Kingdoms Kings And An Early Republic
Around 3000 years ago there were different ways of choosing a ‘Raja’.
Some men became ‘Rajas’ by performing sacrifices like “Ashvamedha”.
- Rajas and priests took part in religious rituals. Shudras or the lower class were not allowed to do so.
- Kingdoms called ‘janapadas’ were ruled by rajas. People lived in huts and followed professions like rearing animals and farming.
- Some of these later became ‘Mahajanapadas’ like Magadha. The capital cities were fortified.
- New Rajas maintained armies and used punch-marked coins for payments.
- Rajas required resources and so started collecting taxes from people.
- The use of iron ploughshares for agriculture increased production. People started transplanting paddy.
- Magadha became important and powerful with Bimbisara and Ajatasattu as its rulers.
- Transport by rivers, water supply, fertile land, forest and mines made it strong.
- Vajji with Vaishali as the capital was under a different form of government called ‘gana or sangha’.
- Rajas tried to conquer the Sanghas.
Kingdoms Kings And An Early Republic Keywords
Kingdoms Kings And An Early Republic Date Line
About 3000 Years Ago — new kind of rajas.
About 2500 Years Ago — existence of janapadas and mahajanapadas.
About 2300 Years Ago — Alexander’s invasion.
About 1500 Years Ago — the end of ganas or sanghas.