Continued From:The Forgotten Empires Of India: Foreign Invasion of Medieval India - Part 4
Politics Of Medieval Deccan
Despite constant rivalry between the major Deccan Kingdoms, at the time of
the invasions, the Deccan Kingdoms promoted an advanced society. There was a
good supply of food and the people almost never faced famines. Ibn Batuta
records seeing schools established to provide education to boys as well as
girls. The monarchs errected many temples which served the purpose of
discovering new talent. Judging from the temples which have escaped destruction
at the hands of the Turkish invaders, there must have been no shortage of
skilled artisans and artists.The stone and copper plates recovered from the
temples speak of the high degree of literacy of the people.
Figure: Sample Sketches of Sculptures In Temples Constructed By The
Hoysalas
The temples were not only a place of worship , but they enhanced the
socio-economic life of the people. The construction of the temples and its
subsequent maintenance provided employment to ancient civil/structural
engineers, artisans and trades people. The artistic talent of the sculptors was
displayed on pedestals in the temples for eternity. The daily routine in the
temples provided employment to the priestly class, to florists, musicians,
dancers, cooks and many others. The festivals brought colour to the area by
organising fairs, contests and entertainment. The fact that temples were held
sacred in all the kingdoms of India , prevented the destruction of temples and
through it preserved the socio-economic lives of the people even at times of
war.
The temples also served as the location for hospitals and schools. They
were the centre that provided adult education. From lectures on the Vedas and
Puranas to instructions in music and dance, the temples served the purpose of
universities. The people were instructed in a minimum of four to eighteen
subjects. The basic four subjects were philosophy, Vedic studies, economics and
politics. The fourteen major subjects included Vedas, grammar, phoenetics,
astronomy, logic, law & ethics, music, politics, medicine, engineering
& sciences and mathematics. There were colleges dedicated for providing
instructions on each of these subjects. A medical college at Thiruvaduthurai
taught Astangahridaya and Caraka Samhita (From the time of Rajendra Chola 1 12th
century) to budding phycisians. Brahmins well versed in many of these subjects
served as Rajagurus while the other classes became proficient in the subjects
of their choice that complimented their vocational training. The Brahmins were
highly respected as they devoted themselves to religious pursuits and never
participated in the race for wealth and power. They served the public and lived
on the endowments from the King and voluntary gifts from other classes of
people.
The maritime culture of South India promoted export of fine clothing,
jwellery, metal utensils, spices , agricultural products, pearls, rubies,
diamonds, sandal, camphor and many more. The merchants and artisans formed powerful
guilds and unions. The country was crisscrossed with waterways and irrigation
canals. The government maintained roads and highways in good condition. The
width of a main road was 24 feet. The duties and taxes levied were very fair.
The Kakatiya monarch in the 13th century, to promote trade announced
that duties will not exceed 1/30th of the value of the item. The
naval power of the Kakatiyas was also instrumental in subduing piracy.
Harmony and tolerance was the relationship between various religious sects
of South India. There were healthy debates between the various sects , but
never any riots communal in nature. Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists,
Jains, Parsis continued to live in peace without fear of persecution until the
Turk-Afghan Invasion. An Alexandrian merchant has noted the presence of a
Church in Quilon in 522 AD. There have also been discovery of copper plates
with records of grants to a Church dated 774 AD.
Continued On: The Forgotten Empires Of India: Foreign Invasion of Medieval India - Part 6
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