NCERT Solutions For Class 6 History Social Science Chapter 5 Kingdoms, Kings And An Early Republic

NCERT Solutions For Class 6 History Social Science Chapter 5 Kingdoms, Kings And An Early Republic

Question And Answers

Question 1. Make a list of all those who would be present at the sacrifice. Which are the categories described in terms of their occupation?

Answer:

The people who would be present at the sacrifice are

• The king, his wives, sons and relatives
• The charioteer of the king
• The priests
• The ordinary people, the vish or vaishya
• The other rajas

The categories of people who are described in terms of their occupation are

• The king, who protected the people and looked after their welfare.
• The charioteer was his companion on the battlefield.
• The priest, who performed the religious ceremony.

Question 2. Rice, wheat, barley, pulses, sugarcane, sesame and mustard. Is there a crop in this list that was not mentioned?

Answer:

Yes, the sugarcane crop is on this list and it was not mentioned

Harappan grew wheat, rice, barley, pulses, peas, sesame, mustard and linseed. But people during the mahajanapada period grew wheat, rice, barley, pulses, sugarcane, sesame and mustard.

Question 3. List two ways in which the rajas of the mahajanapadas were different from those mentioned in the Rigveda.

Answer:

The following are the two types in which rajas of mahajanapadas were different from those mentioned in Rigveda

1.  Rajas of mahajanapadas became rajas by performing very big sacrifices where people accepted their supremacy. However, the rajas in Rigveda were chosen by the Jana i.e. the people.
2.  Rajas of mahajanapadas had capital cities, which were fortified. They also had large armies. However, rajas in Rigveda did not have capital cities, palaces and armies. Also, they did not collect taxes.

Question 4. What do you think would have been provided by hunters and gatherers?

Answer:

The hunters and gatherers would have provided fresh meat, forest produce like honey and nuts to the king.

Question 5. Can you think why kings would encourage these changes i.e. use of iron ploughshare and transplantation of paddy?

Answer:

• The kings encouraged these changes i.e. use of iron ploughshare and transplantation of paddy because these two activities would lead to increased agricultural production.
• As a result of this, kings would be able to get more tax from their men. In this way, they could be able to maintain a large army that would be utilised in acquiring more lands for agriculture.

Question 6. In what ways were armies during the mahajanapada period different from those described in the Rigveda?

Answer:

• The armies during the mahajanapada period were different from the army during the Rigvedic period as during the Rigvedic era, there was no regular army. Most men of the village took part in the wars. Soldiers were given a part of the wealth looted.
• On the other hand, during the mahajanapada period, soldiers were paid salaries for fighting wars and maintained by the king throughout the year.

Question 6. In what ways was the Vajji sangha different from the other mahajanapadas? Try and list at least three differences.

Answer:

• The armies during the mahajanapada period were different from the army during the Rigvedic period as during the Rigvedic era, there was no regular army. Most men of the village took part in the wars. Soldiers were given a part of the wealth looted.
• On the other hand, during the mahajanapada period, soldiers were paid salaries for fighting wars and maintained by the king throughout the year.

Question 7. In what ways was the Vajji sangha different from the other mahajanapadas? Try and list at least three differences.

Answer:

The Vajji sangha was different from the other mahajanapadas in the following ways

Question 8. You are peeping through a crack in the walls of the assembly of Vaishali, where a meeting is in progress to discuss ways to deal with an attack by the king of Magadha. Describe what you might hear.

Answer:

The assembly in Vaishali is holding a meeting to discuss how to deal with an attack by the king of Magadha.

The ongoing discussion may include the following types of questions

• Who is going to lead the army?
• Who is in total control of the army?
• Who will lead the elephants, horses and chariots, the different wings of the army?
• What strategy will be adopted in direct combat?
• Will the leaders meet during the battle to discuss the situation?

History Chapter 5 Kingdoms, Kings And An Early Republic Exercises

Question 1. State whether true or false.

