WBBSE Solutions For Class 6 History Chapter 7 Economy And Society Topic A Age Of Sixteen Mahajanapadas And Mauryan Empire

 Chapter 7 Economy And Society Topic A Age Of Sixteen Mahajanapadas And Mauryan Empire

Salient Points At A Glance

The Sixteen Mahajanapadas:

In the first half of 6th century BC there was no unified central government in North India. North India was divided into sixteen kingdoms or mahajanapadas. Magadha, one of the Sixteen Mahajanapadas, later developed into an empire.

Northern Black Polished Ware:

During the time of Gautama Buddha a particular kind of earthenware pottery was found by the archaeologists. This is known as Northern Black Polished Ware. These vessels were well burnt in oven to make them black. After burning they were polished.

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Sudarshan Lake:

The Sudarshan Lake was constructed in ancient India by royal initiative. Chandragupta Maurya, got it dug in Kathiawar region. It was actually a big river irrigation project.

During Ashoka’s reign, some new canals were added to it. The Saka ruler Rudradaman renovated it in 150 AD. It was again renovated during the rule of the Gupta emperor Skandagupta.

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Gatha Saptashati:

The Satavahana king Hala composed the book Gatha Saptashati in Prakrit in about 1st or 2nd century. It was actually a compilation of 700 sagas.

À comprehensive idea of the rural life in the south during the Satavahana period, can be obtained from this book.

Agrahara System:

Agrahara system refers to the system of donation of a non-taxable land to a Brahmin or a religious centre. After the 3rd century, this system became more widespread under the Guptas.

Streedhan:

Generally, women had no claims or rights to property during the ancient period. However there is mention of ‘Streedhan’ or ‘woman’s wealth’ in the religious texts (shastras) and the Arthashastra.

The gift items or property which a woman received at the time of her marriage was regarded as woman’s wealth.

Faxian (Fa-Hien):

Faxian, the Chinese traveller, came to India during the reign of the Gupta emperor, Chandragupta II. In his writings he has described the society and people of the Indian subcontinent.

His account of India is an important source for the study of the Mauryan empire.

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Xuanzang (Hieun-Tsang):

Xuanzang, the Chinese traveller, came to India during the reign of Harshavardhana. In his writing Xuanzang has referred to Indians as In-Tu. He wrote that the country was divided into five parts and eighty kingdoms.

In-Tu:

The Chinese historian Xuanzang (Hieun-Tsang) had referred to India as In-Tu in his works. He had written that the people of In-Tu called their country by different names.

According to him, this country had five parts-north, south, east, west, central and consisted of eighty kingdoms. He referred to In-Tu as a hot tropical country.

He also stated that the chief agricultural crops grown there were paddy and wheat. Caste system prevailed in the society.

 

 

Chapter 7 Topic A Age Of Sixteen Mahajanapadas And Mauryan Empire Descriptive Questions

Question 1. Describe agriculture, animal husbandry and trade and commerce during the age of the Sixteen Mahajanapadas.
Answer:

Agriculture, animal husbandry and trade and commerce during the age of the Sixteen Mahajanapadas:

In the 6th century BC during the age of the Sixteen Mahajanapadas, economy was based on agriculture, animal husbandry and trade and commerce.

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1. Agriculture:

From the 6th century BC agriculture became the main occupation of the people. Land was divided on the basis of the fertility of soil. Different types of crops were sown in different seasons.

2. Animal Husbandry:

Animal husbandry was also an important occupation. Cattle was used for cultivation.

3. Trade and Commerce:

Gradually trade, and became an important occupation. In the beginning trade was carried through land routes. Merchandise was carried in bullock carts. Rivers and seas were also used for trading purposes.

4. Handicraft industries:

Many people engaged themselves in different occupations like pottery making, weaving, tool making, jewellery making, etc.

Question 2. Describe the economic condition during the Mauryan period. Or, Give an account of the economy of the Mauryan period.
Answer:

The economic condition during the Mauryan period. Or, Give an account of the economy of the Mauryan period:

In the Mauryan period economic condition was comparatively better than that of the earlier periods.

