KINGS, FARMERS AND TOWNS

Short Questions
1.Who wrote the ‘Arthashastra’?
Answer: Kautilya (Chanakya)
2.Who deciphered Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts?
Answer: James Prinsep
3.What is hagiography?
Answer: Hagiography is the biography of a saint or religious leader.
4.Where was the early capital of Magadha?
Answer: Rajagriha
5.Name the most powerful Mahajanapada in India between the sixth and fourth centuries
BCE.
Answer: Magadha
6.Who was the court poet of Gupta Emperor Samudragupta?
Answer: Harisena
7.Name the first Mahajanapada.
Answer: Anga
8.Who was known as ‘Devanampriya’?
Answer: Ashoka
9.What is epigraphy?
Answer:-Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions or written records, particularly those
engraved on durable materials like stone or metal.
10. What is the meaning of the word Piyadassi?
Answer:-:Piyadassi means “pleasant to behold” or “beloved,” a title used by Emperor
Ashoka.
11. Why is the year 1830 AD famous in Indian history?
Answer:-The year 1830 AD marks the beginning of significant socio-political changes and
the rise of nationalist movements in India.
12. What was the earliest script used in India?
Answer:-The earliest script used in India is the Brahmi script.
13. In which century did the early states come into existence?
Answer:-Early states in India emerged in the 6th century BCE.
14. In which century did Buddhism and Jainism develop in India?
Buddhism and Jainism developed in the 6th century BCE.
15. What is Mahajanapada?
Answer:- Mahajanapada refers to one of the sixteen great states or kingdoms in ancient India
during the 6th century BCE.
16. who was James prinsep?
Answer :-James Prinsep (1799–1840) was a British antiquarian and epigraphist known for
deciphering the Brahmi script and making significant contributions to the study of ancient
Indian inscriptions, particularly those of Emperor Ashoka.
2 marks
1)State two important sources used by historians to reconstruct the history of the
Mauryas:
Answer: (1) Arthashastra by Kautilya. (2) Inscriptions of Ashoka.
2.What do you mean by ‘theri’? Who was the first woman to become a ‘theri’?
Answer: (1) ‘Theri’ means a senior Buddhist nun. (2) Mahapajapati Gotami was the first
woman to become a theri.
3.What were ‘Brahmottar’ and ‘Dharmottar’ land?
Answer: (1) ‘Brahmottar’ land was granted to Brahmins. (2) ‘Dharmottar’ land was granted
for religious purposes.
4.What was an Agrahara?
Answer: (1) Agrahara was a land grant made to Brahmins. (2) It was typically exempt from
tax.
5.what are the two dynasties who were immediate successors to the Mauryas:
Answer: (1) The Shungas. (2) The Kanvas.
6. What are the two limitations of inscriptional evidence:
Answer: (1) Inscriptions often lack details on daily life. (2) They may not provide exact dates
for events.
7.Who were the Prativedakas? Mention one duty.
Answer: (1) Prativedakas were messengers or reporters in the royal court. (2) One duty was
to report important news to the king.

4 Marks

1.Mention some of the limitations of epigraphic evidence.

•Incomplete Records: Inscriptions may be damaged or fragmented, which leads to gaps in
historical understanding.
•Ruler Bias: Most inscriptions were commissioned by rulers, who often highlighted their
successes, leading to a one-sided historical record.
•Limited Scope: Inscriptions typically focus on major events or achievements, providing
little information about daily life or ordinary people.
•Interpretative Challenges: Some inscriptions use ancient languages or scripts that are hard to
decipher, which can lead to varying interpretations.

2.State the causes of the rise of Magadha.

•Geographical Advantage: Magadha had fertile land and natural resources, such as iron,
which helped in both agriculture and weapon-making.
•Strong Leadership: Rulers like Bimbisara and Ajatashatru expanded the kingdom through
strategic alliances and wars.
•Economic Prosperity: Magadha’s location along trade routes promoted wealth
accumulation, strengthening its power.
•Military Strength: Access to iron resources enabled the Magadha army to have superior
weapons, giving it an edge over rival states.
3. State four reasons why Magadha became the most powerful among the sixteen
Mahajanapadas.
•Resource-Rich Region: Magadha had fertile land, forests, and iron deposits, which
supported agriculture, trade, and military expansion.
•Strategic Location: Situated near important trade routes, Magadha could control commerce
and generate significant revenue.
•Effective Administration: The rulers implemented efficient administrative practices that
helped in governance and control over resources.
•Military Innovations: Magadha’s use of elephants and a well-trained army contributed to its
military superiority over other Mahajanapadas.