1. Rajas who let the Ashvamedha horse pass through their lands were invited to the sacrifice.

Answer: True

2. The charioteer sprinkled sacred water on the king.

Answer: False

3. Archaeologists have found palaces in the settlements of the janapadas.

Answer: True

4. Pots to store grain were made out of Painted Grey Ware.

Answer: False

5. Many cities in mahajanapadas were fortified.

Answer: True

History Chapter 5 Kingdoms, Kings And An Early Republic Picture Based Question And Answers

Question 1. Fill in the chart given below with the terms hunter-gatherers, farmers, traders, craftspersons, and herders.

Answer:

Question 2. Who were the groups who could not participate in the assemblies of the ganas?
Answer:

• Women, dasas and kammakaras could not participate in the assemblies of the ganas. Kammakaras were landless agricultural labourers who worked on other’s land.
• The Shudras were expected to serve the other three varnas and so they were included in decision making.

Question 3. Why did the rajas of mahajanapadas build forts?
Answer:

The rajas of mahajanapadas build forts for the following reasons

• The rajas build forts to protect their capital city.
• Forts were built because people were afraid of attacks from other kings and needed protection.
• Some rulers build forts with large, tall and impressive walls around their cities to show their wealth and strength.
• Forts were also built so that the land and the people living inside the fortified area could be controlled more easily by the king.

Question 4. Were there any janapadas in your state? If yes, name them. If not, name the janapadas that would have been the closest to your state, and mention whether they were to the East, West, North or South.
Answer:

I live in Bihar. There were 3 janapada in my state

The list of janapadas close to Bihar are

• Vajji was located to the North of Bihar.
• Magadha was situated to the East of Bihar.
• Anga was positioned to the West of Bihar.

Question 6. Find out whether the groups mentioned in answer 3 have voting rights at present.
Answer:

• Yes, the groups mentioned in answer 3 i.e. women have voting rights at present.
• All the citizens of a country of age 18 or above including men, women, etc have equal right to vote. Untouchability is prohibited by the Constitution.
• People from all varnas are allowed to vote irrespective of their land holdings.

History Chapter 5 Kingdoms, Kings And An Early Republic Multiple Choice Question And Answers (MCQs)

Question 1. Who was the central figure in Ashvamedha rituals?

1. Men
2. Women
3. Raja
4. Brahmin

Answer: 3. Raja

Question 2. Who was the companion of Raja on the battlefield?

1. Men
2. Charioteer
3. Raja
4. Brahmin

Answer: 2. Charioteer

Question 3. The priests divided people into four groups, called

1. priest
2. varnas
3. Kshatriya
4. shudra

Answer: 2. varnas

Question 4. Who was expected to study and teach the Vedas?

1. Ordinary men
2. Charioteers
3. Rajas
4. Brahmins

Answer: 4. Brahmins

Question 5. Who were expected to be farmers, herders and traders?

1. Vaishyas
2. Charioteers
3. Rajas
4. Brahmins

Answer: 1. Vaishyas

Question 6. One special type of pottery found at the sites of Janapadas is known as

1. Pot
2. Dish pot
3. Painted Grey Ware
4. None of these

Answer: 3. Painted Grey Ware

Question 7. Son River was basically flowing through the kingdom.

1. Gandhara
2. Magadha
3. Kaushambi
4. Avanti

Answer: 2. Magadha

Question 8. What is the present name of Rajagriha?

1. Rajgir
2. Rajgaon
3. Gaya
4. Rajkot

Answer: 1. Rajgir

Question 9. What was the capital of mahajanapada Vajji?

1. Kaushambi
2. Ujjain
3. Vaishali
4. Taxila

Answer: 3. Vaishali

Question 10. Vedic books were composed by

1. priests
2. charioteers
3. Kshatriyas
4. Shudras

Answer: 1. priests

Question 11. What was the capital of Gandhara during the Mahajanapadas period?

1. Vaishali
2. Ujjain
3. Hastinapura
4. Taxila

Answer: 4. Taxila

Question 12. Which among the following settlements was located in Delhi?

