Religious Institutions and Cults in the Deccan: A.D. 600-A.D. 1000

The present book draws attention to the institutional basis of medieval sectarianism and shows that the temples and monasteries became, in the hands of a powerful priesthood, effective means of religious control and publicity. It highlights the increasing patronage extended by heterogeneous social ranks including the landed gentry, moneyed bureaucrats and traders to these institutions. This changed them into big employers and encouraged the growth of feudal ties and manorial interests which the priest of a temple or the superior of a monastery tried to preserve and perpetuate on a hereditary basis.

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About the Author(s)

RAMENDRA NATH NANDI who is already known for his incisive work on Religious history of early India has to late been coming to grips with issues in Vedic history. In 1984, he presided over the Ancient India section of the Indian History Congress. At present, he is teaching history in the Patna University.