CBSE Class 6 Social Science: Kingdoms, Kings and an Early Republic NCERT Solutions

Let's evaluate each statement:

(a) True. Kings who allowed the 'ashvamedha' horse to pass through their territories were acknowledging the performing king's supremacy and were invited to participate in the grand sacrifice as guests.

(b) False. The priest, not the charioteer, performed the main rituals, including sprinkling sacred water on the king as part of the sacrifice.

(c) False. While archaeologists have found settlements of 'janapadas', significant palace structures are more commonly associated with the later, larger 'mahajanapadas'.

(d) True. The distinctive Painted Grey Ware pottery is often found in the settlements of this period and was used for various purposes, including storing grains.

(e) True. Many important cities, especially the capitals of 'mahajanapadas', were fortified with strong walls for protection and to assert authority.

In the 'mahajanapadas', various groups contributed to the kingdom's economy and paid taxes in different forms. The Raja, as the ruler, collected these taxes to maintain the army, administration, and build infrastructure.

(i) Farmers: Paid taxes primarily in the form of one-sixth of their agricultural produce. This was a significant source of revenue.

(ii) Crafts-persons: Contributed taxes often in the form of labour or by providing their manufactured goods to the king or the state.

(iii) Herders: Paid taxes in the form of animals (like cattle, sheep, goats) and other animal products such as milk and wool.

(iv) Traders: Were taxed on the goods they bought and sold, contributing to the state's income through trade activities.

(v) Hunter-gatherers: Provided taxes in the form of forest produce, such as honey, wood, and animal skins, which were valuable resources.

In many ancient 'ganas' or republics, participation in assemblies and decision-making was restricted. The groups that were typically not allowed to participate included:

(i) Women: Their role was generally confined to the domestic sphere, and they were excluded from public political life.

(ii) 'Dasas': These were enslaved people or servants who had no political rights or freedom.

(iii) 'Kammakaras': These were wage labourers or landless agricultural workers who often lacked the status or property required for political participation.

The 'rajas' of 'mahajanapadas' built forts around their capital cities for several important reasons:

Protection: The primary reason was to defend their capital cities and populations from attacks by rival kings and enemies. Strong fortifications provided a significant military advantage.

Display of Power and Wealth: Building large, tall, and impressive walls around the city was a way for the rulers to showcase their immense wealth, power, and status to both their subjects and neighboring kingdoms.

Control: Fortifying the capital allowed the ruler to have better control over the land and the people within the fortified area, making administration and tax collection more efficient.

Symbolism: Forts also served as a symbol of the kingdom's strength and the ruler's authority.

The methods of choosing rulers in the 'janapadas' were vastly different from the democratic elections we have today:

In 'Janapadas':

• Hereditary Succession: In many cases, the position of 'raja' was hereditary, passed down from father to son.
• Sacrifices and Rituals: Some rulers became 'rajas' by performing elaborate sacrifices, such as the 'ashvamedha' (horse sacrifice), which demonstrated their power and status. This was not a choice made by the people.
• Limited Participation: The selection process, if not purely hereditary, involved powerful individuals or priests, not the general populace.

In Present-Day Elections:

• Universal Adult Franchise: Today, rulers are chosen through elections where every adult citizen, regardless of gender, social status, or profession, has the right to vote.
• Democratic Choice: Citizens directly participate in choosing their representatives and government through a secret ballot.
• Accountability: Elected representatives are accountable to the people and can be voted out in subsequent elections if they do not perform well.

In essence, ancient methods were often based on birthright or ritualistic power display, while modern elections are based on the principle of popular sovereignty and the right of every citizen to participate.

This question requires you to consult a political map of India and compare it with the map showing 'janapadas' in your textbook (often found around page 57). The answer will vary depending on the state you live in.

Example Answer (for a student living in Uttar Pradesh):

If you live in Uttar Pradesh, then yes, there were several important 'janapadas' in this region. Some of the prominent ones that existed in or near present-day Uttar Pradesh include:

• Panchala
• Kosala
• Vatsa
• Kuru

These 'janapadas' were located in the northern part of India, roughly corresponding to modern Uttar Pradesh and surrounding areas.

Instructions for students: Locate your state on the map. Identify if any 'janapada' territory overlaps with your state. If not, find the nearest 'janapadas' and note their direction (East, West, North, South) relative to your state.

Let's consider the groups mentioned in Answer 2 (Farmers, Crafts-persons, Herders, Traders, Hunter-gatherers) and see if they pay taxes in present-day India:

• Farmers: Yes, farmers pay various taxes, including property taxes, taxes on agricultural income above a certain threshold, and indirect taxes on goods they purchase.
• Crafts-persons: Yes, crafts-persons, like any other business owner or employee, pay income tax on their earnings and indirect taxes (like GST) on the materials they buy and products they sell.
• Herders: If they operate commercially, they would pay taxes on their income and business activities.
• Traders: Yes, traders are a significant group that pays taxes. They pay income tax on their profits and Goods and Services Tax (GST) on the goods they buy and sell.
• Hunter-gatherers: If they sell forest produce commercially, they would be subject to taxes on their income and sales.

Conclusion: Out of the groups mentioned, Traders are a very prominent group that continues to pay taxes today, as do farmers and crafts-persons who engage in commercial activities. The nature and form of taxation have evolved significantly, but the principle of contributing to the state remains.

The groups mentioned in Answer 3 were women, 'Dasas' (enslaved people/servants), and 'Kammakaras' (wage labourers). Let's examine their voting rights today:

• Women: Yes, women have equal voting rights in present-day India and most democratic countries worldwide. The constitution guarantees this right.
• 'Dasas' (or individuals in similar situations today): In modern societies, slavery is abolished. Individuals who might have been considered 'Dasas' in ancient times would now be citizens with full voting rights, provided they meet the age and residency requirements.
• 'Kammakaras' (Wage Labourers): Yes, wage labourers, like all other citizens, have the right to vote. Their profession or employment status does not disqualify them from participating in elections.

Conclusion: Today, voting rights are based on citizenship and age, not on gender, social status, or occupation. Therefore, women, former 'Dasas' (now citizens), and 'Kammakaras' all have the right to vote.

Here are the correct options with explanations:

(i) (a) horse. The 'ashvamedha' was a ritual sacrifice of a horse, performed by kings to prove their power and sovereignty.

(ii) (d) 'Shudras'. While women were also excluded from many public rituals, 'Shudras' were often at the bottom of the social hierarchy and faced significant restrictions in participating in Vedic rituals like the Ashvamedha.

(iii) (b) citizens and foot. The term 'janapada' is derived from 'jana' (people/citizens) and 'pada' (foot), signifying a place where people settle or establish their foothold.

(iv) (c) capital cities of 'mahajanapadas'. While not all were fortified, the capital cities of 'mahajanapadas' were typically fortified to provide defense and serve as centers of power.

(v) (a) farmers. Farmers were a primary source of revenue and were generally taxed at one-sixth of their produce.

(vi) (a) Rajgir. Rajagriha was the ancient name for the city now known as Rajgir, which was a significant capital of Magadha.

(vii) (d) Macedonia. Alexander the Great was the ruler of Macedon, an ancient kingdom in northern Greece.

(viii) (d) Beas. Alexander's troops eventually refused to march further east and stopped at the banks of the Beas River (also known as Hyphasis) in present-day Punjab.

(ix) (b) Vaishali. Vaishali was the capital city of the Vajji 'mahajanapada', known for its republican form of governance.