1. Purana Qila
2. Etah
3. Atranjkhera
4. None of these

Answer: 1. Purana Qila

Question 13. Read the following statement and identify the mahajanapada.

1. Many rivers such as the Ganga and Son flowed through it.
2. Parts of this mahajanapada were forested. Elephants, which lived in the forest, were trained for the army.

Codes

1. Kuru
2. Vajji
3. Magadha
4. Gandhara

Answer: 3. Magadha

Question 14. Read the following statements and select the correct Option.

1. Hunters and gatherers pay taxes in the form of animal produce.
2. There were taxes on craftspersons.

Codes

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 and 2
4. None of these

Answer: 2. Only 2

Question 15. Read the following statements and select the correct option.

1. Forests provided wood for building houses, carts and chariots.
2. Bimbisara and Ajatasattu were powerful rulers of Avanti.

Codes

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 and 2
4. None of these

Answer: 1. Only 1

Question 16. Arrange the following terms in chronological order

1. Rajas
2. Mahajanapadas til.
3. Alexander

Codes

1. 1, 2, 3
2. 1, 3, 2
3. 2, 1, 3
4. 3, 2, 1

Answer: 3. 2, 1, 3

Question 17. Arrange the following varnas from top to bottom classification done by the priests.

1. Brahmins
2. Shudras
3. Kshatriyas
4. Vaishyas

Codes:

1. 1, 2, 3, 4
2. 1, 3, 2, 4
3. 1, 3, 4, 2
4. 4, 2, 3, 1

Answer: 3. 1, 3, 4, 2

History Chapter 5 Kingdoms, Kings And An Early Republic Match the Following

Question 1.

Codes

• A  B  C  D  E

1. 5  4  2  1   3
2. 2  1  3  4  5
3. 3  4  5  2  1
4. 1  2  3  4  5

Answer: 1. 5 4 2 1 3

Question 2.

Codes

• A  B  C  D  E

1. 2  1  3  4   5
2. 2  4  3  2   1
3. 3  5  4  1   2
4. 1  5  3   2  4

Answer: 3. 3 5 4 1 2

History Chapter 5 Kingdoms, Kings And An Early Republic Assertion and Reason

Question 1. Assertion (A) Rajas were generally chosen by the Jana through voting.

Reason (R) Voting has become the common way of choosing a leader nowadays.

Codes

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
3. A is true, but R is false
4. A is false, but R is true

Answer: 4. A is false, but R is true

Question 2. Assertion (A) Magadha became a powerful kingdom.

Reason (R) It was under a different form of government called ‘gana or sangha’.

Codes

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
3. A is true, but R is false
4. A is false, but R is true

Answer: 3. A is true, but R is false

History Chapter 5 Kingdoms, Kings And An Early Republic Fill in the Blanks

Question 1. About ……… years ago, some janapadas became more than others, were known as mahajanapadas.

Answer: 2500

Question 2. Mahapadma Nanda was an important ruler of ………..

Answer: Magadha

Question 3. The capital of Avanti was ……….

Answer: Ujjain

Question 4. The ……… were expected to fight battles and protect people.

Answer: Kshatriyas

Question 5. ……… were paid regular salaries and maintained throughout the year.

Answer: Soldiers, the king

History Chapter 5 Kingdoms, Kings And An Early Republic True or False

Question 1. Farmers were also expected to pay taxes in the form of animal produce.

Answer: False

Question 2. In mahajanapadas, there were taxes on goods that were bought and sold, through trade.

Answer: True

Question 3. Many rivers such as the Ganga and Son flowed through Vajji.

Answer: False

Question 4. Hastinapur is located near Etah.

Answer: False

Question 5. Soldiers in mahajanapadas were paid by punch-marked coins.

Answer: True

History Chapter 5 Kingdoms, Kings And An Early Republic Case Based Question And Answers

Question 1. Read the passage given below and answer the following questions.

