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?
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2. Describe the salient features of mahajanapadas.
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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.
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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.
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?
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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?
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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?
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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.
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