What major innovation contributed to the rise of the Mahajanapadas?
- ✓The introduction of iron tools and weapons
- BThe discovery of writing
- CThe use of horses in warfare
- DThe establishment of Buddhist monasteries
Answer: A.
View full solution →Question types
New Beginnings Cities and States question types
43 questions across 8 question groups — pick any mix to generate a Social Studies paper with step-by-step answer keys.
43
Questions
8
Question groups
5
Question types
01
MCQ (1 Mark)
7 Q→02Assertion and Reason (1 Mark)
5 Q→03True Or False.[1 Marks Each]
9 Q→04Fill In The Blanks [1 Mark]
9 Q→05VSQ (2 Marks)
6 Q→06SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS(3 Mark)
1 Q→07LONG ANS. QUESTIONS(5 Mark)
5 Q→08Match the Following.
1 Q→Sample Questions
New Beginnings Cities and States questions
One sample from each question group in this chapter. Select any group above to see the full set with answer keys.
In early Vedic society, the term ‘Varna’ referred to:
- AThe different occupations people could choose
- BA fixed caste system based on hereditary roles
- ✓The ideal division of society based on function and qualities
- DA term used for warriors only
Answer: C.
View full solution →Which two Mahajanapadas are known for their early democratic or republican traditions?
- AKashi and Kosala
- BMagadha and Avanti
- ✓Vajji and Malla
- DAnga and Gandhara
Answer: C.
View full solution →How were some rulers chosen in the early Yedic period before hereditary monarchy became common?
- ABy divine selection
- BBy war
- ✓By elections or decisions made in tribal assemblies
- DBy priests only
Answer: C.
View full solution →Which Mahajanapada had its capital at Raj agriha and later at Pataliputra?
- AAvanti
- BKosala
- ✓Magadha
- DVatsa
Answer: C.
View full solution →Assertion (A): The Sangam literature provides evidence of urban centers and trade in ancient South India.
Reason (R): It was written during the later Vedic period in North India.
Reason (R): It was written during the later Vedic period in North India.
- ABoth (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
- BBoth (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
- ✓(A) is correct but (R) is wrong.
- D(A) is wrong but (R) is correct.
Answer: C.
View full solution →Assertion (A): All Mahajanapadas followed hereditary monarchies.
Reason (R): Democracy was unknown in ancient India.
Reason (R): Democracy was unknown in ancient India.
- ABoth (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
- BBoth (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
- C(A) is correct but (R) is wrong.
- ✓(A) is wrong but (R) is correct.
Answer: D.
View full solution →Assertion (A): The introduction of iron tools contributed to the growth of the Mahajanapadas. Reason
(R): Iron tools increased agricultural productivity and supported larger settlements.
(R): Iron tools increased agricultural productivity and supported larger settlements.
- ✓Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
- BBoth (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
- C(A) is correct but (R) is wrong.
- D(A) is wrong but (R) is correct.
Answer: A.
View full solution →Assertion (A): In the early Vedic period, the Varna system was more flexible.
Reason (R): People could change their vama based on their karma (actions) and guna (qualities).
Reason (R): People could change their vama based on their karma (actions) and guna (qualities).
- ✓Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
- BBoth (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
- C(A) is correct but (R) is wrong.
- D(A) is wrong but (R) is correct.
Answer: A.
View full solution →Assertion (A): The Vajji confederacy is considered one of the earliest examples of a republican form of government.
Reason (R): It was ruled by a monarch with absolute powers.
Reason (R): It was ruled by a monarch with absolute powers.
- ABoth (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
- BBoth (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
- ✓(A) is correct but (R) is wrong.
- D(A) is wrong but (R) is correct.
Answer: C.
View full solution →The capital of the Mahajanapada of Avanti was Ujjayini.
The Mahajanapada of Magadha was located in the region of present-day Bihar.
Shudras were the warrior class in the Vama system.
The Janapadas existed before the Mahajanapadas.
Mahajanapadas were governed only by kings with no input from councils or assemblies.
______ connected the northwest regions to the Ganga plains, all the way to eastern India.
In early republics like Vajji, decisions were often made through assemblies called ______
The Mahajanapada of Kosala had its capital at ______
The Jati system, unlike the Vama system, was based more on ______ and hereditary occupation.
The use of ______ tools in agriculture helped increase food production and led to the growth of settled societies.
List other such professions you expect in a complex society of the 1st millennium BCE.
Why should a complex society divide itself into such groups? Think about several possible factors why this happens.
What kind of system of governance did they evolve?
Why were the janapads and mahajanapadas an important development in India’s early history?
Inequalities within society can exist in many forms. Have you encountered any incident where you or anyone you know might have been made to feel different from others? Do you think equality is desirable in a society? If so, why? Have you come across people or initiatives that lessened inequalities?
Why was the development of iron metallurgy so important for the growth of urbanism in the 1 st mil¬lennium BCE? You may use points from the chapter but also from your knowledge or imagination.
Imagine you are a historian studying ancient India. What types of sources (archaeological, literary, etc.) would you use to leam more about the mahajana- padas? Explain how each source might contribute to your understanding.
According to the text, how were rulers chosen in early Vedic society?
Consider the quotation given below and discuss in several groups. Compare your observations and conclusions on what Kautilya recommends for a kingdom. Is it very different today?
The kingdom shall be protected by fortifying the capital and the towns at the frontiers. The land should not only be capable of sustaining the population but also outsiders in times of calamities. …… It should be beautiful, being endowed with cultivable land, mines, timber forests, elephant forests, and good pastures rich in cattle. It should not depend [only on] rain for water. It should have good roads and waterways. It should have a productive economy, with a wide variety of commodities….
_ Kautilya, Arthashastra
The kingdom shall be protected by fortifying the capital and the towns at the frontiers. The land should not only be capable of sustaining the population but also outsiders in times of calamities. …… It should be beautiful, being endowed with cultivable land, mines, timber forests, elephant forests, and good pastures rich in cattle. It should not depend [only on] rain for water. It should have good roads and waterways. It should have a productive economy, with a wide variety of commodities….
_ Kautilya, Arthashastra
Fill up the following table with a Yes (or tick mark) or No (or cross mark) in each square, which provides an interesting comparison between these two phases of Indian civilisation.
| First Urbanisation | Second Urbanisation | |
| Ganga plains | ||
| Monasteries | ||
| Literature | ||
| Trade | ||
| Warfare | ||
| Copper/bronze | ||
| Iron |
| Column A | Column B |
| 1. Magadh | (a) Madhya Pradesh |
| 2. Kosala | (b) Prayagraj |
| 3. Avanti | (c) Bhubaneshwar |
| 4. Kaushambi | (d) Uttar Pradesh |
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