Bhavan’s Public School Doha- Qatar, 2022-2023

Class 6 History
Chapter 5 - Kingdoms, Kings and Early Republic
Let’s Recall

1. State whether true or false:

(a) Rajas who led the ashvamedha horse pass through their lands were invited to the
sacrifice.-TRUE
(b) The charioteer sprinkled sacred water on the king-FALSE

(c) Archaeologists have found palaces in the settlements of the janapadas-false

(d) Pots to store grain were made out of Painted Grey Ware-TRUE

(e) Many cities in mahajanapadas were fortified-TRUE

2. Fill in the chart given below with the terms: hunter-gatherers, farmers, traders,
craftspersons, herders.
Hunter-gatherers: They had to provide forest produce such as elephants, furs and other
items as a tribute to the raja.

Farmers: They gave one-sixth of the produce to the state.

Traders: There were taxes on goods that were bought and sold, through trade.

Crafts persons: Taxes on crafts persons could have been in the form of labour.

Herders: They paid taxes in the form of animals and animal produce.

3. Who were the groups who could not participate in the assemblies of the ganas?

The groups who could not participate in the assemblies of the ganas were:

 Women
 Dasas, the slaves
 Kammakaras, the landless labourers

Let’s Discuss
 4. Why did the rajas of mahajanapadas build forts?

The rajas of mahajanapadas built forts in order to protect their capital city and
their people from attacks by other rajas. It is also likely that they wanted to show
how rich and powerful they were by building large, powerful and impressive walls
around their cities. Another prominent reason could be that it was easier to
control the land and the people living inside the fortified cities.

5. In what ways are present-day elections different from the ways in which rulers
were chosen in janapadas?

Present-day elections are conducted based on a democratic system in which all

the citizens above 18 years have the right to vote for their favourite candidates.
The candidate who wins the majority of votes becomes the public leader. On the
other hand, in janapadas, there was no such system of voting. During this period,
the men who performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice were chosen to be the kings.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. What was the purpose of ashvamedha and how was it organized?

Ashvamedha was a ritual for choosing the raja. In Ashvamedha, a horse was let
loose to wander freely and it was guarded by the raja’s men. If the horse enterred
into the kingdoms of other rajas and they stopped it, they had to fight. If they allowed
the horse to pass, it meant that they accepted that the raja who wanted to perform
the sacrifice was stronger than them. These rajas were then invited to the sacrifice,
which was performed by specially trained priests. The raja who organized the
sacrifice was recognized as being very powerful, and all those who came brought
gifts for him.
2. Write a brief note on P.G.W. or Painted Grey Ware.
P.G.W. or the Painted Grey Ware

 Plates and bowls are the most common vessels made out of Painted Grey Ware.
These are extremely fine to touch, with a nice, smooth surface.
 Perhaps Painted Grey Wares were used on special occasions, for important
people and to serve special types of food.

3. State about taxes imposed on the groups of people.

Raja imposed taxes on all groups of people. The taxes were collected as under:
 1. Tax on crops was begun, that was l/6th part of what was produced. This tax was
called ‘bhaga’.
2. Taxes on craftspersons in the form of labour. They had to work for a day in every
month for the king.
3. Herders also paid taxes in form of animals and animals produces.
4. There were also taxes on goods that were bought and sold through trade.
5. Hunters and gatherers also had to provide forest produces as tax.

4. How were forests and rivers important for the Magadha? Describe.
Raja imposed taxes on all groups of people. The taxes were collected as under:

1. Tax on crops was begun, that was l/6th part of what was produced. This tax was
called ‘bhaga’.
2. Taxes on craftspersons in the form of labour. They had to work for a day in every
month for the king.
3. Herders also paid taxes in form of animals and animals produces.
4. There were also taxes on goods that were bought and sold through trade.
5. Hunters and gatherers also had to provide forest produces as tax.

ACTIVITY
On the outline map of India mark the important Mahajanapadas and Janapadas.