North Indian Medieval Fort History Study

Abstract

The studies of Assistant Professor Masahiko Mita, Graduate School of Humanities, Nagoya University, Japan, have included the early medieval history (6th to 13th centuries) of Rajasthan. Recently, he has been investigating the later medieval period and beyond (after the 14th century). By interpreting satellite images of forts, Mita has constructed an understanding of the typology of forts and their historical change. He found that 8th to 18th century Rajasthan forts as royal capitals are classified into three major types: large-scale hilltop fort; minor hilltop fort + fortified palace-city; and flat fortified city. In addition, he discovered that the large-scale hilltop fort was comparatively popular before the 13th century but from the 16th century onward, especially in the 17th century, both the minor hilltop fort + fortified palace-city and flat fortified city had become standard as major Rajput kingdoms became stable as regional royalty under the Mughal rule. Mita is interested in expanding on his findings to date in order to elucidate how the changes related to the state system, military conditions, urban settlements and socio-economic systems of those times. He will consider the politico-economic meanings of the changes from the aspect of the relation of kingship and commerce. Mita is also working to explain the structural transformation of royal capital cities by considering the changing Rajput state formation of the same periods. Ultimately, this work will shed light on historical trends from a different viewpoint and methodology to former studies that used literary sources.