8 - Classification and Debate
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 May 2013
Summary
The broad sweep survey of the evolution of the Ahom state supplemented with an examination of tools and technology, production and production relations, unveiled hitherto unfocused facets of its history. The attempt at tracing the evolution of the Ahom state through the various stages of its evolution certainly opens up the possibility of placing it under a distinct category. This could be achieved only after determining its dominant mode of production. This is easier said than done as all attempts at determining the dominant mode of production of a society usually lead to the centre stage of a yet unresolved debate on whether India can be categorised under the Asiatic Mode of Production or it would be in the fairness of existing evidence to categorise it as having feudalism.
Here, it needs mention that the debate about the Indian situation basically takes into account the historical developments of north and south India and does not take into account the peculiar circumstances and specific developments in the northeastern region of the country. It was precisely due to this shortcoming that the original idea was conceived to focus the microscope on historical developments in this part of the country, with particular reference to the Ahom state, and ascertain whether the generalisations that had been made regarding the rest of India would also be applicable here. The question is whether, the Asiatic Mode of Production (AMP), generally dismissed as inapplicable to the rest of India, would be relevant in the case of Assam, or whether the feudalism debate could be extended to include historical developments here.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Science, Technology and Social Formation in Medieval Assam , pp. 168 - 186Publisher: Foundation BooksPrint publication year: 2012