The Sultanate of Delhi, 711–1526 A.D. c7.s3: Society and culture
The Sultanate of Delhi, 711–1526 A.D. c7.s3
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Society and culture
c7.s3.1
We get a clear picture of the social and cultural condition of the people from many inscriptions and writings of foreign travellers, Chinese and Arab. Caste system was gradually becoming rigid. Nevertheless, foreigners could become Hindus and get absorbed in our society and be given a place in the caste hierarchy. Attempts were made to keep castes to their spheres of duty, but without success. During this period some of the Brahmans took to the profession of arms, while some of the Kshatriyas lived as merchants. Vaisyas and Sudras were powerful rulers. Though people married generally in their own castes, inter-marriages between different castes were not unknown.
c7.s3.2
In Central Hindustan a majority of the people were vegetarians. They did not kill any living being and did not drink liquor. Nor did they eat onions or garlic. The people of this region did not consider those belonging to north-western India as quite pure. There was untouchability and *chandalas* were required to make their presence known by striking a piece of wood while entering the market-place or the quarters inhabited by upper class people. There was very little of seclusion of women. Women of the upper classes took a prominent share in administration and in social life. Girls belonging to upper classes were given liberal education. The practice of *swayamvara* or public choice of a husband was not unknown. Upper class people practised polygamy. Women, however, were not allowed to marry a second time. The practice of *sati*, that is, burning of widows on the funeral pyre of their husbands, was becoming fashionable among the ruling families.
c7.s3.3
The country, particularly the Madhyadesha, was thickly populated. The people were prosperous and happy. Their material condition was very good. Wealth was, however, confined to a small group of people who were very rich indeed. It was considered obligatory on, and, in fact, a pious duty of, the rich people to establish charitable institutions and to alleviate the poverty and sufferings of the poor. The rich built roads, *dharmashalas* and other buildings of public utility. They laid out gardens and constructed tanks and sunk wells for public use. There were houses of charity which provided free board and lodging to travellers. There were charitable dispensaries. The people, on the whole, were noted for their righteousness and benevolence.
c7.s3.4
All over the country there were schools and colleges, and the people, in general, were well educated. The universities of Nalanda in Bihar and Valabhi in western India were the most famous educational institutions in the country. There were other universities, too, particularly at Kashi (Banaras), Uddandapura and Vikramasila in Bihar, and some other holy places in northern and southern India. There was a big Sanskrit college at Dhar in Malwa and another at Ajmer. There were colleges of astronomy and other sciences also. Besides the Vedas and other religious literature and Puranas and Dharmashastra, other subjects, such as science, astronomy and medicine, were taught in most of these colleges and universities.
c7.s3.5
It would appear from the above narrative that economically, culturally and spiritually, the condition of the people on the eve of the Arab invasion was, indeed, good. The administration of the various States was, on the whole, efficient and it consulted the welfare of the people. The main drawback, however, was the lack of political unity and a sense of patriotism.