The history of towns in early medieval and medieval India has not so far received much attention from scholars. This is probably because of the paucity of the source materials. It would at once be admitted that the study of towns can be rewarding only when it is undertaken on the basis of archaeological sources, and that in the context of the study of early medieval and medieval towns in India archaeological evidence is not forthcoming. The argument cannot however be carried too far. The present study, which uses the inscriptions and literary works as the primary source of information for reconstructing the history of towns in early medieval Karnataka, shows that such a work can be successfully undertaken even in the absence of any excavated remains of urban sites.

From the conceptual point of view it has been argued that the first 12 centuries of the Christian era admit of three board phases so far as the process of urbanization is concerned. The first phase covers the first four centuries of the Christian era which marked the growth of urban settlements with commerce and administrative necessities as the chief factors of urbanization. The second phase, covering the next five centuries, has been found to be a period of urban decay with administrative and military necessities as the only basis of an urban settlement. The maps also show that the towns belonging to this phase were either military garrisons or administrative headquarters. The next two centuries however marked the revival of old towns.

and the foundations of new ones. Most of the towns during the period were mercantile settlements, the administration of which was often entrusted to merchants and merchant guilds. The accompanying map dealing with the chronological and regional distribution of mercantile towns in Karnataka illustrate the process. The inset graph dealing with the chronological development of mercantile towns in Karnataka serves as an additional illustration of this process.

I express my deep sense of gratitude to my Supervisor Dr. R.N. Nandi, University Professor of History, Patna University. Besides setting an exacting standard of scholarship and giving competent guidance at every stage of the work, he has been a source of constant inspiration to me. I am also grateful to professor R.S. Sharma whose abiding interest in my work and affectionate advice have been of invaluable help to me. I cannot forget Professor R L. Shukla, Professor B P. Mazumdar, Dr. Qayamudin Ahmad, Dr. B.K. Pandeya, Shri P.K. Shukla and my friend Waseem Abdin without whose help and encounragement it would have been difficult for me to bring the present work to a successful completion.

I am obliged to the Patna University for the grant of Hathwa Raj Research fellowship and to the Indian Council of Historical Research. New Delhi for awarding me a fellowship which enabled me to devote greater attention to my work. I am thankful to Shri Nand Kishore Singh of Janaki Prakashan, for printing this book.