SOCIAL FORMATIONS OF EARLY SOUTH INDIA(OIP)

📘 Book Details

• Author: Rajan Gurukkal

• Publisher: Oxford University Press

• Language: English

• Edition: 1

• ISBN: 9780198089391

• Pages: 368

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches

📝 About the Book

Social Formations in Early South India by Rajan Gurukkal offers a thorough and insightful analysis of the social formations in present-day Tamil Nadu and Kerala from prehistoric times to the early medieval period. This meticulously researched book traces the transformation from agro-pastoral societies to agrarian ones, analyzing critical factors such as economy, technology, and the processes of state formation that played a pivotal role in shaping early South Indian society.

The volume delves deeply into the transition from clan and lineage-based social structures to those defined by hereditary occupations and caste. Additionally, it explores the social and cultural implications of the spread of writing and its role in structuring the new social orders. The book also examines the institutional and structural features that defined the evolving social formations, providing a unique lens through which to understand the ancient and medieval history of the region.

Through a careful and conceptual review of the term 'social formation,' this work also engages with key debates surrounding social change in South India, making it an essential resource for anyone interested in the historical, sociological, and archaeological study of the region.

Ideal for students, scholars, and educators in the fields of ancient and medieval history, archaeology, and sociology, this book provides valuable insights into the foundational shifts that have shaped the socio-political landscape of South India.