The Elementary Structure of Medievalism: Religion, Civil Society and the State

Although Hindu culture & Muslim culture in India possess distinctive features & different internal systems, the underlying structure of both these religions is medievalism. In the elementary triad of Hinduism -- the Brahmin, the king, & the sannyasi (recouncers) -- the relation between the Brahmin & sannyasi can be described as the medieval dichotomy of collective & individual, group & person, this world & the other. Between Brahmin & king & king & sannyasi, the dichotomy is status-power. The Brahmin possesses religious & social virtue; the sannyasi, religious but asocial virtue & power; & the king, social but areligious power. The Muslim trinity of shari'at, tariqat, & hukumat has the same respective dichotomies between collective & individual & status & power. These both correspond to the elementary structure of medievalism with the trinity of society, religion, & the state. 3 Figures, 16 References. M. Pflum