The new rajas now began maintaining armies. Soldiers were paid regular salaries and maintained by the king throughout the year. Some payments were probably made using punch-marked coins.

As the rulers of the mahajanapadas were (a) building huge forts and (b) maintaining big armies, they needed more resources and they needed officials to collect these.

So, instead of depending on occasional gifts brought by people, as in the case of the raja of the janapadas, they started collecting regular taxes.

1. Taxes on crops
2. Taxes on craftspersons
3. Herders paid taxes as animals and animal produce.
4. Taxes on goods through trade.
5. Hunters and gatherers had to provide forest produce to the raja.

1. What was one of the primary reasons the new rulers began collecting regular taxes?

1. To encourage trade and commerce
2. To fund the construction of temples
3. To support the welfare of hunters and gatherers
4. To build their armies and massive forts

Answer: 4. To build their armies and massive forts

2. Which groups or individuals were subjected to taxation during this transition in governance?

1. Religious leaders and priests
2. Farmers and landowners only
3. Craftspersons, herders, traders and hunters
4. Only those involved in long-distance trade

Answer: 3. Craftspersons, herders, traders and hunters

3. What form of payment was possibly used for transactions, as mentioned in the passage?

1. Metal ingots
2. Barter system
3. Punch marked coins
4. Shell currency

Answer: 3. Punch marked coins

4. What was the direct consequence of the new rulers paying regular salaries to soldiers and maintaining armies throughout the year?

1. Decrease in agricultural productivity
2. Need for increased taxation
3. Rise in cultural activities
4. Disbandment of forts and defences

Answer: 2. Need for increased taxation

Question 2. Read the passage given below and answer the following questions.

• While Magadha became a powerful kingdom, Vajji, with its capital at Vaishali (Bihar), was under a different form of government, known as gana or sangha.
• In a gana or a sangha, there was not one, but many rulers and each one was known as a raja. These rajas performed rituals together. They also met in assemblies and decided what had to be done and how through discussion and debate.
• For example, if they were attacked by an enemy, they met to discuss what should be done to meet the threat. However, women, dasas and kammakaras could not participate in these assemblies.

1. What was gana or sangha?
Answer:

The gana or sangha means an association or group of people.

2. What was the role of data and kammakaras in administration?
Answer:

The dasas and kammakaras were not allowed to participate in any of the rituals and assemblies. Hence, they had no role in the administration.

3. How was the Vajji kingdom organised?
Answer:

The Vajji kingdom was under a government called Sangha. The kingdom was divided into several sanghas. Each sangha had its own ruler.

History Chapter 5 Kingdoms, Kings And An Early Republic Very Short Answer Type Question And Answers

Question 1. Who became the rajas of janapadas?
Answer:

The rajas who performed big sacrifices were recognised as rajas of janapadas rather than janas.

Question 2. What was the use of Painted grey ware?
Answer:

Painted Grey Ware was used on special occasions, for important people, and to serve special food.

Question 3. What were mahajanapadas?
Answer:

The important janapadas which had a capital city, maintained a huge army and were fortified were known as mahajanapadas. For example, Vajji and Magadha.

Question 4. What materials were used in the making of the fortified walls?
Answer:

Woods and bricks or stone were used in the making of the fortified walls.

Question 5. Who was Mahapadma Nanda?
Answer:

Mahapadma Nanda was one of the important rulers of Magadha who extended his control up to the North-West part of the sub-continent.

Question 6. Where was the capital of Magadha shifted to from Rajagrlha?
Answer:

The capital of Magadha was shifted from Rajagriha to Pataliputra.

Question 7. What was Sangha?
Answer:

In a gana or sangha, there were many rulers and each of them was known as a raja. These rajas performed rituals together.

Question 8. Name two religious philosophers who belonged to ganas or sanghas.
Answer:

Buddha and Mahavira were two religious philosophers who belonged to ganas or sanghas.

