6. Janapadas and Mahajanapadas
Complete solutions to the Exercise. Maharashtra State Board (Balbharati), Grade Six History and Civics.
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About the chapter
This chapter explains how groups of villages formed Janapadas in the Post-Vedic period. Some Janapadas grew powerful and became Mahajanapadas. The chapter also explains the voting system of the Gana Parishad. It describes the rise of the Magadha kingdom.
Key points
- A group of villages together formed a Janapada.
- Janapadas were named after their tribes.
- By the sixth century BCE, sixteen Mahajanapadas had become important.
- Most Mahajanapadas were in the Ganga basin. Ashmaka was the only one in the south.
- Bimbisara laid the foundation of the Magadha Empire.
- Ajatshatru made Pataliputra the capital and used new weapons.
Words to remember
- Janapada – a group of village settlements of a tribe
- Mahajanapada – a large and powerful Janapada
- Gana Parishad – the assembly that took decisions in a republic
- Shalaka – a coloured stick used as a ballot
- Shalaka-grahaka – the officer in charge of voting
Exercise
(1) What are the groups of village settlements in ancient India called?
- ✓ a) Janapada
- b) Mahajanapada
- c) Kingdom
Answer: Janapada
(2) Who laid the foundation of the Magadha Empire?
- a) Shishunaga
- b) Ajatshatru
- ✓ c) Bimbisara
Answer: Bimbisara
(3) Which dynasty’s rule did Chandragupta Maurya bring to an end?
- a) Shishunag
- ✓ b) Nanda
- c) Maurya
Answer: Nanda
| Group ‘A’ | Group ‘B’ |
|---|---|
| 1. Voting Officer | b) Shalaka grahaka |
| 2. Vrijji | c) Mahajanapada |
| 3. Ajatashatru | a) Adoption of Buddhism |
Option (d) Janapada is the extra one.
(1) The last king of the Nanda dynasty — Dhanananda
(2) A device used to hurl large stones — Mahashilakantaka
(3) The one who established the capital at Pataliputra — Ajatshatru
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(1) Explain the term ‘Janapada’.
A Janapada was a community of people living in a particular region. In the Post-Vedic period, people began to live in permanent villages. A group of such villages formed a Janapada. People did farming, animal husbandry and trade. Each Janapada was named after its tribe. It had a chieftain, but decisions were taken with the elders.
(2) What led to the formation of the Janapadas?
- The Vedic people settled in the Ganges valley. They began to live in permanent settlements.
- Agriculture, trade and crafts developed.
- People lived and worked together in villages.
- Villages developed their own local administration.
- A group of such villages came to be called a Janapada.
(3) State the reasons behind the development of the Mahajanapadas.
- Some Janapadas became strong in economy, army and administration.
- They had their own armies.
- They had fertile land, so farming gave a good surplus.
- They had good administration under a King or a council.
- Trade grew along their trade routes.
- They conquered nearby Janapadas and grew larger.
(1) What reforms were introduced by Ajatshatru that made the Magadha Empire more powerful?
- He followed a policy of expansion. He conquered Vrijji and Kosala.
- He made a machine called Mahashilakantaka. It hurled big stones and broke fort walls.
- He made a chariot called Rathamusala with spiked iron rods. It caused heavy loss to enemy troops.
- He set up a new capital at Pataliputra (Patna). It made administration easier.
- He became a follower of Gautam Buddha. The First Buddhist Council was held at Rajagriha in his reign.
(2) State some similarities and differences between the voting method used in the Ganaparishad (Assembly) and the voting method used in present times.
Similarities
- In both, decisions are taken by majority.
- In both, secret voting is possible.
- In both, an officer conducts the voting.
- In both, people take part in decision-making.
Differences
- Then, only members of the Gana Parishad voted. Now, every citizen aged 18 or above can vote.
- Then, coloured sticks called Shalaka were used. Now, we use voting machines.
- Then, open voting and voice voting were also used. Now, voting in elections is secret.
- Then, the system was based on custom. Now, it is based on the Constitution and election laws.
(1) Write the names of the Mahajanapadas that are located outside India’s current international boundary. — Gandhara and Kamboja
(2) In which present-day state is the Mahajanapada of Ashmaka located? — Maharashtra
(3) In which river basin are the majority of the Mahajanapadas situated? — The Ganga basin
The Project — listing each Mahajanapada with the present-day state where it was located — is to be done by you. Start from the capitals given in the lesson. For example, Kashi had its capital at Varanasi, so it was in present-day Uttar Pradesh.