History

Kings, Farmers and Towns

Question:

Describe the salient features of Mahajanapadas.

Answer:

Mahajanapadas were states that existed between 6th and 4th BC centuries. Buddhist and Jain texts mention sixteen Mahajanapadas. The name of all these are not uniform in all texts but some names are common and uniform which means they were the powerful ones. These Mahajanapadas are Vajji, Magadha, Kaushal, Kuru, Panchal, and Gandhar.
The important features of the Mahajanapadas are as follows.
1.Most of the Mahajanapadas were ruled by powerful kings. However, there were some Mahajanapadas where rule was in the hands of people, we call them republics. In some states the king and the subject had collective control on the economic resources of the state.
2.Every Mahajanapadas had its own capital. The capital normally would be surrounded by fort. The fortification of the capital was needed for protection and economic resources.
3.It was around 6th Qentury BC, Brahmins began to compile scripture called “Dharmshastra” which states rules of morality including that of monarch. Herein it was mentioned that the king should be Kshatriya.
4.The main job of the king was collection of taxes from farmers, traders, craftsmen. They also accepted donations.
5.It was considered fair to plunder neighbouring countries for riches.
6.Gradually Mahajanapadas began to have full time army and officials. Soldiers were from the ranks of farmers.

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Kings, Farmers and Towns

Q 1.

List some of the problems faced by the epigraphists.

Q 2.

Describe the salient features of Mahajanapadas.

Q 3.

Compare and contrast the list of things given to the Pandyan chief (Source 3) with those produced in the village of Danguna (source 8). Do you notice any similarities and differences?

Q 4.

Discuss the main features of the Mauryan administration. Which of these elements are evident in the Asokan inscriptions that you have studied?

Q 5.

Describe the salient features of Mahajanapadas.

Q 6.

Discuss the evidence of craft production in Early Historic cities. In what ways is this different from the evidence from Harappan cities?

Q 7.

How do historians reconstruct the lives of ordinary people?

Q 8.

To what extent were agricultural practices transformed in the period under consideration?

Q 9.

This is a statement made by one of the best-known epigraphists of the twentieth century, D.C. Sircar: "There is no aspect of life, culture, activities of the Indians that is not reflected in inscriptions."Discuss.

Q 10.

Discuss the notions of kingship that developed in the post-Mauryan period.

Q 11.

List some of the problems faced by the epigraphists.

Q 12.

Discuss the main features of the Mauryan administration. Which of these elements are evident in the Asokan inscriptions that you have studied?