Question

How are indigenous literary sources helpful in understanding the history of the medieval India?

Answer 1

As compared with Ancient India, a large number of literary sources are available for the medieval period. They provide a more reliable information and insight about the life of the people of the period. These sources inform us of the administrative set up of the rulers, their theory of kingship, military achievements etc. They also reflect the state of cultural, economic, political and religious institutions.

While utilising these resources we should keep in view the following points:

(1) Absolute historical truth is elusive, (2) Absolute impartial history is rather impossible, (3) Every kind of prejudice, caste, faith, personal racial, regional and religious etc., possessed by the historian has exercised some influence in recording events and facts, (4) All possible efforts need to be made to sift facts from fiction, (5) Since most of the books were written on the command of the rulers or by them, they contain material which has to be treated with care and caution, (6) Different sources to be used while arriving at some definite conclusion.

Answer 2

Explanation:

Indigenous literary sources were created within the country which chiefly include manuscript and chronicks. The manuscript were mainly written on palm leaves, clothes and later on paper as well the chronicles were the records of the rule of kings and their kingdoms. Hence, the indigenous sources mostly conveyed the lifestyle of ruler, their families and wars which they fought