4.How did historians classify the contents of the Mahabharata?

•Genealogy and History: Contains genealogical lists of dynasties, focusing on the Kuru
dynasty and its history.
•Myth and Legend: Includes mythological stories, like the Bhagavad Gita, that explain
Hindu cosmology and ethical teachings.
•Philosophical Content: Contains philosophical discourses, especially the Gita, which covers
topics like dharma, karma, and yoga.
•Social Norms and Practices: Describes social customs, roles of various castes, and ideal
conduct, giving insights into ancient Indian society.

5) Explain the limitations of the inscriptional evidence?

Or
List some of the problems faced by epigraphists.
Ans:- 1.Incomplete Records
Many inscriptions are found in damaged or fragmentary conditions, leaving gaps in the
historical record. This means historians often lack complete details about events or
individuals mentioned.
2.Bias and Royal Propaganda
Inscriptions were typically commissioned by rulers to record their achievements. As a result,
they may reflect only the positive aspects of a ruler’s reign, omitting failures or negative
events, and presenting a one-sided view of history.
3.Limited Scope and Context
Inscriptions often focus on major achievements or religious donations but provide limited
information on the daily lives of common people, social customs, or the overall cultural
context of the time.
4.Interpretation Challenges
Ancient languages and scripts, such as Brahmi or Kharosthi, are sometimes difficult to
interpret accurately. The style of writing changes over time, which may lead to differing
interpretations and affect historical understanding.

6) Name three places of Pakistan and Afghani- | stan where Major rock Edicts of Asoka
are found. Name the states of India to which Girnar, Sopara and Jaugada belong
where Major rock Edicts of Asoka are found.
Ans:- 1.Three places in Pakistan and Afghanistan where Major Rock Edicts of Ashoka are
found:
• Shahbazgarhi (Pakistan)
 • Mansehra (Pakistan)
• Kandahar (Afghanistan)
2. States in India where Girnar, Sopara, and Jaugada are located:
• Girnar - Gujarat
• Sopara - Maharashtra
• Jaugada - Odisha

7) Give a historical outline of Pataliputra.

Ans:- 1.Foundation and Early History
Founded in the 5th century BCE by Ajatashatru of the Magadha kingdom, Pataliputra
(originally Pataligrama) was strategically located near the Ganges River, making it ideal for
trade and defense.
2.Capital of the Magadha Empire
Around 321 BCE, Chandragupta Maurya made Pataliputra the capital of the Mauryan
Empire, under the guidance of Chanakya. It became a significant political and cultural
center.
3.Golden Age under the Mauryas and Guptas
During Ashoka’s reign (268-232 BCE), the city flourished as a hub for administration and
Buddhism. Under the Gupta dynasty (4th-6th century CE), Pataliputra became a center for
art, literature, and science.
4.Decline and Later Periods
Following the Gupta decline, Pataliputra lost its prominence due to invasions and conflicts,
eventually becoming largely abandoned until revived as Patna in the 16th century by Sher
Shah Suri

8)State the administration system of Mauryan Empire?

Ans:- 1. Centralized Authority
The Mauryan Empire was ruled by a strong central authority, with the emperor holding
supreme power over military, administrative, and judicial matters.
2.Provincial Administration
The empire was divided into provinces (Mahajanapadas), each governed by an appointed
governor (Uparika or Kumara) responsible for local administration, law and order, and tax
collection.
3.Bureaucratic Structure
A well-organized bureaucracy supported the administration, including officials like Mantrins
(advisors), Dharma Mahamatras (overseers of ethical conduct), and Amatyas (high-ranking
officials managing various departments).
4.Taxation and Infrastructure
The administration implemented a structured tax system to generate revenue for the state and
invested in infrastructure development, such as roads and irrigation, to facilitate trade and
enhance communication.

