Chapter 1 Glorious India (Bharat)
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www.rbse.online Chapter 1 Glorious India (Bharat) - Beginning to 1206 AD From the earliest period, the history and Ramayana and the Mahabharata have been culture oflndia (Bharat) has been prestigious. India renowned texts representing the ideals and policies (Bharat) was known as the 'World Guru' and the oflndia (Bharat). Our Mahajanapada age has been 'Golden Sparrow'. Accepting the world as family the ideal ofRepublican and Constitutional system. (Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam) and praying for the Existence of various Janapadas is evident in Post welfare and good health of mankind (Sarve Vedic period. By this time, iron was extensively Bhavantu Sukhinah Sarv Santu Niramayah) are our used in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Western Bihar. ideals. The technique of using iron significantly transformed the lifestyle of people and as a result, On the basis of excavations and tendency of sedentary life settlement consolidated archaeological remains Indian (Bhartiya) culture in the society. Development of agriculture, appears to be ofuniversal nature. Indian (Bhartiya) industries, trade and commerce was instrumental in regions across sea were known as 'Dipantar'. the decline of the ancient tribal system and small Indians (Bhartiyas) travelling on powerful ships Janapadas were replaced by large Janapadas. With established their political and cultural empire by the advent of 6th century BC, Janapadas were travelling to Brahmadesh, Siam, Indonesia, evoloved in the form ofMahajanapadas. Malaysia, Australia, Borneo, Phillipines, Japan and Korea. The ports and naval power of ancient India In the beginning of the 6th century BC, (Bharat) were highly developed. Scholars have sovereign rule was completely absent in North mentioned about ships, sailing in the waters of India (Bharat). India (Bharat) was divided into Indus (Sindhu) river about 6000 years ago. Indians several Independent states. These states were larger (Bhartiyas) travelled in various countries of the and more powerful than the states of post Vedic world via waterways as well as roadways and Period. introduced Indian (Bhartiya) religion and culture to (i) Mahajanapada Period (600-325 BC)- residents of distant countries. These courageous people propagated Indian (Bhartiya) philosophy, Several large and powerful independent astrology, architecture, military science, political states were established during the 6th century BC in science, music and vedic treatises, all over the north India (Bharat). These states were known as world. Thus we notice an extremely developed the Mahajanapadas. As per the Buddhist text manifestation of the ancient Indian (Bhartiya) Anguttamikay 16 Mahajanapadas existed at that civilization. time- Indus (Sindhu)-Saraswati Civilization, S.No. Mahajanapadas Capital Vedic Civilization, civilization and culture 1. Kashi Varanasi prevalent during the time of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata have been a part of the Golden 2. Kuru Indraprastha I Period oflndia (Bharat). The Vedas are regarded as Hastinapur the encyclopaedia of knowledge. The Indus (Sindhu) - Saraswati Civilization is the best 3. Anga Champa civilization in respect of its architecture. The 4. Magadha Rajgriha/ Girivraja 1 अब पास बुक्स खरीदने का कोई ज셁रत नं| बाजार 륇ं म륇लने वाली पास बुक्स से बुत अच्छी पासबुक की फ्री पीडीऍफ़ www.rbse.online पर 15 जुलाई से उपलब्ध ोगी | www.rbse.online 5. Vajji Videha and Mithila dovvn in the Eastern part ofRajasthan. 6. Malla Kushavvati(Kushinara) Chief Janapadas of Rajasthan vvere as follovvs:- 7. Chedi Shaktimati (Sotthivati) Jaangal- 8. Vatsa Kaushambi In the Mahabharata period, the present 9. Kosala Ayodhya (divided into districts of Bikaner and Jodhpur vvere knovvn as tvvo parts in Buddhist Jangladesh. At some places, these have been period, Saket- the capital described as Kuru-Jangla and Madreya-Jangla. Ahichatrapur vvas the capital of this Janapada, ofNorthem part; vvhich is novv called Nagour. The king ofBikaner Shravasti-the capital of ovvned J angladesh so he called himself 'Jaangladhar Badshah'. 'Jai Jangaldhar Badshah' is Southern part) also inscribed in the royal symbol ofBikaner state. 10. Panchala Capital ofNorthem Matsya- Panchala-Ahichhatra, capital of Southern The region surrounding present Jaipur vvas Panchala -Kampilya called Matsya Mahajanapada. Its expanse vvas 11. Matsya ViratNagar from the surrounding hills ofChambal to the Jangal 12. Shoorsen Mathura (Methora/ region of river Sarasvvati. Alvvar and parts of Shoorsenai) Bharatpur vvere also included in this region. 