Memory, History, and Culture in Medieval South Asia 8th to 14th Centuries

This book explores the dynamic interplay between memory and history during the crucial period from the 8th to the 14th century in medieval India. It takes up an interdisciplinary approach and includes contributions from seasoned scholars and emerging researchers across memory studies, folklore, ethnography, linguistics, literary studies, intellectual history, sociology, epigraphy, and archeology. Thematically organized, the book examines how the past was transmitted through collective memory, including inscriptions, monuments, royal narratives, folklore, language, travelogues, memoirs, religious practices, and ethnography of diverse communities. Departing from conventional historiographical narratives, it analyzes the medieval politico-cultural landscape of the region through a geo-cultural lens, emphasizing historical interactions and cultural preservation in collective memory. An invaluable resource for academics and professionals in history and related disciplines, this book also appeals to general readers interested in Indian history and culture. It is a rich and informative reference resource for students, practitioners, and enthusiasts in social sciences.

PART I: States, Regions and Memory.- Chapter 1: Dwarasamudra to Orugallu to Devagiri: Regions and Regionalism in Geo-Cultural Permeation, 10th to 14th Centuries.- Chapter 2: Karkota Chronicles: Navigating the Geo-Cultural Tapestry of an Ancient Dynasty.- Chapter 3: The Kadambs of the West Coast- A Socio-Cultural Outlook.- Chapter 4: The Katyuris of Central Himalaya: Early Medieval Uttarakhand 7th -11th Centuries.- Chapter 5: Delhi and the Rajput Legacy: Tradition, Continuity and Memory.- Chapter 6: Battle of Narmada – Reconfiguring Borders of Influence: The Chalukya – Pushyabhuti Commentary through Inscriptions.- PART II: Vernaculars, Folklore and Regional Histories.- Chapter 7: Tracing Cultural Heritage of Sikkim through Folklores, Myths and Legends in Historical Context.- Chapter 8: Mewar 8th to 14th century: Unearthing Regional Histories through Vernacular Literature.- PART III: Emerging Regional Identities.- Chapter 9: Crafting Identities in Medieval Andhradesa.- Chapter 10: The Nomadic Cultural Networks of Thar.- Chapter 11: Tracing the Coastal Settlements from the 8th to 14th Centuries: Africans in India.- PART IV: Spirituality, Religious Culture and Regional Histories.- Chapter 12: Spirituality, Refuge and Religious Identities: Interrogating the ‘Naam Dharma’ in Medieval Assam.- Chapter 13: Reminiscence of Buddhism: Ascent from 800CE to 1400CE.

Umesh Ashok Kadam is Professor at CHS, SSS, JNU, New Delhi, Professor of Medieval Indian History and Early Modern History at the Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Former, Member Secretary, Council of Historical Research, New Delhi, and Member, of many apex governing bodies with a 24 years long teaching and research experience at various universities at the post-graduate level.

He specializes in History of Deccan and Western India, History of the Marathas and European powers, Socio-economic and Cultural History of the Deccan, Trade and Commerce in the 17th and 18th century Konkan coast, Bhakti movement tenth to seventeenth century, Maritime History of India with special reference to Silk Routes, Urbanization in the Medieval Maratha country. Since the last two decades, he has been visiting universities in Netherlands, France, Portugal, and UK to promote advanced research on History of Deccan.