Class 6 History Ch 5: Kingdoms, Kings & Republic

Chapter 5: Kingdoms, Kings and an Early Republic

Social Science - History (CBSE Class 6)

Chapter Summary

• How Some Men Became Rulers: Initially, rajas were chosen by the 'jana' (people). Around 3000 years ago, a new method emerged where men became rajas by performing grand sacrifices like the 'ashvamedha' (horse sacrifice). During these sacrifices, the raja was the central figure, while other rajas, ordinary people (vish or vaishya), and shudras had specific roles or were excluded.
• The Varna System: Around the same period, society was divided into four 'varnas' by priests. These were:
  • Brahmanas: Expected to study and teach the Vedas, perform sacrifices, and receive gifts.
  • Kshatriyas: Rulers and warriors, expected to fight battles and protect people.
  • Vaishyas: Farmers, herders, and traders.
  • Shudras: Expected to serve the other three groups. Women were often grouped with Shudras. Varnas were determined by birth.
• Janapadas: Rajas who performed large sacrifices were recognized as rulers of 'janapadas' (meaning 'the land where the jana set its foot'). Archaeologists have excavated several settlements of janapadas, including Purana Qila in Delhi, Hastinapura near Meerut, and Atranjikhera near Etah. These sites show people lived in huts, kept cattle, and grew a variety of crops like rice, wheat, barley, pulses, mustard, and sugarcane. Pottery found at these sites included Grey Ware and Painted Grey Ware (PGW), often used as bowls and plates.
• Mahajanapadas: Around 2500 years ago, some janapadas became more important and were known as 'mahajanapadas'. Most mahajanapadas had a capital city, which was often fortified with massive walls of wood, brick, or stone. Building and maintaining these forts required immense resources and large armies.
• New System of Taxation: With the rise of mahajanapadas, rajas needed more resources and began collecting regular taxes.
  • On Crops: The most important tax, usually one-sixth of the produce, known as 'bhaga'.
  • On Craftspersons: Taxes were paid in the form of labour (e.g., a weaver might work for the raja for a day each month).
  • On Herders: Taxes were collected in the form of animals or animal produce.
  • On Trade: Taxes were levied on goods bought and sold.
  • On Hunters and Gatherers: These groups also provided forest produce to the raja.
• Changes in Agriculture: Two major changes occurred around this time:
  • The increasing use of iron ploughshares allowed for better turning of the heavy, clayey soil, leading to more rice production.
  • The transplantation of paddy became common, where saplings were grown and then planted in fields, significantly increasing production, though it was extremely hard labour.
• Magadha: Emerged as the most important mahajanapada within about 200 years. Its success was due to several factors:
  • The Ganga and Son rivers made transport easy, supplied water, and made the land fertile.
  • Parts of Magadha were forested, providing elephants for the army, and timber for houses and chariots.
  • The region had iron ore mines, which could be used to make strong tools and weapons.
  Magadha had powerful rulers like Bimbisara and Ajatashatru, and later Mahapadma Nanda. Rajagriha (present-day Rajgir) was its capital for several years, later shifted to Pataliputra (present-day Patna). Around 2300 years ago, Alexander of Macedon, after conquering West Asia and Egypt, tried to conquer India, but his soldiers refused to proceed further east, intimidated by the large armies of Magadha.
• Vajji: With its capital at Vaishali (Bihar), Vajji had a different form of government known as a 'gana' or 'sangha'. Unlike kingdoms ruled by a single raja, a gana or sangha had many rulers, each called a raja. These rajas performed rituals together and met in assemblies to discuss and decide on issues. Women, shudras, and kammakaras (slaves) were generally not allowed to participate in these assemblies. Both Gautama Buddha (belonging to the Sakya gana) and Mahavira (belonging to the Jnatrika gana) belonged to ganas. Ganas or sanghas lasted for about 1500 years until they were eventually conquered by the Gupta rulers.

Questions and Answers

1. State whether true or false:

1. (a) Rajas who let the horse of the ashvamedha sacrifice wander freely were attacked by other rajas.
2. (b) The charioteer sprinkled sacred water on the raja.
3. (c) Archaeologists have found palaces in the settlements of the janapadas.
4. (d) Pots to store grain were made out of Painted Grey Ware.
5. (e) Many cities in mahajanapadas were fortified.

Answer:

1. (a) False (They were allowed to pass, indicating acceptance of the performing raja's supremacy).
2. (b) False (The raja's wives and sons performed minor rituals, the priest sprinkled sacred water on the raja).
3. (c) False (Archaeologists have found ordinary mud huts and houses, not palaces).
4. (d) False (Painted Grey Ware was used for special occasions, eating, not for storing grain. Large earthen pots were used for storing grain).
5. (e) True.

2. What are the subjects on which priests advised the rulers?

Answer: Priests advised the rulers on the performance of various rituals and sacrifices. They also laid down the rules of the varna system, which determined the social status and duties of different groups of people, and advised on how to maintain this order in society.

3. Who were the groups of people who could not participate in the assemblies of the ganas?

Answer: Women, shudras, and kammakaras (slaves) could not participate in the assemblies of the ganas.

4. Why did the rajas of mahajanapadas build forts?

Answer: Rajas of mahajanapadas built forts for several reasons:

• To protect the capital city from attacks by other rajas.
• To demonstrate their wealth and power to others.
• To show that they were well-organized and resourceful.
• The walls of the forts provided security and made it easier to control the people living inside the city.

5. In what ways are the present-day elections different from the ways in which rulers were chosen in janapadas?

Answer:

Feature	Present-day Elections	Rulers in Janapadas
Method of Selection	Rulers are chosen through universal adult franchise, where all adult citizens (18+) vote to elect their representatives.	Rulers were chosen through grand sacrifices like 'ashvamedha' (where participation was limited), or sometimes by the 'jana' (people) in a less formal system.
Eligibility to Participate	All adult citizens, regardless of gender, caste, religion, or economic status, have the right to vote.	Participation in selecting a ruler was often limited. In sacrifices, women, shudras, and some other groups were excluded or had limited roles.
Basis of Leadership	Based on the mandate received from the people through votes.	Often based on birth, power derived from sacrifices, or military strength.

6. Find out whether any of the groups mentioned in answer to question 3, have voting rights at present.

Answer: Yes, all the groups mentioned in answer to question 3 (women, shudras, and kammakaras/slaves) have full voting rights at present. In modern democratic countries like India, the principle of universal adult franchise ensures that all adult citizens, regardless of gender, caste, religion, or economic status, have the right to vote and elect their representatives.