Question 9. Name the two communities that were not allowed to study Vedas.
Answer:

Shudras and women were not allowed to study Vedas.

History Chapter 5 Kingdoms, Kings And An Early Republic Short Answer Type Question And Answers

Question 1. ‘Some men performed Ashvamedha sacrifice to became recognised as rajas’. Describe how the Ashvamedha sacrifice was performed by rajas.
Answer:

• In the ritual of Ashvamedha, a horse was let free to roam and it was guarded by the raja’s men.
• If the horse roamed into the kingdoms of other rajas and they stopped it, they had to fight.
• If they allowed the horse to pass, it meant that they accepted that the raja who wanted to perform the sacrifice, was stronger than them.
• Then these other rajas were invited to the sacrifice. J The sacrifice was performed by specially trained priests, who were rewarded with gifts.
• The raja who The sacrifice was performed by specially trained priests, who were rewarded with gifts. The raja who organised the sacrifice was recognised as being very powerful, and all those who came to the sacrifice brought gifts for him.

Question 2. What do the archaeological excavations tell about the janapadas settlements? Name some settlements excavated by archaeologists.
Answer:

• Archaeological excavation tells the following information about the settlements at janapadas
• Archaeologists found that people lived in huts, and kept cattle as well as other animals.
• They also grew a variety of crops i.e. rice, wheat, barley, pulses, sugarcane, sesame and mustard.
• Archaeologists have excavated many settlements in janapadas, such as Purana Qila in Delhi, Hastinapur near Meerut and Atranjikhera near Etah (Uttar Pradesh).

Question 3. What were the characteristics of the earthen pots used by the people in janapadas?
Answer:

The characteristics of the earthen pots are

• In janapadas, some of these pots were grey in colour and others were red.
• One special type of pottery found at these sites is known as Painted Grey Ware, and such pots had painted designs, usually simple lines and geometric patterns.
• Painted grey ware vessels were extremely fine to touch, with a nice, smooth surface. These were used on special occasions, for important people, and to serve special food.

Question 4. Who were the most powerful rulers of Magadha?

Or Write about the important rulers of Magadha.

Answer:

• The most powerful rulers of Magadha were Bimbisara and Ajatasattu, who used all possible means to conquer other janapadas. Ajatasattu planned to attack Vajiis.
• For this, he sent his minister Vassakara to get Buddha’s advice. Mahapadma Nanda was another important ruler. He extended his control up to the North-West part of the sub-continent.

Question 5. What were the two major changes in agriculture that occurred at the time of mahajanapadas?
Answer:

The two major changes in agriculture that occurred at the time of mahajanapadas are as follows

• There was an increase in the use of iron ploughshares instead of wooden ploughshares.
• This meant that Heavy and clayey soil could now be turned over better and more grain could be produced.
• People began transplanting paddy. Instead of scattering seeds on the ground, from which plants would sprout, saplings were grown and then planted in the fields. This led to an increase in production, as many more plants survived.

Question 6. Who was Alexander? Why did his soldiers refuse to invade India?
Answer:

• Alexander was the ruler of Macedonia in Europe. More than 2300 years ago, he wanted to conquer the entire world. He conquered the parts of Egypt and West Asia.
• When came to the Indian sub-continent and reached up to the banks of the river Beas, his soldiers refused to move further Eastwards. They were afraid because they had heard that the rulers of India had large armies of foot soldiers, chariots and elephants.

History Chapter 5 Kingdoms, Kings And An Early Republic Long Answer Type Question And Answers

Question 1. Who participated in the rituals and what function did they perform?
Answer:

The people who participated in the rituals and the functions they performed were as follows

• Priests performed the rituals including the sprinkling of sacred water on the king. They were specially trained priests, who were rewarded with gifts.
• The raja was a central figure in these rituals. He often had a special seat, a throne or a tiger skin.
• The charioteer, his companion on the battlefield who has witnessed his exploits, chanted tales of his glory.
• Relatives of the king, especially his wives and sons, had to perform some minor rituals.
• The other rajas simply had to sit and watch the performance of the sacrifice.
•  The ordinary people, the visit or vaishya, brought gifts. However, some people, such as those who were regarded as shudras by the priests, were excluded from many rituals.

