Gramapaddhati, a Medieval Text from South-western India

Abstract

Gramapaddhati, a text of south-western India belonging to the medieval period, reveals the traditional history of the brahmanas of coastal Karnataka. The text can be considered as a caste purana, as it presents a history of people belonging to particular communities. While the text legitimises the social position of a few groups, it denigrates that of others. The text is useful in understanding the relationship between brahmanical and non-brahmanical groups of the region. In addition, the text gives information regarding internal migration of the brahmanas. The emergence of an agrarian society in the area is indicated here too.