The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c10.18

v1.c10.18

Secondly, a critical study of this period is important for the history of the Hindus in general. For it will probably reveal some of the forces which vitally influenced Hindu society, religion and polity, the marks of which can be traced even to this day. But a critical study of the period is perhaps more important for the history of the Turks and Afghans in India. When they conquered Northern India, they could not at once change the whole system of administration of the country. Local government, revenue administration and many other features of Hindu polity must have continued unchanged under their régime. A careful analysis of this data from the inscriptions and other records of the Hindu states cannot therefore fail to be of supreme value if we would rightly understand the beginnings of Muslim rule in India. It will help us to judge how far, if at all, the Turkish and Afghan rulers borrowed their methods of administration from their Hindu predecessors.