LESSON-6 The Early States Resources:- 1. Text Book 2. Pictures 3. Board 4. Real Life Situation Learning Objectives • To enable students understand how civilizations grew from initial towns to kingdoms. • To help understand the formation of society, elementary governance and management of social divisions. Video Link Part- 1 https://youtu.be/y8VH-vt9LYk Part- 2 https://youtu.be/bJAuopawBM4 Part - 3 https://youtu.be/qRkOPa5_rHU Part - 4 https://youtu.be/ydpprXllgQQ
THE MAHĀJANAPADAS
The Mahājanapadas (Sanskrit: महाजनपद, lit. 'great realm', from maha, "great", and janapada "foothold of a people") were sixteen kingdoms or oligarchic republics that existed in Northern ancient India from the sixth to fourth centuries BCE during the second urbanisation period.[2] The 6th–5th centuries BCE is often regarded as a major turning point in early Indian history; during this period India's first large cities arose after the demise of the Indus Valley Civilization. It was also the time of the rise of sramana movements (including Buddhism and Jainism), which challenged the religious orthodoxy of the Vedic Period. Two of the Mahājanapadas were most probably ganatantras (oligarchic republics) and others had forms of monarchy. Ancient Buddhist texts like the Anguttara Nikaya[3] make frequent reference to sixteen great kingdoms and republics which had developed and flourished in a belt stretching from Gandhara in the northwest to Anga in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent. They included parts of the trans-Vindhyan region,[4] and all had developed prior to the rise of Buddhism in India.[5] Archaeologically, this period has been identified as corresponding in part to the Northern Black Polished Ware culture. FORTIFICATION OF MAHAJANAPADAS Capital cities of 'mahajanapadas' were mostly fortified by building huge walls of wood, brick or stone around them. There were various reasons for building forts. They were probably built because people were afraid of attacks from other kings and needed protection. Some rulers probably built forts to make their cities impressive and to show how rich and powerful they were. Moreover, by making forts, controlling the fortified area became easier for the kings.Buildings forts required a great-deal of planning. Thousands of bricks or stones had to be prepared. Enormous amount of labour and resources were required. Answer By
THE EXPANSION OF TERRITORIES
MAGADH MAHAJANPADA Magadha was an ancient Indian kingdom in southern Bihar, and was counted as one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas, 'Great Countries' of ancient India. Magadha played an important role in the development of Jainism and Buddhism, and two of India's greatest empires, the Maurya Empire and Gupta Empire, originated in Magadha. The Mauryan Empire and Gupta Empire, both of which originated in Magadha, saw advancements in ancient India's science, mathematics, astronomy, religion, and philosophy and were considered the Golden Age of India. The Magadh kingdom included republican communities such as the community of Rajkumar. Villages had their own assemblies under their local chiefs called Gramakas. Their administrations were divided into executive, judicial, and military functions.
HOMEWORK 1. On an Outline Map Of India locate Magadh, Kosala, Awanti and Vasta.( Please see page no. 45)
EXCERCISES
A. Choose the correct option. 1. 16 2. Shakyas 3. 1/6th 4. Ayurveda 5. Kings Bimbisara and Ajatashatru 6. Pataliputra 7. Nanda Dynasty 8. 8 clans to form a confederation
B. Fill in the blanks. 1. Vish 2. Capital 3. Avanti 4. Ploughs 5. Ajatshatru 6. Vaishali
C. State whether true or false. 1. True 2. True 3. False 4. False 5. True 6. False
D. Answer the following questions briefly. 1. Over a period of time Janapadas grew in stature as a strong political entity by acquiring more territory and came to be known as Mahajanapadas. 2. • Capital cities were fortified for 2 reasons. • To show power and prosperity. • To provide a safe environment to people against the threat of raids. 3. Kings wanted to acquire area under their control for 2 reasons. (a) To get more land to grow more food for increasing population. (b) To show their power to other kings. 4. Taxes were imposed to maintain large armies and to maintain other expenditures like making roads, streets, forts etc. 5. Crafts persons gave the part of their service free of charge to the raja. 6. Vaishali, Ayodhya and Mathura became important trading centres. 7. The extraction of chemicals out of herbs by exploiting the teachings of Atharvaveda helped progress medicinal science of Ayurveda. 8. Iron was used to make tools and implements. It was used to make weapons like swords, daggers, spears and arrows.
E. Answer the following questions in detail. 1. In the republican form of governance the elected group of people formulated the policies by majority decision system whereas in monarchical system the king used to be the most powerful and used to have a hereditary system. 2. Ashwamedha Yajana was performed to capture more territories. Method: • In this system, the rajas performing the Yajana used to send a horse with his emblem to roam freely in the neighbouring territories. • The area from where the horse managed to pass through unopposed was considered as captured. • Any Raja who stopped the horse was expected to fight the Raja performing the Yajana.
3. Taxes • Farmers paid 1/6th of their produce as tax. • Crafts persons gave the part of their services free of charge to the king. • Traders paid a tax. • Herders & hunters used to provide a portion of their produce as a tax. 4. (a) Use of Iron Implements like ploughs–This helped to plough dense clay soils as compared to the wooden ploughs. (b) Growing of paddy sapplings at one place and then transplanting it in the fields. 5. Division of society into water tight compartments led to discrimination and prevented the shudras from gaining education. Marriages between different classes became unacceptable. People could not change their occupation and Brahmins started to dominate the society. 6. Magadha became the most powerful Mahajanapada due to the following reasons: (a) Land was fertile. (b) It had large deposits of iron-ore which helped in making of weapons. (c) Rivers helped in transportation. (d) Forests provided timber for making chariots and it also provided animals like elephants which could be used in war.