Institutional Structures, Economic Networks, and Cultural Authority on Socio-Economic Role of Temples in Ancient India

Temples in ancient India served as dynamic socio-economic institutions, not just sacred spaces. They managed land, labor, taxation, and trade while legitimizing political authority and reinforcing social hierarchies. This study, using epigraphic records, inscriptions, and architectural evidence from major temple centers like the Brihadeeswara Temple and the Konark Sun Temple, reinterprets temples as corporate bodies that mediated between kingship, community, and economy. It challenges traditional views by emphasizing their multifaceted roles in agrarian, mercantile, and state structures.

Petchimuthu, S. (2026). Institutional Structures, Economic Networks, and Cultural Authority on Socio-Economic Role of Temples in Ancient India. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 1651–1654. https://doi.org/10.21275/sr26224123318