Warfare and Migration

• Continuous warfare caused widespread suffering in early and medieval societies.
• Displacement and migration of people were common from 14th to 17th centuries.
• Bahmani conflicts were partly due to the influx of Turks, Afghans, and Persians into the Deccan.
• Vijayanagar region saw migration of Kannada and Telugu warriors and their groups into Tamil areas.
• Peasants, artisans, and toiling classes were also involved in these migrations.

2. Social Inequality

• A growing gap between rulers and masses was evident.
• Foreign travelers documented:
  • Great wealth among kings, nobles, and officials in cities like Vijayanagar and Bijapur.
  • Widespread poverty among common people.
  • Existence of slavery.

3. Revenue and Taxation

• State revenue was mainly from taxing the people.
• Under the Sangama dynasty, expansion led to:
  • Harsh tax collection methods.
  • Peasant revolts – Notably in 1430 CE in Central Tamil Nadu.
  • Revolt was caste-neutral and involved basic producers.
  • Prince of Vijayanagar pacified them by reducing taxes.

4. Role of Nayakas

• Nayakas in the 16th century promoted:
  • Craft production (e.g., weaving).
  • Tax concessions to artisans for economic encouragement.

5. Economic Transition

• Until 13th century: Economy was agrarian.
• From 14th century: Shift to a more commercial economy.
• Rise of money economy and use of coined money.

6. Artisans and Urban Growth

• Artisans like weavers, smiths, masons gained importance.
• Known as Pattadai (workshop people) or Kasaya-vargam (cash tax-payers).
• Commercial/weaving centres emerged in:
  • Northern Tamil Nadu
  • Rayalaseema
  • Coastal Andhra

7. Textile Trade and Foreign Interest

• Textiles became a key export.
• Attracted Portuguese and European traders from early 16th century.