralisation of Power: Samanthas were handed land instead of salary and continued to seize the territory while retaining their status as vassals of their masters.
5. Castes: The population were fragmented into thousands of different castes and subcastes.

Post-Mauryan and European Feudalisms: Comparison

Post-Mauryan Feudalism was founded on a caste system that separated society into four distinct groups: Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, whereas European Feudalism divided society into three distinct groups: church, aristocracy, and commoners.

But unlike the European system, the majority of the state’s power institutions were exempt from taxation. At the same time, feudal lords in Western Europe granted territories to their serfs to develop their land, Indian kings distributed territories to collect taxes and surpluses.

Conclusion

In India, Feudalism was defined by a group of landowners and a class of dependent peasants, who lived in a primarily agricultural economy characterised by a drop in commerce and urbanisation and a sharp decline in metal coinage. Different ecological forces shaped the social structure and dynamics, distinguishing between European and post-Mauryan Feudalism. It transformed the administrative transition landscape and opened the way for accepting a feudal policy throughout the subcontinent throughout the Mediaeval and Late eras of Ancient India. Many sociological aspects led to the rise of Feudalism in India.