NCERT Questions and Activities (with Answers)
Q1. Consider the quotation at the start of the chapter and discuss in several groups. Compare your observations and conclusions on what Kauṭilya recommends for a kingdom. Is it very different today?
Answer: Kauṭilya recommended that a kingdom should have fertile land, mines, forests, cattle, good roads, and water supply. It should be strong, self-sufficient, and well-protected with forts. Today’s governments still focus on these – agriculture, natural resources, industries, good transport, and security – but modern technology and democracy have changed the way they are managed.
Q2. According to the text, how were rulers chosen in early Vedic society?
Answer: In early Vedic society, rulers (rājās) were often chosen by assemblies like sabhā and samiti. Elders gave advice, and sometimes rulers were selected or even removed by the assembly. This shows an early form of democratic tradition.
Q3. Imagine you are a historian studying ancient India. What types of sources (archaeological, literary, etc.) would you use to learn more about the mahājanapadas? Explain how each source might contribute to your understanding.
Answer:
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Archaeological sources – ruins of cities, forts, coins, pottery, and iron tools show us how people lived and traded.
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Literary sources – Vedic, Buddhist, and Jain texts describe rulers, assemblies, and society.
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Inscriptions and edicts – tell us about laws, administration, and decisions of rulers.
Together, these sources give a complete picture of political, social, and economic life in mahājanapadas.
Q4. Why was the development of iron metallurgy so important for the growth of urbanism in the 1st millennium BCE?
Answer: Iron tools made farming easier, allowing more land to be cultivated and producing more food. Iron weapons gave stronger armies to protect cities and expand territories. With better agriculture and trade, cities grew rapidly. Thus, iron was a key factor in the Second Urbanisation of India.
Extra Short Answer Questions
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What is meant by ‘Second Urbanisation of India’?
→ It refers to the revival of cities around the 1st millennium BCE, especially in the Ganga plains, after the decline of the Harappan civilisation. -
What does the word ‘janapada’ mean?
→ Janapada means “where the people have set foot,” referring to territories settled by clans under a ruler. -
Name any four powerful mahājanapadas.
→ Magadha, Kosala, Vatsa, and Avanti. -
How were the mahājanapadas protected?
→ They were fortified with walls, gates, and moats for defence. -
Which mahājanapadas are considered early republics?
→ Vajji and Malla, where assemblies had more power and rulers were sometimes elected. -
What were punch-marked coins?
→ The earliest Indian coins, made of silver and copper, with symbols punched on them for trade. -
What role did iron play in agriculture?
→ Iron ploughs and tools improved farming, helping to clear forests and grow more crops. -
What was the varṇa system?
→ Society was divided into four varṇas – Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (traders/farmers), and Shudras (workers). -
What were the two main trade routes in this period?
→ Uttarapatha (north route) and Dakṣiṇapatha (south route). -
Which three kingdoms emerged in South India around 400 BCE?
→ The Cholas, Cheras, and Pāṇḍyas.
Extra Long Answer Questions
Q1. Explain the political systems of the mahājanapadas.
→ The mahājanapadas had different systems of governance. Some were monarchies where the rājā was hereditary and ruled with the help of ministers and assemblies. Others, like Vajji and Malla, were republics (gaṇas or sanghas) where decisions were taken by an assembly and rulers could even be elected. This shows that both monarchy and early democracy existed in ancient India.
Q2. How did trade and coins help the Second Urbanisation?
→ With more agricultural production, trade increased between regions. Roads like Uttarapatha and Dakṣiṇapatha connected north and south India. Punch-marked coins made trade easier and were used across different regions. Cities grew as centres of commerce, crafts, and culture. This laid the foundation for stronger states and future empires.
Q3. What was the varṇa–jāti system? How did it affect society?
→ The varṇa–jāti system divided society into groups based on occupation. Varṇas included Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, while jātis were smaller occupational groups like farmers, smiths, or weavers. This gave stability to society but also created inequalities. Over time, the system became rigid, and lower groups faced discrimination.