Chapter 5: Kingdoms, Kings and an Early Republic

(a) True

The Rajas who allowed the ashvameda horse to pass through their lands showed that they accepted the supremacy of the Raja performing the sacrifice. These Rajas were then invited to attend the sacrifice.

(b) False

The charioteer was the raja’s companion on the battlefield and bore witness to many of his deeds and exploits. Thus, it was the charioteer who sang poems and recounted tales glorifying the deeds of the Raja and Priests performed the rituals, including the sprinkling of sacred water on the king.

(c) False

It has been discovered by archaeologists that people lived in huts and kept cattle and other animals in the many settlements of the janapadas.

(d) False

Plates and bowls are the most common vessels made out of Painted Grey Ware. These were used on special occasions, for important people, and to serve special food.

(e) True

Most mahajanapadas had a capital city, and many of them were fortified.

Solution: Farmers – Gave one-sixth of the produce to the state

Craftspersons – Contributed to labour

Herder – Contributed in the form of animal produce

Traders  – Stimulated commercial activity by buying and selling goods

Hunter-gatherers  – Would provide forest produce such as elephants, furs and other items as a tribute

The following groups couldn’t participate in the assemblies of the ganas:

1. Women

2. Dasas, the slaves

3. Kammakaras, the landless labourers

Solution: The rajas of mahajanapadas built forts to defend their capital city from attacks by other rajas. It is also said that they wanted to show how rich and powerful they were by building large and powerful walls. The more practical reason could be that it was easier to govern fortified cities.

Solution: In janapadas, men became ‘rajas’ by performing the Ashvamedha sacrifice. The rajas who let the Ashvamedha horse pass through their lands meant that they accepted the supremacy of the raja who wanted to perform the sacrifice.

In modern times, leaders are elected through a democratic system. Every citizen who is 18 years or older has the right to cast their vote. The candidates who win the majority of votes become the leaders.

Solution: The answer is subjective to the region and area you live in. Take the assistance of your subject teacher and the map given on page 57 in the textbook to prepare your answer.

Solution: Out of the groups mentioned in answer 2, traders are the ones who pay taxes today.

Solution: Today, voting rights are not decided by gender or profession. Women, ‘kammakaras’ and ‘dasas’ were not entitled to attend assemblies in the older days.