1. Agriculture:

In the Mauryan period economy was mainly based on agriculture. Due to the presence of ample rivers and rainfall twice a year the land was fertile. Most of the people were engaged in agricultural work.

2. Role of State in Economy:

In the Mauryan Age the state supervised the work of merchants and craftsmen. Royal officers were appointed to collect information on commercial matters. Some officers supervised over the mines and mineral resources which included salt.

Some royal officers looked into the matter of roads and communication. The state also supervised the manufacture of cotton thread and minting of coins.

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3. Communication System:

To improve the economy, communication system was improved. The communication system between the capital and other regions of the empire was developed.

Question 3. Briefly discuss the social life in the Mauryan age.
Answer:

The social life in the Mauryan age:

We come to know about the social life of the people in the Mauryan age from the books such as Megasthenes’ Indika, Kautilya’s Arthashastra and the inscriptions of Ashoka.

1. Discrimination:

In the Mauryan society there were discriminations between the rich and the poor.

2. Position of women:

In the Mauryan age women had the right to take up certain occupations outside their household work. They sometimes even worked as workers in cotton yarn production. Women were sometimes appointed as spies and royal officers.

3. Social classes:

Megasthenes had observed several occupational or professional groups. According to him, Indian society was divided into seven castes-brahmin or wise men, farmers, herders and hunters, artists and merchants, soldiers, spies or foreign travellers and royal officials or ministers.

4. Dress:

In the Mauryan age common man used to wear ‘dhoti’ and ‘chador’. Women used ‘dupatta’ which were wrapped over their garments. Rich people and members of royal family used to wear costly garments and expensive stones and gold jewellery.

Question 4. What did Megasthenes write about the Indian society in the Mauryan age?
Answer:

The Indian society in the Mauryan age:

Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador, came to the court of Chandragupta Maurya. He wrote about the Indian society in the Mauryan age.

1. Megasthenes did not write about the four varnas which existed in the Indian society. He had observed several occupational or professional groups.

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According to him, Indian society was divided into seven castes

1. Brahmins or wise men,
2. Farmers,
3. Herders and hunters,
4. Artists and merchants,
5. Soldiers,
6. Spies or foreign travellers and
7. Royal officials or ministers.

2. Megasthenes writes that there was no slavery in India.
3. According to him, Indians did not reside in cities in ancient times.
4. He also writes that people of other races were not attacked by the Indians. Indians were also not attacked by people of any other race. It was only Alexander who invaded India.
5. He observed that there was never a drought in India.

But it is to be noted that all his statements are not always correct.

 

Chapter 7 Topic A Age Of Sixteen Mahajanapadas And Mauryan Empire  Analytical Questions

Question 1. How did agriculture become the main occupation of the people in the Sixteen Mahajanapadas?
Answer:

Agriculture become the main occupation of the people in the Sixteen Mahajanapadas:

In the janapadas and mahajanapadas there were many cultivators among the population. In the mahajanapadas the resources needed for the maintenance of the royal officers and the soldiers used to come from agriculture.

Most of the mahajanapadas were situated in the Gangetic Valley. Water was available from the rivers. Rainfall was also sufficient most of the times. So the soil was very fertile and suitable for cultivation.

So agriculture became the main occupation of the people in the Sixteen Mahajanapadas.

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Question 2. What do you mean by Northern Black Polished Ware?
Answer:

Northern Black Polished Ware:

During the time of Gautama Buddha a particular kind of earthenware pottery was found by the archaeologists. This is known as Northern Black Polished Ware.

These vessels were made with very good quality clay and were well burnt in oven to make them black. After burning these were polished. These vessels were as shiny as mirrors.

Specimens of these earthenware vessels like plates and different kinds of bowls have been found.

 

 

Question 3. Write about the cultivation of crops in the Sixteen Mahajanapadas of the Indian subcontinent.
Answer:

The cultivation of crops in the Sixteen Mahajanapadas of the Indian subcontinent:

In the age of Sixteen Mahajanapadas agriculture was the main occupation of the people. During this period different types of crops were grown in different seasons. Different crops bore different names according to the seasons.

