KINGS, FARMERS AND TOWNS

Chapter 2


Answer in 100-150 words 

1. Discuss the evidence of craft production in Early Historic cities. In what ways is this different from the evidence from Harappan cities? 

Answer:- 

Extensive and deep excavations in early historic cities have not been possible because these cities are still inhabited. In the Harappan civilization, we are quite fortunate that excavations have taken place extensively. Despite this flaw, we have found a lot of art in historic cities. These highlight the craftsmanship of those days. There is other evidence that highlights the craftsmanship of those days. The main features of such evidence are as follows:

Fine pottery bowls and dishes have been obtained from the 1. scenes. They are also glossy and we call them Northern Black Polished Ware. It seems that they were used by the wealthy.

2. Evidence of ornaments, tools, weapons, ships and statues has also been found. There are various items made of gold, silver, copper, bronze, ivory, glass, shell and terracotta.

3. The donor inscription states who, in terms of professionals and artisans, lived in the city. This included washer men, artisans, clerks, carpenters, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, and so on. It is noteworthy that there is no evidence of the use of iron in the city of Harappan.

4. artisans and craftsmen built their guilds. They collectively purchased raw materials, produced and marketed their products.

2. Describe the salient features of mahajanapadas. 

Answer:- 

The main characteristics of Mahajanapadas are as follows:

        • The most important Mahajanapadas were Bajji, Magadha, Kosala, Kuru, Panchala, Gandhara and Avanti.

        • Most of the Mahajanapadas were ruled by kings.

        • Some, called masses or sanghas, were oligarchies in which power was shared by several people, often referred to together as kings.

        • In some cases, as in the Bajji Sangha , kings probably controlled resources such as land together.

        • Each Mahajanapada had a capital city, which was often secure.

        • Brahman composed the Dharma Sutra which laid down rules for the rulers as well as other social classes. rulers were expected to be ideally Kshatriyas. Rulers were advised to collect tribute and tribute from cultivators, merchants and artisans.

        • Sometimes raids were made into neighboring states to acquire resources. These campaigns were recognized as legitimate means.

        • Gradually, some states acquired standing armies and maintained regular bureaucracies. Others continued to depend on militia, recruited from the peasantry.


3. How do historians reconstruct the lives of ordinary people? 

Answer:- Ordinary people could leave no historical evidence about their lives. Therefore, historians use a variety of sources to reconstruct the lives of ordinary people in ancient times. Important sources are:

1. The remains of houses and pottery give an idea of the life of the common people.

2. Some inscriptions and scriptures deal with the relationship between monarchy and subjects. It talks about taxes and happiness and the dissatisfaction of ordinary people.

3. Changing tools of artisans and farmers tells about people’s way of life.

4. Historians also rely on folklore to reconstruct the lives of people in ancient times.


4. Compare and contrast the list of things given to the Pandyan chief (Source 3) with those produced in the village of Danguna (Source 8). Do you notice any similarities or differences? 

Answer:- The gifts to the Pandya chief included many birds and animals, as well as ivory, fragrant wood, honey, sandal¬wood, garlic, and flowers. In contrast, the products produced in Dangura village included grass, animal skins, flowers, salt and other minerals. The only thing common to both lists is flowers.


5. List some of the problems faced by epigraphists.

Answer:- 

The problems faced by epigraphists are as follows:

       1. Sometimes, the letters of the inscription are very faintly carved, and thus the reconstruction is uncertain.

       2. sometimes, inscriptions may be damaged or letters may be missing.
    
       3. At times it is not easy to be sure of the exact meaning of the words used in the inscriptions, some of which may be specific to a particular place or time. Therefore, scholars are constantly debating and discussing alternative ways of reading inscriptions.

       4. Several thousand inscriptions have been discovered but not all have been deciphered, published and translated.

       5. There must be many more inscriptions, whichhave not survived the destruction
time. What is available, is only a fraction of all the inscriptions.

       6. There is also a possibility that what we consider politically or economically significant may not have been recorded in inscriptions. For example, there is no mention of routine agricultural practices and the joys and sorrows of daily existence in the inscriptions.

Write a short essay (about 500 words) on the following: 

6. Discuss the main features of Mauryan administration. Which of these elements are evident in the Asokan inscriptions that you have studied? 

Answer:- The main features of the Mauryan administration are as follows:

        1. There were five major political centers in the empire i.e. the capital Pataliputra and the provincial centers of Taxila, Ujjain, Tosali and Subhamagiri.

        2. Communications existed both by land and river routes. This was crucial to the survival of the Empire.

        3. Since the journey from the center to the provinces can take a long time, there were arrangements for passengers as well as safety measures,

        4. The Mauryas kept a large army. Megasthenes mentions a committee with six sub-committees to coordinate military activities which are as follows:

            • one to look after the navy;

            • a second for transportation and systems management;

            • The third was responsible for the infantry;

            • the fourth for horses;

            • the fifth for chariots;

            • sixth for elephants.

