Society against the state : perspectives on the history of early Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

In most historical literature the conceptual 'state' has become a yardstick for measuring the degree of civilization achieved by any society. Such a Eurocentric notion has often precluded the understanding of local processes of power. This thesis is an attempt to study such processes in the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh between the third century B.C. and midfourth century A.D. The research has shown that one of the most advanced cultures of early India in fact resisted any of the conditions that could be used to define a state apparatus. The discussion begins with the study of the process of intensification of agriculture and the development of long distance trading networks. This is followed by an attempt to understand the nature of urbanism. Then the religious undercurrents that characterized the culture of early Andhra are discussed. The final chapter deals with the articulation of the local power structure which was characterized by a complicated strategy of marriage forging and the circulation of prestige goods in the hierarchy of the ruling groups. The thesis not only shows the importance of regional history, but also the advantage of adopting a sceptical attitude towards the current stereotypical notions about early India. It could only make research work even more challenging.