Though paddy was the most important crop, wheat, barley and sugarcane were also cultivated. Shali paddy, mostly cultivated in the Magadha region was the best in quality.

Question 4. How do you know that iron was widely used during the period of the Sixteen Mahajanapadas?
Answer:

Iron was widely used during the period of the Sixteen Mahajanapadas:

We come to know about the widespread use of iron during the age of the Sixteen Mahajanapadas from the iron articles and weapons which have been excavated. Choppers, axes and blades of ploughs made of iron have been found.

Iron mines were also discovered in different regions of the Middle Ganga Valley.

Question 5. What are the features of the second phase of urbanisation?
Answer:

The features of the second phase of urbanisation:

The second phase of urbanisation took place in 600 BC. In this phase, the capitals of most of the Mahajanapadas were famous cities which were larger than the rural settlements. They were protected by stone, earth or brick walls.

People concerned with commerce and administration lived in the cities. They were supplied food from the farmers in the villages. The city-dwellers also took up some new occupations and professions.

Question 6. How did the state control the economy in the Mauryan Age?
Answer:

The state control the economy in the Mauryan Age:

In the Mauryan Age the state supervised the work of merchants and craftsmen. Royal officers were appointed to collect information on commercial matters. Some officers supervised over the mines and mineral resources which included salt.

Some royal officers looked into the matter of roads and communication. The state also supervised the manufacture of cotton thread and minting of coins.

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Question 7. What were the social classes in India according to Megasthenes?
Answer:

The social classes in India according to Megasthenes:

Megasthenes had observed several occupational or professional groups.

According to him, Indian society was divided into seven castes

1. Brahmin or wise men,
2. Farmers,
3. Herders and hunters,
4. Artists and merchants,
5. Soldiers,
6. Spies or foreign travellers and
7. Royal officials or ministers.

 

Chapter 7 Topic A Age Of Sixteen Mahajanapadas And Mauryan Empire Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. What was the best quality paddy in the age of the mahajanapadas? Where was it cultivated?
Answer:

The best quality paddy in the age of the mahajanapadas? Where was it cultivated:

The best quality paddy in the age of the officers. mahajanapadas was Shali. It was cultivated mostly in the Magadha region.

Question 2. Why was there a decrease in the num- ber of cattle sacrifices after 5th century BC?
Answer:

Decrease in the num- ber of cattle sacrifices after 5th century BC:

After the 5th century BC, animal husbandry was prevalent along with cultivation. Cattle was needed for cultivation. So there was a decrease in the sacrifices of cattle as it was needed for cultivation.

Question 3. Why was there improvement in com- merce in the age of the mahajanapa- das?
Answer:

Improvement in com- merce in the age of the mahajanapa- das:

In the age of the mahajanapadas there was an overall increase in the circulation of coins. This led to improvement in both internal and external trade.

In other words, with the development of currency system there was overall development of trade and commerce.

Question 4. What was the position of women in the age of the mahajanapadas?
Answer:

The position of women in the age of the mahajanapadas:

In the age of the mahajanapadas, women’s status was lower than that of men. Educational opportunities for women were diminished. Early marriage of girls were prevalent at that
time.

Question 5. What was the condition of women in the Mauryan age?
Answer:

The condition of women in the Mauryan age:

In the Mauryan age women had the right to take up certain occupations outside their household work. They sometimes even worked in cotton yarn production. Women were sometimes appointed as spies and royal officers.

Question 6. How was the communication system in the Mauryan period?
Answer:

The communication system in the Mauryan period:

In the Mauryan period, the communi- cation system between the capital and other regions of the empire was developed. To supervise the roads royal officers were appointed.

Signposts, like milestone of present days, were set up on the sides of the roads. The signposts were set up to indicate distance and direction.

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Question 7. How was the agricultural system of the Mauryan period?
Answer:

The agricultural system of the Mauryan period:

In the Mauryan period there was large production of a variety of crops. Due to the presence of ample rivers and rainfall twice a year the land was fertile.

