Author: Noboru Karashima
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 2002
Language: English
Pages: 350
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0195658450
Description
This detailed statistical analysis of Vijayanagar inscriptions in Tamil Nadu concerns the activities of the nayakas. The inscriptions record grants of various kinds, and this study throws valuable light on the nature of the Vijayanagar state and the role of its key functionaries.
In the history of the nayakas of the Vijayanagar kingdom, in South India, the period from 1326 to 1675 is particularly important. The nayaka system was dominant from the fifteen to the early seventeenth century. The nayakas were key state administrators, functionaries, and revenue collectors, and as such were liable to be transferred. Although they played a very important administrative role, there are no detailed studies on them except those on some big families.
This detailed statistical analysis of Vijayanagar inscriptions in Tamil Nadu concerns the activities of the nayakas. The inscriptions record grants of various kinds, including land, money, and village; the remission of taxes; the construction of irrigation works; and mediation in disputes between 'brahmans', some of whom were nayakas. The concordance will go a long way in helping scholars undertake further study of these inscriptions. While nearly two-third of the Tamil inscriptions remain unpublished, the sample assembled by Karashima is sufficiently large to make some generalizations about the nayakas and their role in the Vijayanagar kingdom.
Karashima has made a significant scholarly contribution to vijayanagar nayaka studies and Tamil epigraphy. He critiques Burton Stein's interpretation of the Vijayanagar nayakas as simply local chieftains or intruding warriors; instead he argues that they were key functionaries under the king's control displaying a tendency to grow into feudal lords towards the end of the Vijayanagar rule.
This study throws valuable light on the nature of the Vijayanagar state and the role of its key functionaries. It will interest scholars of medieval South Indian history, society, culture, and polity.
Contents
Preface
Introduction
PART ONE: STUDIES
1. Importance of Nayaka Studies and Their Development: A Critique of Burton
Stein
2. Nayaka Rule in North Arcot and South Arcot Districts: Nayakas as Feudal
Lords
3. The Family of Mallappa Nayaka: Transferability of the Vijayanagar Nayakas
4. Nayakkattanam and Sirmai in the Vijayanagar Inscriptions of Tamil Nadu:
Territory Bestowed on Nayakas
PART TWO: CONCORDANCE
Explanatory Note to Alphabetical List of Nayakas
1. Alphabetical List of Nayakas
2. Chronological List of Nayakas
3. Topographical List of Nayakas
4. List of Identified Nayakas
Bibliography
Index 1: Index to Introduction and Part One
Index 2: Index to the Alphabetical List of Nayakas