Question
Write about:
(a) Janapada
(b) Territoriality and Autonomous Functioning

Answer

(a) Janapada:
  • The term ‘Janapada’ occurs in the Brahmana texts for the first time.
  • Thereafter, it is frequently used in the Vedic literature and the epics – Mahabharata and Ramayana, as also in the Jain and the Buddhist literature.
  • Considering the ancient Indian geographic perception with reference to the Janapadas, the said literature seems to divide the Indian subcontinent into five sections:
    • ‘Praachya’ – of the east
    • ‘Praatichya’ – of the west
    • ‘Udichya’ – of the north
    • ‘Dakshina’ – of the south
    • ‘Madhyadesha’ – The central region
(b) Territoriality and Autonomous Functioning:
  • It may be noted, that the sense of territoriality and the ensuing awareness of autonomy were the main factors responsible for the formation of ancient Janapadas in India.
  • However, their administrative system was not much different from that of the Janas in Rigveda.
  • The chief of the Janapada was known as ‘Raj an’.
  • Two assemblies are known as ‘Sabha’ and ‘Samiti’ were at the apex of all administrative decision-making processes, since the very beginning of the Vedic period.

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