Most of the people were engaged in agricultural work. So attention was paid to increase cultivable land.

Question 8 Write a note on the dress of the people in the Mauryan age.
Answer:

The dress of the people in the Mauryan age:

In the Mauryan age common man used to wear ‘dhoti’ and ‘chador’. Women used ‘dupatta’ which were wrapped over their garments.

Rich people and members of royal families used to wear costly garments and expensive stones and gold jewellery. Silk and woollen clothes were also used. Cotton clothes were much in demand.

 

Chapter 7 Topic A Age Of Sixteen Mahajanapadas And Mauryan Empire Objective Type Questions

State whether the following statements are true or false

Question 1. Janapada may refer to an agrarian rural region.
Answer: True

Question 2. Most of the mahajanapadas were in the Gangetic valley.
Answer: True

Question 3. In the Magadhan age all people enjoyed rights over land.
Answer: False

Question 4. Agriculture was the main occupation of the people in the age of the mahajanapadas.
Answer: True

Question 5. Buddhism and Jainism sanctioned the giving and receiving of loans.
Answer: True

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Question 6. The second urbanisation took place in 500 BC.
Answer: False

Question 7. There was no state supervision over minting of coins in the Mauryan age.
Answer: False

Question 8. Megasthenes knew about the four varnas in the Indian society.
Answer: False

Question 9. Economy in the Mauryan age was dependent on agriculture.
Answer: True

Question 10. In the age of mahajanapadas weapons made of stones were used.
Answer: False

Question 11. In the age of mahajanapadas iron tools were used in South India.
Answer: True

Question 12. Common men of the Mauryan age used to wear ‘dhoti’ and wrap a ‘dupatta’ over their garments.
Answer: False

Question 13. In the Mauryan age salt was considered as a mineral product.
Answer: True

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Chapter 7 Topic A Age Of Sixteen Mahajanapadas And Mauryan Empire Fill In The Blanks

By selecting the appropriate option from the brackets

Question 1. Shali Paddy was mostly grown in __________ (Magadha/Pataliputra/Vrijji) region.
Answer: Magadha

Question 2. The number of animal sacrifices got greatly reduced after the __________ (4th/5th/6th)century BC.
Answer: 5th

Question 3. __________(Agra/Varanasi/Magadha) was famous as a textile centre.
Answer: Varanasi

Question 4. Karshapana was a widely prevalent__________ (coin/script/tax) in the age of the mahajanapadas.
Answer: Coin

Question 5. The urbanisation that took place in __________ (800/600/400) BC was called the second phase of urbanisation.
Answer: 600

Question 6. Megasthenes divided the Indian society into __________ (six/seven/eight) divisions.
Answer: Seven

Question 7. India was attacked by __________ (Alexander/Megasthenes /Porus).
Answer: Alexander

 

Chapter 7 Topic A Age Of Sixteen Mahajanapadas And Mauryan Empire Answer In A Complete Sentence

Question 1. What was the main occupation of the people in the age of the mahajanapadas?
Answer: Agriculture was the main occupation of the people in the age of the mahajanapadas.

Question 2. What is Karshapan?
Answer: Karshapan was a kind of currency used during the period of the Sixteen Mahajanapadas.

Question 3. Which was the famous centre of weaving in the age of the mahajanapadas?
Answer: Varanasi was the famous centre of weaving in the age of the mahajanapadas.

Question 4. In the age of the mahajanapadas what were used for making jewellery?
Answer: In the age of the mahajanapadas various precious and semi precious stones and beads were used for making jewellery.

Question 5. What were the weapons of mahajanapadas made of?
Answer: The weapons of the mahajanapadas were made of iron.

Question 6. Name the animals that were traded in the age of mahajanapadas?
Answer: Cows and horses were traded in the age of mahajanapadas.

Question 7. How did some merchants travel far for commercial purposes?
Answer: Some merchants carried merchandise in bullock carts to travel far for commercial purposes.

Question 8. What was the shape of the silver coins recovered during the age of the mahajanapadas?
Answer: The silver coins recovered during the age of the mahajanapadas were round and square shaped.