Passage based Questions

I)Inscriptions
Inscriptions are writings engraved on hard surfaces such as stone, metal, or pottery. They
usually record the achievements, activities, or ideas of those who commissioned them and
include the exploits of kings or donations made by women and men to religious institutions.
Inscriptions are virtually permanent records, some of which carry dates. Others are dated on
the basis of palaeography or styles of writing, with a fair amount of precision. For instance,
in c. 250 BCE, the letter ‘a’ was written like this: y. By c. 500 CE, it was written like this:
31.
The earliest inscriptions were in Prakrit, a name for languages used by ordinary people.
Names of rulers such as Ajatasatru and Asoka, known from Prakrit texts and inscriptions,
have been spelt in their Prakrit forms in this chapter. You will also find the terms in
languages such as Pali, Tamil, and Sanskrit, which too were used to write inscriptions and
texts. It is possible that people spoke in other languages as well, even though these were not
used for writing.

Questions and Answers:

1.What are inscriptions?
Answer: Inscriptions are writings engraved on hard surfaces such as stone, metal, or pottery.
They usually record the achievements, activities, or ideas of those who commissioned them,
including exploits of kings or donations to religious institutions.
2.In which language were the earliest inscriptions written?
Answer: The earliest inscriptions
were written in Prakrit, a language used by ordinary people

2)Languages and scripts

Most Ashokan inscriptions were in the Prakrit language, while those in the northwest of the
subcontinent were in Aramaic and Greek. Most Prakrit inscriptions were written in the
Brahmi script; however, some in the northwest were written in Kharosthi. The Aramaic and
Greek scripts were used for inscriptions in Afghanistan.

Questions and Answers:

1.To which source of history do the inscriptions belong?
Answer: Inscriptions belong to the archaeological source of history.
2.In which languages were the Ashokan inscriptions written?
Answer: (1) Most Ashokan inscriptions were written in Prakrit. (2) In the northwest region
of the subcontinent, they were written in Aramaic and Greek.
3.What were the scripts used to inscribe the Ashokan inscriptions?
Answer: (1) Brahmi script was used for most Prakrit inscriptions. (2) Kharosthi script was
used in the northwest. (3) Aramaic and Greek scripts were used for inscriptions in
Afghanistan.

3) “Temple building in the region had a long history going back to dynasties such as the
Pallavas, Chalukyas, Hoysalas, and Cholas. Rulers very often encouraged temple building as
a means of associating themselves with the divine—often the deity was explicitly or
implicitly identified with the king. Temples also functioned as centers of learning. Besides,
rulers and others often granted land and other resources for the maintenance of temples.
Consequently, temples developed as significant religious, social, cultural, and economic
centers. From the point of view of the rulers, constructing, repairing, and maintaining
temples were important means of winning support and recognition for their power, wealth,
and property.”
Questions and Answers:
1.In which region did the dynasties such as the Pallavas, Cholas, etc., rule?
Answer: These dynasties ruled in southern India.
2.Why did the rulers build temples?
Answer: (1) Rulers built temples to associate themselves with the divine, often identifying
themselves with the deity. (2) Building temples also served as a way to gain support and
recognition for their power and wealth.
3.What was the importance of the temples?
Answer: (1) Temples were significant as religious centers. (2) They served as centers of
learning and cultural development. (3) Temples also played a role in the economy by acting
as economic centers where resources were managed.

Map Based Questions

1) Draw a map of India and identify the locations of the following ancient towns :
Pataliputra, Kanauj, Mathura, Kaushambi, Ujjayini and
Pragiyotishpu?
Ans: draw with the help of the following
• Pataliputra (near Patna, Bihar)
• Kanauj: (Uttar Pradesh)
• Mathura: (Uttar Pradesh)
• Kaushambi: (Uttar Pradesh)
• Ujjayini: (Madhya Pradesh)
• Pragiyotishpu: Guwahati, Assam)

2) Draw a map of India and identify the locations of any three great Mahajanapadas.
Answer:-
(To create a map of India identifying three great Mahajanapadas, we can include the
following locations:
1. Magadha - Located in present-day Bihar.
2. Koshi (or Kashi) - Located in present-day Uttar Pradesh.
3. Vajji - Located in the northern part of Bihar, near the border with Nepal.)

