From Janas to Mahajanapadas Questions & Answers

Hi Everyone!! This article will share From Janas to Mahajanapadas Questions & Answers.

In my previous posts, I have shared the questions & answers of Indus Valley Civilization and The Vedic Age so, you can also go through these posts as well. Make sure to go through the post – From Janas to Mahajanapadas Objective Type Questions & Answers.

From Janas to Mahajanapadas Questions & Answers

Question 1: Which period saw the rise of the Janapadas?

Answer: The period between 600 BCE to 400 BCE saw rise of many Janapadas.

Question 2: How was Mathura strategically located?

Answer: Mathura was strategically situated at the junction of the two famous ancient Indian trade routes, namely the Uttarapatha and the Dakshinapatha.

Question 3: List the important towns of Kambhoja.

Answer: Afghanistan. Rajapura and Dwaraka were important towns of Kambhoja.

Question 4: What strategies were used by the rulers of Magadha to expand their territories?

Answer: The rulers of Magadha used the strategy of matrimonial alliances or conquest through wars to expand their territories.

Question 5: Trace the formation of mahajanapadas.

Answer: i.The small tribes known as Janas gave way to large kingdoms known as Janapadas.
ii. People started paying adherence to the Janapadas or the territory to which they belonged rather than their own tribe or jana.
iii. The warrior class along with their new found iron weapons played an important role in the formation of Janapadas.
iv. The period between 600 BCE to 400 BCE saw rise of many Janapadas.
v. A number of janas joined together to form larger and more dominant independent kingdoms called Mahajanapadas.

From Janas to Mahajanapadas Questions & Answers

Question 6: Give brief information about Surasena and Kashi Mahajanapada.

Answer: The Surasena kingdom had Mathura as its capital which was located on the bank of the river Yamuna. Mathura was strategically situated at the junction of the two famous ancient Indian trade routes, namely the Uttarapatha and the Dakshinapatha.

Kashi
Kashi was located in and around the present day Varanasi district. Its capital was Varanasi situated on the confluence of the rivers Ganga and the Gomati. It flourished under the rule of Brahmadattas.

Question 7: The administration of Vajji was based on democratic principles. Analyse the statement.

Answer: The Ganasamgha or republic represented a joint rule by a group of chiefs and not a rule by a single all-powerful king. The members of this ruling class were called rajas. The Vajji state is said to have been a confederate of eight clans (ashtakula) of whom the Videhas, Licchavis and the Jhatrikas were the most well known. The other members of confederacy were the clans of the Bhogas, Kauravas, Ugras, Aiksavaras. Vaishali seems to have been the capital of the entire confederacy. Their affairs were managed by an assembly but they had no standing army or a proper system of collection of revenue from agriculture.

Question 8: What kind of society existed during the Mahajanapada period. Explain.

Answer: i. The caste system became more rigid. The significance of Brahmans started increasing as the cult of sacrifices grew.
ii. The top three caste – Brahmans, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas were dvija or the ‘twice-born’. These three castes were allowed to perform upanayana ceremony (wearing of the scared thread).
iii. It indicated the beginning of education in one’s life. However, the Shudras and women were deprived of education.
iv. The family system also went through a change. The role of the father became important in the family.
v. Male ancestors came to be worshipped. Although there are instances where women used to take part in philosophical discussions and other religious rituals, in general women were considered as inferior and subordinate to men.

Question 9: Magadha emerged as an important and powerful Mahajanapada. Give reasons.

Answer: Magadha enjoyed an advantageous geographical position. It controlled over the iron ore deposits of South Bihar. This enabled them to equip themselves with effective weapons. Its two capitals, Rajagriha and Pataliputra, were strategically located. Rajagriha was an invincible place protected by five hills whereas its later capital, Pataliputra, was situated at the confluence of the Ganga, the Gandak, the Ghaghra and the Son rivers. The external invasion became difficult as the invading army could not follow the courses of the rivers. However, the rivers provided a means of transport and agricultural facilities. Control over the trade routes of the Ganga, the Gandak and the Son rivers provided a large amount of revenues.

From Janas to Mahajanapadas Questions & Answers

Question 10: Forts were of immense importance. Give reasons.

Answer: Most of the Mahajanapadas had a capital city which was fortified. Forts were built by the rulers. Forts were of immense importance as they protected the region from external invasion. It also helped the king in controlling the area and people living inside the fortifi ed area. Forts were also built by the kings to demonstrate their power and wealth.

Question 11: Briefly explain, the administration of the Mahajanapadas.

Answer: Most of the Mahajanapadas had a capital city which was fortified. Forts were built by the rulers. Forts were of immense importance as they protected the region from external invasion. It also helped the king in controlling the area and people living inside the fortified area. Forts were also built by the kings to demonstrate their power and wealth. The rulers of the Mahajanapadas maintained huge armies and paid regular salaries to the soldiers. For this they needed more resources. Thus, they started collecting taxes from people. Various types of taxes were levied on people. Farmers had to pay bhaga, a tax on crops. This was fixed at 1/6th of the total produce. The herders were to give animal produce to the state whereas the hunters used to give forest product as tax. Craftspersons had to work for a day every month for the king. Taxes were also levied on the goods bought and sold through trade.

Question 12: Write the important features of the Republic Mahajanapadas.

Answer: A republic was ruled by a group elected by the common people. There was no King. The republic consisted of either one tribe or alliance of many tribes. Decisions were taken by a majority vote. The revenue was claimed by the tribal oligarch known as Raja. The Sakyas and the Lichchhavis were important republics.

Question 13: Distinguish between Republic and Monarchy.

Answer:

So, these were From Janas to Mahajanapadas Questions & Answers.