Question 2. Discuss the varna system, which was made by the priests.
Answer:

The priest divided society into four groups, called varnas. According to them, each varna had a different set of functions. According to the priests, these groups were decided on the basis of their occupation and role in society. These groups were as follows

• The first varna was Brahmins. Brahmins were expected to study and teach the Vedas, perform sacrifices and receive gifts.
•  In the second varna, there were rulers also known as kshatriyas. They were expected to fight battles and protect people.
• Hie third varna was Vaishyas or Vish. They were expected to be farmers, herders and traders. Both the Kshatriyas and the Vaishyas could perform sacrifices.
• The fourth varna was shudras who were expected to serve the other three groups.

Question 3. What are mahajanapadas? List its characteristics.
Answer: ‘

The word janapada literally means the land where the Jann settled down. The important janapadas which had a capital city, maintained a huge army and were fortified were known as mahajanapadas.

The characteristics of a mahajanapadas are as follows

1. Mahajanapadas were fortified which means that huge walls of wood, brick or stone were built around. They were built because people were afraid of attacks from other kings and needed protection.
2.  The rajas of mahajanapadas maintained huge armies throughout the year. Soldiers were paid regular salaries using punch-marked coins.
3. Taxes were collected from all sections of the society including farmers, traders, craftspersons, etc.
4. This was done to meet the increased expenditure of the state.

Question 4. Why were taxes collected in mahajanapadas? Mention the taxes that were collected.
Answer:

Rulers of the mahajanapadas needed huge amounts of money to run their vast empire. They needed more resources for building huge forts and maintaining big armies so, instead of depending on occasional gifts they started collecting taxes.

The taxes that were collected in mahajanapadas were

1. Taxes on crops
2.  Taxes on craftspersons
3. Herders paid taxes as animals and animal produce.
4. Taxes on goods through trade.
5. Hunters and gatherers had to provide forest produce to the raja as taxes.

Question 5. ‘Magadha became the most important mahajanapada in about 200 years.’ Justify the statement by explaining its features and rulers.
Answer:

Magadha became the most important mahajanapada in about 200 years. Its characteristics were

• Many rivers such as the Ganga and Son flowed through Magadha, which was important for transport, water supplies and making the land fertile.
• In Magadha, many areas were covered with forests.
• The elephants which lived in these forests could be captured and trained for the army. Forests also provided wood for building houses, carts and chariots.
• There were iron ore mines in the region that could be used to make strong tools and weapons.
•  Rajagriha (present-day Rajgir) in Bihar was the capital of Magadha for several years. Later, the capital was shifted to Pataliputra (present-day Patna).
• Bimbisara and Ajatasattu were the two most powerful rulers of Magadha, who used all possible means to conquer other janapadas.
• Mahapadma Nanda was another important ruler. He extended his control up to the North-West part of the sub-continent.

History Chapter 5 Kingdoms, Kings And An Early Republic Picture Based Question And Answers

Question 1. Answers the questions based on the given picture below.

(A) From which metal these bowls were made?
Answer:

These bowls are earthen pots made out of Painted Grey Ware.

(B) When were these bowls used?
Answer:

These bowls were used on special occasions, for important people, and to serve special food.

Question 2. Answers the questions based on the given picture

(A) Where is this fortification wall located?
Answer:

This fortification wall is located at Kaushambi.

(B) How many years ago a part of this wall was built?
Answer:

A part of this wall was probably built about 2500 years ago.

History Chapter 5 Kingdoms, Kings And An Early Republic Map Based Question And Answers

Question 1. Mark the following janapadas and mahajanapadas on the outline map of India.

1. Taxila
2. Ujjain
3. Vaishali
4. Hastinapura
5. Rajagriha
6. Champa

Answer: