From Chiefdoms to Empires Online Test- 6th Social Science Lesson 11 Questions in English

During the sixth Century BC (BCE) many territorial states emerged. This Led to the transformation of socio – economic and political life of the people in the Gangetic plains. Iron played a significant role in this transformation of society.

Knowledge in the use of iron gave Magadha an advantage over other Mahajanapadas. Thus, the Magadha could establish an empire of its own. Abundance of natural resources especially iron enabled them to equip themselves with weapons made of iron.

There were two kinds of government in north India during the sixth century BC (BCE) Gana - sanghas – non monarchical states. Kingdoms - monarchies

The term ‘gana’ means ‘people of equal status’. ‘Sangha’ means ‘assembly’. The gana - sanghas covered a small geographical area ruled by an elite group. The gana sanghas practiced egalitarian traditions.

A ‘kingdom’ means a territory ruled by a king or queen. In a kingdom (monarchy), a family, which rules for a long period becomes a dynasty. Usually these kingdoms adhered to orthodox Vedic traditions.

Janapadas were the earliest gathering places of men. Later, Janapadas became republics or smaller kingdoms. The widespread use of iron in Gangetic plain created conditions for the formation of larger territorial units transforming the janapadas into Mahajanapadas.

Sixteen Mahajanapadas dotted the IndoGangetic plain in the sixth century BC (BCE). It was a transition from a semi – nomadic kinship - based society to an agrarian society with networks of trade and exchange.

16 Mahajanapadas - Anga, Magadha, Vajji, Malla, Kasi, Kuru, Kosala, Avanti, Chedi, Vatsa, Panchala, Machcha, Surasena, Assaka, Gandhara and Kamboja

There were four major Mahajanapadas They were: Magadha in Bihar, Avanti in Ujjain, Kosala in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Vatsa in Kausambi, Allahabad.

The Causes for the Rise of Magadha are: Magadha was located on the lower part of the Gangetic plain. The plain was fertile which ensured the rich agricultural yield. This provided regular and substantial income to the state. The thick forests supplied timber for construction of buildings and elephants for army.

Four dynasties ruled over Magadha Empire. The Haryanka dynasty The Shishunaga dynasty The Nanda dynasty The Maurya dynasty

Magadha’s gradual rise to political supremacy began with Bimbisara of Haryanka dynasty. Bimbisara extended the territory of Magadhan Empire by conquests and by matrimonial alliances with Lichchhavis, Madra and Kosala.

Bimbisara extended the territory of Magadhan Empire by conquests and by matrimonial alliances with Lichchhavis, Madra and Kosala. Bimbisara son Ajatasatru, a contemporary of Buddha, convened the first Buddhist Council at Rajagriha.

Bimbisara son Ajatasatru, a contemporary of Buddha, convened the first Buddhist Council at Rajagriha. Udayin was the successor of Ajatasatru.

Magadha’s gradual rise to political supremacy began with Bimbisara of Haryanka dynasty. Udayin was the successor of Ajatasatru, laid the foundation of the new capital at Pataliputra.

Magadha’s gradual rise to political supremacy began with Bimbisara of Haryanka dynasty. Haryanka dynasty was succeeded by the Shishunaga dynasty.

Haryanka dynasty was succeeded by the Shishunaga dynasty. Kalasoka, a king of Shishunaga dynasty, shifted the capital from Rajagriha to Pataliputra.

Kalasoka, a king of Shishunaga dynasty, shifted the capital from Rajagriha to Pataliputra. He convened the second Buddhist Council at Vaishali.

Shishunaga dynasty was succeeded by the Nanda Dynasty. Nandas were the first empire builders of India.

Nandas were the first empire builders of India. The first Nanda ruler was Mahapadma. Mahapadma Nanda was succeeded by his eight sons.

Mahapadma Nanda was succeeded by his eight sons. They were, known as Navanandas (nine Nandas). Dhana Nanda, the last Nanda ruler, was overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya.

