History · Sources of Medieval Indian History
UGC NET June 2019 History
Passage
The political history of the early medieval period saw the proliferation of states and land grants. Land grants to Brahmans played a significant role in the legitimation of political power and had a significant impact on agrarian relations. There was agrarian expansion in various parts of the subcontinent and rural societies became increasingly stratified. This was not a period of urban decay. This is most evident from South India where crafts, cities, trade and trade guilds flourished. Trade links between the subcontinent, China and South-East Asia expanded significantly. Devotional worship was a marked feature of religious thought and practice. Temples functioned not only as sacred spaces but also as the core of urban centres and as political symbols. The patronage they attracted made them points of convergence of the activities and aspirations of diverse social groups. Significant development occurred in the cultural sphere, including a range of texts in Sanskrit and vernacular languages. There was an efflorescence and refinement of temple architecture and sculpture, and distinct regional styles became apparent. During c. 600-1200 CE, the developments at the political, social, economic and cultural levels crystallized into distinct regional formations and patterns.
Which of the following statements are correct? Select the answer from the options given below.
- 1. There was a growth of sectarian religious groups during the early medieval period, among whom a doctrinal cult emphasising devotional worship gained popularity.
- 2. Temples became dynamic spaces, with political, social, cultural and economic functions all rolled into one.
- 3. The urban centres of early medieval India can be grouped into only two categories, administrative towns and commercial towns.
- 4. As the temples attracted diversified social groups, they dented the narrative favouring exclusion.
A1, 2 and 4 only ✓ Correct
B2, 3 and 4 only
C1, 2, 3 and 4
D3 and 4 only
Correct answer: (A) 1, 2 and 4 only — Statements one, two and four are correct, so the answer is 1, 2 and 4 only.
Explanation
★Statements one, two and four are correct, so the answer is 1, 2 and 4 only.
★Sectarian religious groups grew, and a doctrinal cult of devotional worship gained popularity.
★Temples became dynamic spaces combining political, social, cultural and economic functions.
★By attracting diverse social groups, temples worked against narratives of exclusion.
★The third statement is wrong, as early medieval towns cannot be reduced to only two categories.
★There were also cultural and temple towns, so only the first, second and fourth statements hold.
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