Characteristics of early medieval India

Early medieval India, roughly from the seventh to the twelfth century, is often described as an age of regional states, land grants and temple towns. A concrete example is a village granted to a Brahmana or temple: the grant transferred revenue rights, created a local centre of authority, and left an inscription that historians still use as evidence. Understanding this period means moving beyond a story of decline after the Guptas and seeing new forms of economy, society and kingship that shaped later India.