Exercise questions:-

1. Discuss Evidence of Craft Production in Early Historic Cities? In what ways is this
different from the evidence from Harappan cities?
Ans:-1) Artifacts and Tools:
Excavations reveal specialized craft production through tools and artifacts such as pottery,
metal objects, and textiles, indicating a range of crafts.
2)Trade Networks:
Evidence of imported goods suggests extensive trade connections, with cities like Pataliputra
serving as commercial hubs.
3)Workshops:
Sites identified as workshops, particularly in urban areas, indicate organized craft
production, including pottery and metallurgy.
4)Documentation:
Literary sources and inscriptions also reference crafts and artisans, providing insights into
production practices.
Difference from Harappan Cities: Unlike Harappan cities, which had a
uniformity in craft styles and extensive urban planning, Early Historic cities exhibited more
regional variation and a focus on specialized crafts.

2. State the Salient Features of Mahajanapadas?

Ans:-i)Political Organization:
The mahajanapadas were large, often republican states or kingdoms characterized by a
centralized political structure, with some being oligarchies or monarchies.
ii)Urban Centers:
They featured urban settlements as administrative and commercial centers, facilitating trade
and governance.
iii)Agricultural Economy:
The economy was primarily agrarian, supported by advances in agriculture and irrigation
techniques.
iv)Cultural Diversity:
The mahajanapadas were marked by cultural and linguistic diversity, with a variety of
religious practices coexisting, including Buddhism and Jainism.

3. How Historians Reconstruct the Lives of Ordinary People?

I)Archaeological Evidence: Excavations provide artifacts, pottery, and housing remains that
help depict daily life and social organization.
ii)Literary Sources: Historical texts, religious scriptures, and inscriptions offer narratives
about social customs, occupations, and community practices.
iii)Material Culture: Analysis of everyday items, such as cooking tools and personal
adornments, reveals insights into the lifestyles and social status of ordinary people.
iv)Environmental Studies: Research on ancient agricultural practices, diet, and settlement
patterns helps historians understand the economic conditions and living standards of the
time.

4)Discuss the Administration of the Mauryan Empire?

Ans:-:Centralized Authority: The Mauryan Empire had a strong central government led by
the emperor, who wielded absolute power and made crucial decisions regarding governance.
• Bureaucratic System: A well-organized bureaucracy with various officials was
established to manage different administrative functions, including tax collection, law
enforcement, and public works.
• Provinces and Governors: The empire was divided into provinces
(Mahajanapadas) each governed by a viceroy (Rajuka) to ensure local governance while
maintaining central control.
• Law and Justice: The administration emphasized legal systems and justice, with
Asokan inscriptions promoting moral governance and ethical conduct.

5)Discuss D.C. Sircar’s Statement on Inscriptions

 • Historical Record: Inscriptions provide direct evidence of various aspects of life,
including politics, economy, religion, and culture, making them invaluable historical records.
• Cultural Practices: They reflect cultural practices, rituals, and societal norms,
giving insight into the values and beliefs of different communities.
• Political Changes: Inscriptions document changes in political power, dynastic
claims, and the evolution of kingship, illustrating the political landscape of the time.
• Economic Activities: They provide information about trade, agriculture, and
taxation, helping historians understand the economic conditions and practices of ancient
India.

6)Discuss the Notions of Kingship in the Post-Mauryan Period

• Divine Right: Kingship in the post-Mauryan period was often viewed as
divinely sanctioned, where rulers claimed a connection to the divine or gods to legitimize
their authority.
• Buddhist Influence: The spread of Buddhism introduced concepts of moral
kingship, emphasizing rulers’ responsibilities to govern justly and compassionately, as seen
in Asoka’s policies.
• Regional Variations: Different kingdoms developed unique interpretations of
kingship, influenced by local traditions, cultural practices, and political circumstances.
• Military Power: The importance of military strength in establishing and
maintaining kingship became prominent, with rulers often depicted as warriors protecting
their realm.

7)To What Extent Were Agricultural Practices Transformed?

• Crop Diversity: The period saw an increase in crop diversity, with the introduction of
new agricultural techniques and crops, such as rice, wheat, and millets, improving food
security.
• Irrigation Techniques: Advancements in irrigation, including canals and
reservoirs, allowed for more efficient water management and increased agricultural
productivity.
• Land Ownership: Changes in land ownership patterns emerged, with increased
commercialization leading to the rise of landowners and agrarian elites.
• Agricultural Tools: The use of improved tools and plowing methods enhanced
farming efficiency, contributing to agricultural surplus and supporting urbanization.