Discuss Al-Biruni’s understanding of the caste system.
Al-Biruni’s description about caste system as he understood. Al-Biruni tried to explain the caste system by looking far parallels in other societies. He described that in ancient Persia, four social categories were recognised.
(i)knight and princes.
(ii)monks
(iii)fire-priests and lawyers; physicians, astronomers, other scientists;
(iv)Finally, peasants and artisans. He attempted to suggest that social divisions were not unique to India.
His description of the caste system in India was deeply influenced by his study of Sanskrit texts. According to these texts, the highest castes were the Brahmins as they were created from the head of the Brahmins. The Kshatriyas were the next caste created from the shoulders and hands of the Brahmin. The Vaishyas and Shudras were created from the thighs and feet of the Brahmin respectively. Thus, he sought to understand the Indian caste system by looking for parallels in other societies. Nothing that ancient Persian society was divided into four categories he realized that social division was not unique to India. But despite accepting the caste system he was against the notion of pollution. He believed that according to the laws of nature anything which becomes impure ultimately becomes pure again, e.g. the sun clears the air. The concept of social pollution is the bedrock of the caste system. Thus, the caste system was according to him contrary to the laws of nature. He failed to realize that the caste system was not as rigid as portrayed in the Sanskrit texts.
Write a note on the Kitab-ul-Hind.
How were the lives of forest dwellers transformed in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?
Discuss the extent to which Bernier’s account enables historians to reconstruct contemporary rural society.
Discuss the ways in which panchayats and village headmen regulated rural society.
On an outline map of the world mark the countries visited by Ibn Battuta. What are the seas that he may have crossed?
Examine the role played by zamindars in Mughal India.
What were the distinctive features of the Mughal nobility? How was their relationship with the emperor shaped?
Analyse the evidence for slavery provided by Ibn Battuta.
What do you think was the significance of the rituals associated with the mahanavami dibba?
On an outline map of the world, mark the areas which had economic links with the Mughal Empire, and trace out possible routes of communication.
Examine the role played by zamindars in Mughal India.
What were the elements of the practice of sati that drew the attention of Bernier?
Identify the elements that went into the making of the Mughal ideal of kingship.
Describe the major teachings of either Kabir or Baba Guru Nanak, and the ways in which these have been transmitted.
What were the similarities and differences between the be-shari‘a and ba-shari‘a sufi traditions?
How were the lives of forest dwellers transformed in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?
On an outline map of the world, mark approximately Italy, Portugal, Iran and Russia. Trace the routes the travellers mentioned on p.176 would have taken to reach Vijayanagara.
Examine how and why rulers tried to establish connections with the traditions of the Nayanars and the sufis.
On an outline map of India, plot three major sufi shrines, and three places associated with temples (one each of a form of Vishnu, Shiva and the goddess).
What impression of the lives of the ordinary people of Vijayanagara can you cull from the various descriptions in the chapter?