Early Indian Religion and Society

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Early Indian Religion and Society examines the gradual disappearance of sacrificial liturgy in South Asia in the first millennium BCE, prompting priestly brahmanas to look towards subaltern rituals and clients, particularly südras. The growth of urbanization intensified social tensions as well as dissent against sectarian authorities, ultimately leading to the break-up of all major religious sects. As a result, the ideology of total devotion (Bhakti) to a supreme personal lord-lauded in the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita-spread across the subcontinent. The Bhakti movement and the increasingly restrictive caste system prompted lower castes to aspire to a higher social status.

The volume then moves into exploring how temple-centric cults became the norm in the first millennium CE. During this period, the overarching influence of tantric cults engulfed most major religious sects, encouraging the proliferation of black magic and superstition. The increasing regimentation of the caste organization prompted upward social mobility in lower segments of society. The predominance of matrilocal and matrilineal families in the peninsular region put women at par with men. The urban places flourished or declined as according the society to which these were integrated. This book examines the evidence for these important shifts and provides a comprehensive view of the early Indian social and religious context.

Ramendra Nath Nandi is former Professor of History, Patna University. His major publications are: The Rgveda: In its Historical Setting (2018); An Outline of the Aryan Civilization (2017); Ideology and Environment, Situating the Origin of Vedic Culture (2009); Aryans Revisited (2001); State Formation, Agrarian Growth and Social Change in Feudal South India, AD 600-1200 (2000); Prachin Bharat Me Dharma Ke Samajik Adhar (in Hindi, 1998); Social Roots of Religion in Ancient India (1986); Critical Edition of S.C. Nandimath's A Handbook of Vīraśaivism (London, 1942; revd. edn. 1979); and Religious Institutions and Cults in the Deccan (c. AD 600-1000) (1973).

This book is an assortment of twenty-three odd studies published at different times. However, seven of these are appearing for the first time in this volume.

The essays cover a period of nearly two millennia from 500 BCE to 1300 CE. During this long period society underwent severe churnings, some regional and others supra-regional.

The studies deal with changes in the social and religious life of people in the sub-continent or parts thereof. However, the interplay of political and economic forces always lay behind these developments. Since each of the studies is complete with notes and references, a separate bibliography has been dispensed with. The use of diacritic marks is largely confined to non-English words, although a slip here and there may not altogether be ruled out.