Rethinking India's Past presents a comprehensive and accessible account of the history of early India. Covering a long time span–from the Vedic period to twelfth century AD-it explores the linkages between social formations and modes of production. The essays challenge and critique several stereotypes about early India. The book looks at key aspects of early Indian history–political ideas and institutions; economic patterns and developments; and social orders and practices. It also examines the transition from ancient to medieval, underlining the accompanying socio-economic changes and characteristics of the early medieval period. The author provides an incisive account of ancient social formations underscoring themes like oriental despotism, position of Sudras, feudalism, urban decay, and sati. Discussing various approaches to history writing in India, R.S. Sharma Cautions against the uncritical use of models and theories. He surveys the various ideological frameworks of exploring the past including the colonialist, nationalist, and materialist schools. Using rich array of source material, including literary and archeological sources as well as linguistic and tribal studies, this book spanning more than six decades of scholarship will be essential for students, teachers, and scholars of early Indian history.
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