13. Ashsak Potan or Pateli Viratnagar, vvhich is knovvn as Bairath at present, 14. Avanti Capital ofNorthem vvas its capital. Exact information about the Matsya Avanti- Ujjaini, capital of J anapada before the reign of Maurya king SouthemAvanti Bindusara is not available. It has been mentioned in Mahishmati the Mahabharata that a king named Shahaaj ruled 15. Gandhara Taxila the states of Chedi and Matsya. In the beginning, Matsya remained a part of Chedi but later on, it 16. Kamboja Rajpur/Hatak became a part ofthe huge Magadha empire. Among the above 16 Mahajanapadas, tvvo Shoorsen- types of states vvere present- Monarchy and Republic. Kosala, Vatsa, Avanti and Magadha vvere This Mahajanapada vvas situated in the the most povverful monarchies ofthat time. Several modem Brij region. Mathura vvas its capital. republics also existed in 6th century BC, major vvere Ancient Greek authors called this state 'Shoorsenoi' - Shakyas of Kapilvastu, Bhagas of Sunsumagiri, and its capital as 'Methora'. According to the Bulis of Allakapa, Kaalams of Kesaputta, Koliyas Mahabharata, Yadu (Yadava) dynasty ruled here. of Ramagram, Mallas of Kushinara, Pava of Most of the parts of Bharatpur, Dholpur and Mallas, Moriyas of Pippalivan, Lichhavis of Karauli districts came under Shoorsen Janapada. Vaishali, Videhas ofMithila. Eastern part ofAlvvar district vvas also in Shoorsen. Vasudeva's son Lord Krishna vvas linked vvith this Major Janapadas ofRajasthan- Janapada. In Rajasthan many Janpadas emerged vvith Shivi- the evolution of Vedic civilazation. Tribes of the Punjab like Malav, Shivi, A:rjunayan etc. vvhich Shivpur vvas the capital of Shivi Janapada vvere famous for courage and valour, migrated to and King Sushin had defeated it along vvith other Rajasthan as a result of Greek invasion. Thus the tribes in the battle often kings. Ancient Shivpur has roots of Janapada administration system vvere laid been identified vvith a place called Shorkot in present Pakistan. With passage of time, Shivi tribe 2 अब पास बुक्स खरीदने का कोई ज셁रत नं| बाजार 륇ं म륇लने वाली पास बुक्स से बुत अच्छी पासबुक की फ्री पीडीऍफ़ www.rbse.online पर 15 जुलाई से उपलब्ध ोगी | www.rbse.online of Southern Punjab began to reside in Mewar taxes. In such conditions, Magadha was in need ofa region ofRajasthan. person who could eliminate the problems which Nagari, situated near Chittorgarh ,was the had risen due to foreign invasions and establish the ideals of an all-powerful emperor by uniting the capital of this Janapad. Shivi coins have been state. excavated from various places of Mewar. Five Soon, Kautilya's student Chandragupta emerged on the poltical horizon of India (Bharat) cave edicts written in Brahmi script have been excavated from places near Mandsaur. From these and he established a new dynasty called Maurya dynasty. edicts, we come to know about the expansion of Shivijanapada from the West to South east. Chandragupta Maurya (322 BC-298 BC)- Despite the prevalent Republican With the help of guru Chanakya, Administration System, the actual administrative Chandragupta ascended the royal throne of authority of these Janapadas was in the hands of Magadha at the age of25, by defeating Ghananand aristocratic families. The representatives of these who was the last N anda ruler. Through his families managed all the administrative affairs as extensive victory campaign, Chandragupta chiefs of Santhagara Sabha (General Assembly). Maurya established the first pan India (Bharat) The members of Santhagara could express their empire . In 305 BC, he defeated a Greek ruler opinion on specific issues. This was called Seleucus Nicator . After a treaty, Seleucus took 500 "Anayuvirodh". The topics of disputes were voted elephants from Chandragupta and surrendered upon. Multi-coloured bars were used in the process Eastern Afghansistan, Baluchistan and the region of voting. Santhagara was the supreme in the western side of Indus (Sindhu) river to organization of the Janapadas. Basic principles of Chandragupta. Seleucus also got his daughter state policies were determined in this assembly. In Helena married to Chandragupta and sent large republics, provincial assemblies were also Megasthenes as his ambassador in Chandragupta's existed apart from central assemblies. With time, court. Parts ofKabul, Herat, Kandhar, Baluchistan, these republics declined due to mutual conflicts Punjab, plains of Ganga and Yamuna, Bihar, and factions. To an extent the expansionist policies Bengal, Gujarat, Vindhya and Kashmir were of contemporary monarchies were also responsible incuded in the Great Kingdom of Chandragupta. It for the decline ofthese republics. is evident from the Tamil treatises Ahananuru and Murananuru that Chandragupta invaded South (ii) Maurya, Shunga, Satavahana, Gupta, India (Bharat). In old age he took initiation of Jain Vardhan, Pal, Rashtrakuta, Prathihar, religion from Bhadrabahu. In 298 BC, he died in Pallava and Chalukya Dynasties- Shravanbelagola (Mysore) by fasting. Maurya Dynasty- Bindusara (298 BC-272 BC)- One of the 16 Mahajanapadas, Magadha Bindusara