Question 1

Question 2What is a Janapada? How is it different from a mahajanapada?

Accepted Answer

The combined territory of many tribes formed by expansion due to war was called the janapada.Each Janapada was composed of a number of villages and a few towns and cities whereas a number of Janapadas joined together to form bigger and more powerful independent kingdoms called Mahajanapadas. Most of the mahajanapadas had a Capital city, many of which were fortified.

Question 2

Question 3Why did the rulers of mahajanapadas build forts?

Accepted Answer

Forts were built by the rulers to:Protect themselves from attacks by other kings.Show their power and wealth.Control the land and the people living inside the fortified area.

Question 3

Question 4How is a republic different from a monarchy? Name two powerful republics in the 6th century BCE.

Accepted Answer

A Republic is different from a Monarchy on the basis of the following points:RepublicMonarchyKingship was not hereditary. The chief was usually elected and was known as Mahasammata or the Great elect.Kingship was hereditary and was based on the divine theory of kingship.Every tribal chief claimed revenue from the peasants.The king was the sole recepient of revenue from the peasants.Each chief had his own little army under his senapati. In case of a confederacy, they joined together with their repective armies to fight against the army.A king maintained his own regular standing army.The government functioned through assemblies.Assemblies did not exist in the Monarchies .The two powerful republics in the 6th century BCE were:The LichchhavisThe Shakyas

Question 4

Question 5Give reasons for the rise of Magadha as a powerful mahajanapada in the 6th century BCE.

Accepted Answer

Reasons for the rise of Magadha as a powerful mahajanapada were:Magadha was located at the centre of the Gangetic plain where the soil was fertile. Due to heavy rains cultivation was possible even without irrigation. This led to surplus production which was taken by the kings as taxes and used to maintain a large army.The forests located in the eastern part of Magadha provided elephants and timber. Elephants could be used in marching over marshly areas and storming fortresses. Timber could be utilized in constructing palaces and large buildings.Magadha had rich deposits of iron which could be used to make better weapons and agriculture tools.Magadha was ruled by very powerful and ambitious rulers like Bimbisara, Ajatashatru and Mahapadma Nanda. These rulers made all efforts to enlarge their kingdoms.The hills and rivers surrounding the two capitals of Magadha (old capital Rajagriha and new capital Pataliputra) acted as natural barriers against foreign invasions.

Question 5

Question 6Who was Alexander? What was his ambition?

Accepted Answer

Alexander was the son of King Philip of Macedonia of Greece. After his father's death, he became the ruler of Macedonia in 336 BCE.He was very ambitious and wanted to conquer the whole world. With this idea, he set out on his military campaign and conquered Asia Minor (Turkey), Syria, Egypt and the Persian Empire.

Question 6

Question 7What was the effect of Alexander's invasion of India?

Accepted Answer

The effects of Alexander's invasion of India were:Alexander's campaign opened up trade routes between Europe and India by land and sea.Alexander's historians have left records of his campaigns along with dates of various events. These records are quite useful in fixing the dates for later events.Alexander's invasion destroyed the power of small states in north-west India. This helped Chandragupta Maurya to establish his control over north-west and ultimately to achieve political unification of India.The cultural contact with the Greeks influenced Indian art and led to the growth of the Indo-Greek school of art known as Gandhara School of Art.

Question 7

Question 8Explain briefly the early life of Chandragupta Maurya before he became the ruler.

Accepted Answer

The early life and ancestry of Chandragupta Maurya is covered in mystery. The Jain sources, describe him as the son of a daughter of 'the chief of peacock tamers'. As per the Buddhist source Mahavamsa, he was the member of Kshatriya clan of the Moriyas of Pipphalivana. According to these accounts Chandragupta's father was killed and he was brought up by his maternal uncle. Chanakya brought him from his foster father and got him educated at Taxila, which was a great centre of learning.

Question 8

Question 1Study the picture and answer the following questions:(a) How did the implements in the picture lead to the production of surplus food grains?(b) Explain briefly the role of these implements in the formation of janapadas.(c) Give three reasons for the emergence of Magadha as a powerful mahajanapada in the 6th century BCE.

Accepted Answer

(a) The people in the Later Vedic Age began using implements and tools made of iron. These iron tools helped them to clear forests bringing more land under cultivation. This resulted in surplus production of food grains.(b) The use of iron implements lead to the production of surplus food grains. As a result, the people began to lead a settled life and expanded further in neighbouring areas. Such expansion resulted in wars between different tribes. In the wars, the larger and more powerful tribes defeated the smaller ones and expanded their territory and created large kingdoms. These kingdoms were called Janapadas.(c) The three reasons for the emergence of Magadha as a powerful Mahajanapada in the 6th century BCE were as follows:Magadha was located at the centre of the Gangetic plain where the soil was fertile. Due to heavy rains cultivation was possible even without irrigation. This led to surplus production which was taken by the kings as taxes and used to maintain a large army.Magadha had rich deposits of iron which could be used to make better weapons and agriculture tools.Magadha was ruled by very powerful and ambitious rulers like Bimbisara, Ajatashatru and Mahapadma Nanda. These rulers made all efforts to enlarge their kingdoms.

Rise of Kingdoms and Republics

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