Abstract
This work intends to explore the nature of socio-political change in historical periods usually referred to as interregnal which, for the purposes of this paper, is defined as a period of discontinuity or gap in political and social organization. It traces the survival of a historical monument through two interregnal centuries of medieval Indian sub-continental history (11th–12th and 14th) to argue that modern historiographical templates which study these periods as precursors or remnants of succeeding and preceding centuries, respectively, do not sufficiently explore the socio-political possibilities innate in these periods of distributed political agency. In the context of Indian history, while historians have focused on the confrontational aspect of Hindu-Muslim polities or communities in interregnal centuries, I suggest that these periods provided fertile ground for political innovation and negotiation, thus breaking the confrontational stasis usually associated with regnal centuries.
Highlights
For the modern historian of the Indian subcontinent, certain periods represent an elusive temporality
The Udayeshwara temple which lies in the modern Udaipur village of the Ganjbasoda district of Madhya Pradesh today is one such unique example which presents in its monumentality and inherent classicism of architectural style, a moment of architectural and political effervescence in a period of regional fragmentation and political oblivion for the Paramara rulers of Malwa
Interregnum centuries are unique because they provide insights into the interactions between pre-existing and emerging historical elements
Summary
For the modern historian of the Indian subcontinent, certain periods represent an elusive temporality. Chattopadhyay, who argued for the de-linking of the developments of this period as remnants or precursors of preceding and succeeding centuries He spoke of independent, local state-formation at regional and sub-regional levels coinciding with the flourish of multiple intense but regional economies, giving birth to a large number of widely distributed suburban centres of religion, culture, and politics [1]. Local state-formation at regional and sub-regional levels coinciding with the flourish of multiple intense but regional economies, giving birth to a large number of widely distributed suburban centres of religion, culture, and politics [1] This is an important lesson for any student of ‘interregnum’ centuries, such as the 8th–12th, the 14th–15th, or the 18th centuries which are characterised as ‘dark ages’, periods of dynastic gaps or decentralisation, as opposed to periods of integrated, interconnected macro-regional empires like those of the Guptas, the Delhi Sultans, or the Mughals. This has significant ramifications for our understanding of heightened constructional activity in ‘interregnum’ centuries
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