Nalanda was a large Buddhist monastery in ancient kingdom of Magadha. It became the most renowned seat of learning during the reign of Guptas. The word Nalanda is a Sanskrit combination of three words Na + alam + daa meaning “no stopping of the gift of knowledge”.

Inscriptions of Mauryan Empire are Edicts of Ashoka, Junagadh Inscription. Religious Literature of Mauryan Empire are Jain, Buddhist texts and Puranas.

Foreign Notices of Mauryan Empire are Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa and Indica. Inscriptions of Mauryan Empire are Edicts of Ashoka, Junagadh Inscription. Religious Literature of Mauryan Empire are Jain, Buddhist texts and Puranas.

Megasthenese was the ambassador of the Greek ruler, Seleucus, in the court of Chandra Gupta. His famous work is Indica.

Megasthenese stayed in India for 14 years. His book Indica is one of the main sources for the study of Mauryan Empire.

Grandeur of Pataliputra: The great capital city in the Mauryan Empire, which had 64 gates to the city with 570 watch towers.

The Mauryan Empire was the first largest empire in India. Chandragupta Maurya established the empire in Magadha.

Chandragupta Maurya established the empire in Magadha. Bhadrabahu, a Jain monk, took Chandragupta Maurya to the southern India.

Chandragupta performed Sallekhana (Jaina rituals in which a person fasts unto his death) in Sravanbelgola (Karnataka). Bhadrabahu, a Jain monk, took Chandragupta Maurya to the southern India.

Real name of Bindusara was Simhasena. He was the son of Chandragupta Maurya. Greeks called Bindusara as Amitragatha, meaning ‘slayer of enemies’

During Bindusara’s reign Mauryan Empire spread over large parts of India. He appointed his son Ashoka as a governor of Ujjain. After his death, Ashoka ascended the throne of Magadha.

Ashoka was the most famous of the Mauryan kings. He was known as ‘Devanam Piya’ meaning ‘beloved of the Gods’.

Ashoka fought the Kalinga war in 261 BC (BCE). He won the war and captured Kalinga. The horror of war was described by the king himself in the Rock Edict XIII.

The Emblem of the Indian Republic has been adopted from the Lion Capital of one of Ashokas pillars located at Sarnath. The wheel from the circular base, the Ashoka Chakra is a part of the National Flag.

After the battle of Kalinga, Ashoka became a Buddhist. He undertook tours (Dharmayatras) to different parts of the country instructing people on policy of Dhamma. The meaning of Dhamma is explained in Ashoka’s – Pillar Edict II.

Ashoka sent his son Mahinda and Sanghamitta to Srilanka to propagate Buddhism. He also sent missionaries to West Asia, Egypt, and Eastern Europe to spread the message of Dhamma.

The Dhamma-mahamattas were a new cadre of officials created by Ashoka. Their job was to spread dhamma all over the empire. Ashoka held the third Buddhist Council at his capital Pataliputra.

An Edict is an official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority or a king. Ashoka sent missionaries to West Asia, Egypt, and Eastern Europe to spread the message of Dhamma.

The 33 Edicts on the pillars as well as boulders and cave walls made by the Emperor Ashoka, describe in detail Ashoka’s belief in peace, righteousness, justice and his concern for the welfare of his people.

The script of the inscriptions: At Sanchi – Brahmi At Kandahar – Greek and Aramaic At North Western part – Kharoshthi.

The Rock Edicts II and XIII of Ashoka refer to the names of the three dynasties namely Pandyas, Cholas, the Keralaputras and the Sathyaputras.

Council of ministers of Mauryan Administration known as mantriparishad assisted the King. Assembly of ministers included a Purohit, a Senapathi, a Maha mantri and the Yuvaraja.

The land was the most important source of revenue for the state. The land tax (bhaga) collected was 1/6 of the total produce.

Ashokan inscription at Lumbini mentions bali and bagha as taxes collected from people. The land was the most important source of revenue for the state.

Revenue from taxes on forests, mines, salt and irrigation provided additional revenue to the government. Much of the State revenue was spent on paying the army, the officials of the royal government, on charities and on different public works such as irrigation project, road construction etc.