The element that there were five major political centres in the empire – the capital Pataliputra, and the provincial centres of Taxila, Ujjayini, Tosali and Suvamagiri – all have been mentioned in the Asoka’s inscriptions.


7. This is a statement made by one of the best-known epigraphists of the twentieth century, D.C. Sircar: “There is no aspect of life, culture and activities of the Indians that is not reflected in inscriptions.” Discuss. 

Answer:- The eminent epigraphist D.C. Sircar’s statement highlights the importance of inscriptions as a single source of information that touches all areas of our lives. The main areas in which we obtained information from the inscriptions are given below

1. Demarcation of kingdoms: The inscriptions were carved in the regions of the kings and more importantly often not near the borders. This helps us to find the boundaries of the kingdom and its extensions.

2. Names of the kings: The inscription mentions the names of the kings. The names and titles used by Asoka the Great were revealed only through inscriptions.

3. Historical Events: Important historical events are mentioned in the inscriptions. The best example is how the event of the Kalinga War is mentioned in the inscriptions and how Ashoka converted them to the Dhamma.

4. Information about the conduct of the kings: The inscriptions describe the conduct and character of the kings well. It is through inscriptions that we know that Asoka worked for the welfare of the people.

5. Information about administration: The inscriptions gave information about administration. This is through inscriptions. We know that Asoka appointed his son as Viceroy.

6. Land Settlements and Taxes: Inscriptions indicate how land was granted or gifted. It also tells about various taxes imposed by the rulers.
There is no area of the rule of our lives that is not addressed in the inscription. Therefore, we are in DC. I am inclined to agree with Sircar who says, "There is no aspect of the life, culture, and activities of the Indians which is not reflected in the inscriptions."

8. Discuss the notions of kingship that developed in the post-Mauryan period. 

Answer:- In the post-Mauryan period, the concept of kingship became associated with divine kingship. Now, the monarchies began to speak of God's approval to rule the people. Kushan rulers promoted the same idea on a non-contemporary scale. They ruled from Central Asia to western India. We can discuss kingship based on dynasties.

1. Kushan kings: The Kushan kings claimed to be sons of the gods and therefore, divine status. They built their great statues in the temple.

2. Gupta Rulers: The second development of kingship is found during the Gupta dynasty. This was the time of the kingdom of great size. Such kingdoms depended on feudal lords who sometimes became powerful enough to usurp the power of kings.

3. Literature, coins and inscriptions helped us create the history of those days. Often poets describe the monarchy often to compliment them but also provide insight into history and kingship. A good example is Harichan who praised the great Gupta ruler Samudragupta.


9. To what extent were agricultural practices transformed in the period under consideration? 

Answer:- 

After 600 BC, the demand for taxes increased. It forced farmers to increase productivity to meet the demand for high taxes, without taking less production. This led to the use of new tools and agricultural methods. The important ones are as follows:

1. Plowing: Plowing became common. In the past, they were rarely heard of. Plowing began in the Ganges and Cauvery basins. In places where there was plenty of rainfall, the ax was used with an iron head. This increased paddy production many times over.

2. Use of Ishkapan: Another tool that changes the agricultural system is the hoe. Farmers who lived in areas of harsh land used shovels.

3. Artificial Irrigation: In addition to rainfall, farmers are now looking at artificial forms of irrigation. This often prompted farmers to build wells, ponds and – canals all at once. It increased agricultural production.

The production increased due to new technology and tools. This created a new strata in the society. In the Buddhist literature, there is a description of small and big farmers. They were called Grihpatis. Similar description is given in the Tamil literature too. The position of village head was often hereditary. In such a situation the ownership of land became very important.

Map work 

10. Compare Maps 1 and 2, and list the mahajanapadas that might have been included in the Mauryan Empire. Are any Asokan inscriptions found in these areas? 

Answer:-


Project (any one) 

11. Collect newspapers for one month. Cut and paste all the statements made by government officials about public works. Note what the reports say about the resources required for such projects, how the resources are mobilised and the objective of the project. Who issues these statements, and how and why are they communicated? Compare and contrast these with the evidence from inscriptions discussed in this chapter. What are the similarities and differences that you notice? 

Answer:-


12. Collect five different kinds of currency notes and coins in circulation today. For each one of these, describe what you see on the obverse and the reverse (the front and the back). Prepare a report on the common features as well as the differences in terms of pictures, scripts and languages, size, shape and any other element that you find significant. Compare these with the coins shown in this chapter, discussing the materials used, the techniques of minting, the visual symbols and their significance and the possible functions that coins may have had. 

Answer:-



Type By- Bikash Bora