The Struggle for Empire: The History and Culture of the Indian People (Volume V)

Book Details

• Author: R. C. Majumdar
• Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan
• Language: English
• Edition: 2001
• ISBN: 9788193867907
• Pages: 1000 (142 B/W Illustrations)
• Cover: Hardcover
• Dimensions: 24 cm x 16.5 cm
• Weight: 1.60 kg

About the Book

This volume, titled The Struggle for Empire, is the fifth in a monumental series that presents the history of India as written by Indian scholars. Covering the transition period from A.D. 1000 to 1300, it examines the end of independent Hindu rule and the emergence of Turkish dominance over large parts of India.

Key Themes:

1. Struggles for Supremacy:

   • Chronicles the unsuccessful attempts of Turkish invaders in North India, the Chalukyas in the Deccan, and the Cholas in South India.
   • Provides a detailed account of various rulers and dynasties, both in the north and south of India.

2. Cultural Achievements:

   • Explores advancements in art, architecture, literature, law, and administration during this period.
   • Highlights the contributions of Sanskritic and Dravidian literature, including the first references to Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, and Telugu.

3. Comprehensive Coverage:

   • Details the history of over 50 dynasties, their achievements, and their struggles.
   • Features extensive sections on language and literature, reflecting the linguistic and cultural diversity of the period.

4. Visual and Scholarly Enrichment:

   • Includes 57 text-figures, 57 plates, and 2 maps to vividly illustrate the historical narrative.
   • Provides an exhaustive bibliography, chronology, genealogy, and a comprehensive index.

Contributors

This volume features the expertise of over 20 renowned scholars, including:

• Dr. D.C. Ganguly
• Sri Nihar Ranjan Ray
• Dr. Paramatma Saran
• Dr. R.C. Majumdar
• Dr. D.C. Sarkar
• Prof. R. Sathianathaier
• Dr. U.N. Ghoshal
• Dr. A.D. Puslakar
• Prof. H.D. Velankar
• Dr. S.K. Chatterji

Highlights

• Historical Context: Offers unparalleled insight into the political and cultural transitions during the early medieval period of Indian history.
• Linguistic Diversity: Elaborates on the emergence of regional languages and their literary significance.
• Scholarly Depth: A collaborative work of distinguished historians, ensuring authoritative perspectives on every aspect of this dynamic era.
• Illustrative Content: Enriched with black-and-white illustrations, plates, and maps to support the textual content.

This book is an indispensable resource for historians, researchers, and anyone keen on understanding the nuances of India's medieval history.