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Question 9. When did the second urbanisation develop?
Answer: Almost after a thousand years of Harappan civilisation the second urbanisation developed.

Question 10. What do you mean by first urbanisation?
Answer: In ancient India the first city grew up in Harappa which is known as first urbanisation.

Question 11. What is the main feature of the Northern Black Polished Ware found by the archaeologists in northern India?
Answer: The main feature of the Northern Black Polished Ware found by the archaeologists is that they are shiny like mirrors.

Question 12. Mention some occupations during the period of the mahajanapadas.
Answer: During the period of the mahajanapadas some occupations that were prevalent are barber, washerman and physician.

Question 13. Who used to supervise the work of merchants and craftsmen in the Mauryan period?
Answer: The state used to supervise the work of merchants and craftsmen in the Mauryan period.

Question 14. What was used for building houses in the Mauryan period?
Answer: In the Mauryan period houses were built with mud, stone, brick or wood.

Question 15. What was the dress of men in the Mauryan age?
Answer: In the Mauryan age men used to wear ‘dhoti’ and ‘chador’ and also turban.

Question 16. Who said that slavery did not exist in India?
Answer: Megasthenes said that slavery did not exist in India.

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Chapter 7 Topic A Age Of Sixteen Mahajanapadas And Mauryan Empire Select The Most Appropriate Option For The Following Statement

Question 1. The number of animals sacrifices decreased after 500 BC.
1. The number of domesticated animals increased.
2. The cattle were needed for the purpose of cultivation.
3. Many animals died of various epidemics.

Answer: 2. The cattle were needed for the purpose of cultivation.

Question 2. Since 6th century BC the land allotted for settlement and cultivation increased quantitatively.
1. Many barren lands were reclaimed by the government.
2. Settlements and cultivable lands grew up on the fertile river valleys.
3. The forests could be easily cleared with the help of iron axes.

Answer: 3. The forests could be easily cleared with the help of iron axes.

Question 3. The emergence of cities in the Harappan civilisation is known as the first phase of urbanisation.
1. According to ancient Indian history the first city was found in the Harappan civilisation.
2. The first features of the city could be discerned in ancient Harappa.
3. Harappa was the largest city in ancient India.

Answer: 1. According to ancient Indian history the first city was found in the Harappan civilisation.

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Question 4. In 6th century BC, the food for the city dwellers was supplied from the villages regularly.
1. Surplus food was grown in the villages.
2. The city dwellers could not produce their own food.
3. The city dwellers paid higher prices for the food produced in the villages.

Answer: 2. The city dwellers could not produce their own food.

Question 5. In the age of the Sixteen Mahajanapadas, there was a growing social trend of getting girls married at an early age.
1. There were less opportunities for education of girls.
2. There was a custom of marrying girls at a young age.
3. According to Kulinism, girls had to be married at a young age.

Answer: 1. There were less opportunities for education of girls.

 

Chapter 7 Topic A Age Of Sixteen Mahajanapadas And Mauryan Empire Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1. In the age of the mahajanapadas, the total number of mahajanapadas were

1. Ten
2. Sixteen
3. Fifteen
4. Twenty

Answer: 2. Sixteen

Question 2. 6th century BC is important for the rise of the

1. Mauryan Empire
2. Mahajanapadas
3. Kushana Empire
4. Gupta Empire

Answer: 2. Mahajanapadas

Question 3. Northern Black Polished Ware were made of

1. Clay
2. Stone
3. Copper
4. Iron

Answer: 1. Clay

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Question 4. A common form of currency in the Mauryan period was

1. Nishka
2. Tanka
3. Karshapan
4. Dinar

Answer: 3. Karshapan

Question 5. In the Mauryan period royal officers were appointed to collect information about

1. Minting Of Coin
2. Commerce
3. Agriculture
4. Administration

Answer: 2. Commerce

Question 6. During the age of the mahajanapadas in south India agricultural tools were made of

1. Iron
2. Stone
3. Copper
4. Steel

Answer: 1. Iron