The king was the head of the Judiciary. He was the highest court of appeal. King appointed many judges subordinate to him. The punishments were harsh.

The king was the supreme commander of the army. A board of 30 members divided into six committees with five members on each, monitored.

Board of 30 members divided into six committees. Each had 5 members to manage the administration of the city. Town administration was under Nagarika. He was assisted by Sthanika and Gopa.

The Junagarh / Girnar Inscription of Rudradaman records that the construction of a water reservoir known as Sudarshana Lake was begun during the time of Chandragupta Maurya and completed during Ashoka’s reign.

The Junagarh / Girnar Inscription of Rudradaman records that the construction of a water reservoir known as Sudarshana Lake was begun during the time of Chandragupta Maurya and completed during Ashoka’s reign.

The punch marked silver coins (panas) which carry the symbols of the peacock k, and the hill and crescent copper coins called Mashakas formed the imperial currency.

Money was not only used for trade; even the Mauryan Administration paid its officers in cash. The punch marked silver coins (panas) which carry the symbols of the peacock, and the hill and crescent copper coins called Mashakas formed the imperial currency.

Trade flourished particularly with Greece (Hellenic) Malaya, Ceylon and Burma. The Arthasastra refers to the regions producing specialized textiles – Kasi (Benares), Vanga(Bengal), Kamarupa (Assam) and Madurai in Tamilnadu.

Yakshas were deities connected with water, fertility, trees, the forest and wilderness. Yakshis were their female counterpart.

A Stupa is a semi – spherical dome like structure constructed on brick or stone. The Buddha’s relics were placed in the centre of the dome.

Monolithic Pillar – Sarnath, crowning element in this pillar is Dharma chakra. Beginning of Rock cut Architecture Rock – Cut Caves of Barabar and Nagarjuna Hills.

There are several caves to the north of Bodh Gaya. Three caves in Barabar hills have dedicative inscription of Ashoka. And three in Nagarjuna hills have inscriptions of Dasharatha Maurya (grandson of Ashoka).

Reasons for the Decline of the Mauryan Empire: Ashoka’s successors were very weak. Continuous revolts in different parts of the empire. Invasion by the Bactrian Greeks weakened the empire.

Last Maurya ruler Brihadratha was killed by his commander Pushyamitra Sungha who established Sungha dynasty.

Explanation Ancient name Rajagriha - Rajgir Pataliputra - Patna Kalinga - Odisha

The Great Wall of China is an ancient series of fortification. During third century BC (BCE) emperor Qin-Shi Huang linked these walls on Northern border to protect his empire.

Temple of Zeus at Olympia, Greece, dedicated to the god Zeus, constructed during fifth century BC (BCE), It is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Bimbisara extended the territory of Magadhan Empire by conquests and by matrimonial alliances with Lichchhavis, Madra and Kosala.

Ajatasatru a contemporary of Buddha, convened the first Buddhist Council at Rajgriha.

The first Nanda ruler was Mahapadma. Mahapadma Nanda was succeeded by his eight sons. They were, known as Navanandas (nine Nandas).

Megasthenese was the ambassador of the Greek ruler, Seleucus, in the court of Chandra Gupta. His book Indica is one of the main sources for the study of Mauryan Empire.

Mauryan Empire – India’s First Empire, Capital Pataliputra (present day Patna, Bihar)

Greeks called Bindusara as Amitragatha, meaning ‘slayer of enemies’. During Bindusara reign Mauryan Empire spread over large parts of India.

Ashoka fought the Kalinga war in 261 BC (BCE). He won the war and captured Kalinga. The horror of war was described by the king himself in the Rock Edict XIII.

Ashoka sent his son Mahinda and Sanghamitta to Srilanka to propagate Buddhism. He also sent missionaries to West Asia, Egypt, and Eastern Europe to spread the message of Dhamma.

Beginning of Rock cut Architecture Rock – Cut Caves of Barabar and Nagarjuna Hills. Three caves in Barabar hills have dedicative inscription of Ashoka. And three in Nagarjuna hills have inscriptions of Dasharatha Maurya (grand son of Ashoka).