Professional Documents
Culture Documents
d
e
h
s
T
i
l
R
b
E
u
C
p
e
N
r
e
b
o
t
t
How some men became rulers
o
n
54
OUR PASTSI
d
e
h
s
T
i
l
R
b
E
u
C
p
e
N
r
e
b
o
t
t
Varnas
o
n
55
KINGDOMS, KINGS AND
AN EARLY REPUBLIC
Last were the shudras, who had to serve the other three groups and
could not perform any rituals. Often, women were also grouped with the
shudras. Both women and shudras were not allowed to study the Vedas.
The priests also said that these groups were decided on the basis of
birth. For example, if ones father and mother were brahmins one would
automatically become a brahmin, and so on. Later, they classified some
people as untouchable. These included some crafts persons, hunters
and gatherers, as well as people who helped perform burials and
cremations. The priests said that contact with these groups was polluting.
Many people did not accept the system of varna laid down by the
brahmins. Some kings thought they were superior to the priests. Others
felt that birth could not be a basis for deciding which varna people
belonged to. Besides, some people felt that there should be no differences
amongst people based on occupation. Others felt that everybody should
be able to perform rituals. And others condemned the practice of
untouchability. Also, there were many areas in the subcontinent, such
as the north-east, where social and economic differences were not very
sharp, and where the influence of the priests was limited.
Why did people oppose the system of varnas?
d
e
h
s
T
i
l
R
b
E
u
C
p
e
N
r
e
b
o
t
t
o
n
56
OUR PASTSI
Janapadas
d
e
h
s
T
i
l
R
b
E
u
C
p
e
N
r
e
b
o
t
t
Mahajanapadas
o
n
57
KINGDOMS, KINGS AND
AN EARLY REPUBLIC
d
e
h
s
T
i
l
R
b
E
u
C
p
e
N
r
e
b
o
t
t
o
n
58
OUR PASTSI
d
e
h
s
T
i
l
R
b
E
u
C
p
e
N
r
e
b
o
t
t
Taxes
o
n
Changes in agriculture
There were two major changes in agriculture
around this time. One was the growing use of
iron ploughshares. This meant that heavy, clayey
soil could be turned over better than with a
wooden ploughshare, so that more grain could
be produced. Second, people began transplanting
paddy. This meant that instead of scattering seed
on the ground, from which plants would sprout,
saplings were grown and then planted in the
fields. This led to increased production, as many
more plants survived. However, it was back
breaking work. Generally, slave men and women,
(dasas and dasis) and landless agricultural
labourers (kammakaras) had to do this work.
Can you think why kings would encourage
these changes?
d
e
h
s
T
i
l
R
b
E
u
C
p
e
N
r
e
b
o
t
t
A closer look (a) Magadha
o
n
60
OUR PASTSI
d
e
h
s
T
i
l
R
b
E
u
C
p
e
N
r
e
b
o
t
t
o
n
Gana
Is used for a
group that has
many members.
Sangha
Means
organisation or
association.
61
KINGDOMS, KINGS AND
AN EARLY REPUBLIC
KEYWORDS
raja
ashvamedha
varna
janapada
mahajanapada
fortification
army
d
e
h
s
T
i
l
R
b
E
u
C
p
e
N
r
e
b
o
t
t
tax
transplantation
gana or sangha
democracy
o
n
62
OUR PASTSI
Elsewhere
Find Greece and Athens in your atlas.
Around 2500 years ago, the people of Athens set up a form of
government, which was called a democracy, which lasted for about 200
years.
All free men over the age of 30 were recognised as full citizens.
There was an assembly that met at least 40 times a year to decide on
important matters.
All citizens could attend these meetings.
Appointments for many positions were made through lottery. All those
who wanted to be chosen gave in their names, and then some were
selected through lottery.
Citizens were expected to serve in the army and the navy.
However, women were not considered citizens.
Also, many foreigners, who lived and worked in Athens as merchants
and crafts persons did not have rights as citizens.
Besides, there were several thousand slaves in Athens, who worked
in mines, fields, households and workshops. They too were not treated
as citizens.
Do you think this was a true democracy?
d
e
h
s
T
i
l
R
b
E
u
C
p
e
N
r
e
b
o
t
t
Imagine
Lets recall
o
n
1.
63
KINGDOMS, KINGS AND
AN EARLY REPUBLIC
SOME IMPORTANT
2.
DATES
X
Fill in the chart given below with the terms: huntergatherers, farmers, traders, crafts persons, herders.
Mahajanapadas (about
2500 years ago)
Alexanders invasion,
composition of the
Digha Nikaya (about
2300 years ago)
d
e
h
s
T
i
l
R
b
E
u
C
p
e
N
r
e
b
o
t
t
THE RAJA OF THE
MAHAJANAPADA
3.
Lets discuss
4.
5.
Lets do
o
n
64
OUR PASTSI
6.
7.
8.