Abstract
The political formation in early medieval North India was characterised by subordinate rulers who were indispensable components of a monarchical state of the period. Their agency and power relations with the kingship had critical bearings on the early medieval history of Bengal under the Pālas. The epigraphical sources and the Rāmacarita of Sandhyākaranandin show diverse origins of the subordinate rulers, who got the position through their association with the Pāla kings. The royal grants issued on their application show their attempts to enhance their local control and position by negotiation with the king. The Pāla kings got the upper hand in this negotiation by countering the attempts of subordinate rulers and strengthening the local control through new measures. Their success however brought out a conjuncture at which social contradictions and tensions exploded as the Kaivarta rebellion, which resulted in their heavy dependence on subordinate rulers.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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.
