INTERNATIONAL INDIAN SCHOOL, DAMMAM. GIRLS MIDDLE SECTION E- LEARNING NOTES (2020-21) CLASS: VI SUBJECT: SOCIAL STUDIES PREPARED BY: ASHAMOL LESSON 5 - KINGDOMS, KINGS AND AN EARLY REPUBLIC

I. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. What is Janapada? Give two examples.

• The word janapada literally means the land where the Jana set its foot and settled down. • The examples of janapadas are Purana Qila in Delhi, Hastinapura near Meerut, Atranjikhera, near Etah.

2. Why did rajas of Mahajanapadas build forts?

• Forts were probably built because people were afraid of attacks from other kings and needed protection. • Some rulers wanted to show how rich and powerful they were by building really large, tall and impressive walls around their cities.

3. Why did the rulers of Mahajanapadas start collecting regular taxes? Write two different types of taxes.

As the rulers of the mahajanapadas were building huge forts and maintaining big armies, they needed more resources. And they needed officials to collect these. So, instead of depending on occasional gifts brought by people, rajas of the mahajanapadas, started collecting regular taxes.

The different types of taxes were:

• Taxes on crops were the most important. Tax was fixed at 1/6th of what was produced. This was known as bhaga or a share. • There were taxes on crafts persons as well. These could have been in the form of labour. For example, a weaver or a smith may have had to work for a day every month for the king.

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4. What were the major agricultural changes in agriculture under the Mahajanapadas?

There were two major changes in agriculture during the period of Mahajanapadas. • One was the growing use of iron ploughshares. This meant that heavy, clayey soil could be turned over better than with a wooden ploughshare, so that more grain could be produced. • Second, people began transplanting paddy. This meant that instead of scattering seed on the ground, from which plants would sprout, saplings were grown and then planted in the fields. This led to increased production, as many more plants survived.

5. How did Magadha become the most important Mahajanapada?

• Magadha became the most important mahajanapada in about 2300 years. Many rivers such as the Ganga and Son flowed through Magadha. This was important for (a) transport, (b) water supplies (c) making the land fertile. • Parts of Magadha were forested. Elephants, which lived in the forest, could be captured and trained for the army. • Forests also provided wood for building houses, carts and chariots. Besides, there were iron ore mines in the region that could be tapped to make strong tools and weapons.

6. What form of government was there in Vajji? How was it different from Mahajanapadas?

• Vajji with its capital at Vaishali was under a different form of government known as Gana or Sangha. • The main difference between Vajji and other mahajanapadas was their political system. Other states were ruled by a king whereas Vajji was ruled by a group of rulers. • Sometimes, even when thousands of men ruled together, each one was known as a raja. • These rajas performed rituals together. They also met in assemblies, and decided what had to be done and how, through discussion and debate.

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II. FILL IN THE BLANKS:

1. The four vedas are Rigveda, Samaveda ______and ______.

2. The priests divided people into four groups called ______.

3. Gana is meant for a group that has ______.

4. Women, dasas and______were not allowed to participate in the assemblies of the ganas.

5. Alexander was a ruler who lived in ______in Europe, wanted to become a world

conqueror.

6. ______became the most important mahajanapada about 2300 years ago.

7. The ‘Ashvamedha’ was the sacrifice of ______.

8. The present name of Rajagriha is ______.

9. Kammakara was a word used for ______.

III. NAME THE FOLLOWING:

1. The capital of Vajji.

2. Two powerful rulers of Magadha.

3. One special type of pottery found at the janapada sites.

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