Old NCERT Summary (Satish Chandra): Assessment and Review of Medieval India | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

The thousand years from the beginning of the 8th century to the end of 17th century saw important changes in economic, political and cultural life & to a smaller extent in the social life.

CASTE SYSTEM
Continued to dominate even after:
(i) the challenge posed by Islam and loss of Rajputs in defending Dharma
(ii) Nath panthis and Bhakti movement vehemently criticising it
New subgroups appeared due to:
(i) Tribal absorption into Hinduism
(ii) Growth of new professional groups
(iii) Growth of local and regional feeling
(iv) The varna status of the Castes fell or rose depending upon their economic and political power.

RELIGION
(i) Bhakti and Sufi saints promoted true faith rather than formal observances.
(ii) They helped growth of regional language and literature
(iii) But excessive religious concern led to neglect of rational sciences
(iv) Science and technology could not develop

POSITION OF WOMEN
(i) Seclusion of women or purdah became widespread
(ii) No right to remarriage
(iii) No right to share father's property
(iv) Muslim women in the ruling class had the above right in limited sense occasionally.

POLITICAL & ECONOMIC
(i) Political and administrative integration of the country
(ii) The institution of well minted currency
(iii) Development of roads, sarais and preference of city life led to growth of trade and handicrafts which reached its climax during 17th century
(iv) Ruling class remained largely aristocratic with limited opportunities to the people of lower classes
(v) Significant contribution was the defence of India from Mongol onslaughts during 13th and 14th century.
(vi) India's reputation as land of spices and its position in textiles was established

LAGGING IN COMPARISON TC EUROPEAN COUNTRIES IN THE 17th CENTURY
Reasons:
(i) The ruling class during the Turks and Mughals had no tradition of connection with the sea.
(ii) They did recognize their importance in foreign trade but not the importance of naval power in furthering the economic development
(iii) Indian craftsmen had little ability to innovate e.g. in the field of Shipbuilding replicas of European ships were made.
(iv) Too much emphasis on past learning in the society apart from ruling class.
(v) The effect of caste system in breeding the attitude of insularity is debatable
Despite this the outburst of creative activity makes 17th century a second classical age.