09-06-2003, 05:10 AM
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Transitional phase in history
THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY IN INDIAN HISTORY â Evolution or Revolution? P.J. Marshallâ Editor; Oxford University Press, YMCA Library Building, Jai Singh Road, New Delhi-110001. Rs.650.
THE 18TH Century is an important watershed in the long and chequered history of India. The period saw the gradual decline of the mighty Mughal Empire that had for centuries, controlled most parts of the country except the extreme south. For a brief while, the Marathas appeared to replace the Mughal hegemony. But the power of the Marathas was irretrievably crushed by the British who, slowly but steadily, rose to political prominence throughout South Asia.
The historiography of the 18th Century India has, for long, been monopolised by the transition of Mughal provinces into successor states often dominated by rebel or splinter groups not belonging to the royal stock.
Most of the earlier writings strongly regard the 18th century as a period of intense revolutionary changes that in turn, paved the way for further revolution. Recent research, however, reveals the "evolutionary nature of these changes, thereby indicating the unbroken continuities between the Mughal Empire and its immediate successors".
Against this backdrop, even the frightening Battle of Plassey (June, 1757) may not exactly be the "turning point" in history but one among a series of events that finally led to the British rule in India.
The book under review, a collection of 15 papers or essays by eminent historians from all parts of the globe, critically explores the nature, volume and pace of political and economic change in the 18th Century India. All the essays were earlier contributed to academic journals or books.
The first four essays provide a generalised account of the movements and events of the 18th Century India. They also probe the historical theories and problems pertaining to this period.
The essay by Irfan Habib will be of special interest to students of economics and commercial history as it deals with the variegated agricultural and revenue systems, industries, exports and imports.
Most of the subsequent essays are detailed and in-depth analyses of specific political systems or events confined to a particular region or area. Bernard Cohn's essay furnishes instances to prove that the decline of the Mughal power in Delhi emboldened several provincial governors and clan leaders to assert independent political control over specific areas or principalities.
The only essay exclusively dealing with South India is that of Susan Bayly. She provides a graphic description of the politico-religious history, administrative policies and court culture of the Nawabs of Arcot. The final essay by Rajat Datta focuses on agrarian economy, with special reference to Bengal region. It includes nine interesting graphs highlighting the fluctuating economic fortunes of the 18th century Bengal.
The book concludes that this was a period of evolution and continuity rather than change. It is a must read for all those keen to know India's complex transition from the medieval to the modern.
S. SURESH
Transitional phase in history
THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY IN INDIAN HISTORY â Evolution or Revolution? P.J. Marshallâ Editor; Oxford University Press, YMCA Library Building, Jai Singh Road, New Delhi-110001. Rs.650.
THE 18TH Century is an important watershed in the long and chequered history of India. The period saw the gradual decline of the mighty Mughal Empire that had for centuries, controlled most parts of the country except the extreme south. For a brief while, the Marathas appeared to replace the Mughal hegemony. But the power of the Marathas was irretrievably crushed by the British who, slowly but steadily, rose to political prominence throughout South Asia.
The historiography of the 18th Century India has, for long, been monopolised by the transition of Mughal provinces into successor states often dominated by rebel or splinter groups not belonging to the royal stock.
Most of the earlier writings strongly regard the 18th century as a period of intense revolutionary changes that in turn, paved the way for further revolution. Recent research, however, reveals the "evolutionary nature of these changes, thereby indicating the unbroken continuities between the Mughal Empire and its immediate successors".
Against this backdrop, even the frightening Battle of Plassey (June, 1757) may not exactly be the "turning point" in history but one among a series of events that finally led to the British rule in India.
The book under review, a collection of 15 papers or essays by eminent historians from all parts of the globe, critically explores the nature, volume and pace of political and economic change in the 18th Century India. All the essays were earlier contributed to academic journals or books.
The first four essays provide a generalised account of the movements and events of the 18th Century India. They also probe the historical theories and problems pertaining to this period.
The essay by Irfan Habib will be of special interest to students of economics and commercial history as it deals with the variegated agricultural and revenue systems, industries, exports and imports.
Most of the subsequent essays are detailed and in-depth analyses of specific political systems or events confined to a particular region or area. Bernard Cohn's essay furnishes instances to prove that the decline of the Mughal power in Delhi emboldened several provincial governors and clan leaders to assert independent political control over specific areas or principalities.
The only essay exclusively dealing with South India is that of Susan Bayly. She provides a graphic description of the politico-religious history, administrative policies and court culture of the Nawabs of Arcot. The final essay by Rajat Datta focuses on agrarian economy, with special reference to Bengal region. It includes nine interesting graphs highlighting the fluctuating economic fortunes of the 18th century Bengal.
The book concludes that this was a period of evolution and continuity rather than change. It is a must read for all those keen to know India's complex transition from the medieval to the modern.
S. SURESH