Class 6 History Chapter 5 Practice Question Answers - Kingdoms, Kings and an Early Republic

Q1: The members of the Vajji gana enjoyed the title of _______.
Ans: Raja.

Q2: What did the forests provided to the people of Magadha?
Ans: Wood for building houses and chariots.

Q3: Why did Alexander’s soldiers refused to march further from the bank of river Beas?
Ans: They were afraid of the Indian armies.

Q4: What is the another name of famous Buddhist book 'Collection of Long Discources’?
Ans: Digha Nikaya

Q5: Bimbisara and Ajatasatru were rulers of _______.
Ans: Magadha

Q6: What was bhaga or a share?
Ans: The tax was fixed at 1/6th of the crop produced. This was known as bhaga or a share.

Q7: What is the difference between the Republican and the Monarchical Mahajanapadas?
Ans: A republican Mahajanapada was ruled by a group elected by the common people called the sangha. Monarchies were ruled by kings and his word was law.

Q8: What was the Ashvamedha?
Ans: The ashvamedha or horse sacrifice was a ritual in which a horse is let loose to wander and it was guarded by the raja’s men. If the horse wandered 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 carry out the sacrifice was stronger than them. These rajas were then invited to the sacrifice, which was performed by especially skilled priests, who were rewarded with gifts. The raja who organized the sacrifice was recognized as being very powerful, and all those who came brought gifts for him.

Q9: Why did rajas build large and tall walls around the cities?
Ans: The Rajas built large and tall walls around the cities in order to show their wealth and power. Moreover, with these huge walls the Kings could easily control the land and the people living inside the fortified areas.

Q10: Write a short note on the important rulers of Magadha.
Ans: Bimbisara and Ajatasattu were two very powerful rulers of Magadha. They used all possible means to conquer other janapadas. Mahapadma Nanda was another important ruler. He extended his control upto the north-west part of the subcontinent. Rajagriha inBihar was the capital of Magadha for several years. Later the capital was shifted to Pataliputra.

Q11: Why was the capital city of mahajanapadas fortified?
Ans: The capital city of mahajanapadas was fortified with huge walls of wood, bricks or stones around them because people were afraid of attacks from other kings and needed protection. Some rulers wanted to show how rich and powerful they were by building huge walls and forts.

Q12: What were the geographical features that made Magadha the most powerful Mahajanpada?
Ans: According to Historians, Magadha became the most powerful mahajanapadas due to the following geographical features:

• Many rivers such as the Ganga and Son flowed through Magadha, which provided good transport, water supplies and made the land fertile.
• Parts of Magadha had forests that provided elephants, which were captured and trained for the army needs. Forests provided wood for building houses and chariots.
• There were iron ore mines in the region that was used to make strong tools and weapons.

Q13: Who provided the labour for the agricultural work done during the development of the mahajanapadas?
Ans: Slave men and women (dasas and dasis) and landless labourers (kammakaras) had to work on the agricultural land and therefore provide the labour.

Q14: Where did Alexander live and what was his aim?
Ans: Alexander lived in Macedonia in Europe and wanted to conquer the whole world. But he was able to conquer only the parts ofEgypt, West Asia and some parts of the South Asia.

Q15: Why were taxes collected by the rulers of the mahajanapadas?
Ans: For building huge forts and maintaining big armies, the rulers needed more resources. So the rulers collected regular levy instead of depending on occasional gifts from the people.

Q16: What were the characteristics of the earthen pots used by the people in janapadas?
Ans: The people of janapadas made earthen pots. Some of these were grey in colour, others were red. One special type of pottery found at these sites is known as Painted Grey Ware. These were grey pots and had painted designs, usually simple lines and geometric patterns.

Q17: What were the features of the taxation system in Mahajanapadas in the ancient India?
Ans:

• The king was the main beneficiary of  the taxes which were collected in Mahajanapadas from the common people. The taxes were used to build the infrastructure of the city and to maintain big armies for the protection of the city.
• Taxes from the crops were the most important source of revenue for the king’s officials. The crops tax was fixed at 1/6th of the produce or bhaga (share).
• Crafts people were also made to pay taxes in the form of labour provided for a day to the king. 
• Herders were made to pay taxes in kind and would have to give up animals or animal produce as tax. There were taxes on tradable goods and forest produce also.

Q18: Why did the agriculture flourish in the Mahajanapadas?
Ans: Around 600 B.C. two major changes occurred in the agriculture. One was an increase in the use of iron ploughshare. By using iron ploughshare heavy, clayey soil could be turned over better than with a wooden ploughshare. This led to an increase in production of grains. Secondly, transplantation of paddy began during this time. In this process, instead of scattering seed on the ground, saplings were grown and then planted in the fields. This led to increased production, as many more plants survived. Due to these factors, the agriculture flourished in the Mahajanapadas.

Q19: Who divided people into four groups and based on what?
Ans: The priests divided people into four groups, called varnas. According to them, each varna had a different set of functions.

• The first varna was that of the brahmin. Brahmins were expected to study (and teach) the Vedas, perform sacrifices and receive gifts.
• In the second place were the rulers, also known as kshatriyas. They were expected to fight battles and protect people.
• Third were the vish or the vaishyas. They were expected to be farmers, herders, and traders. Both the kshatriyas and thevaishyas could perform sacrifices.
• Last were the shudras, who had to serve the other three groups and could not perform any rituals. Often, women were also grouped with the shudras. Both women and shudras were not allowed to study the Vedas.

Q20: How were regular taxes imposed and collected in the mahajanapadas?
Ans: Taxes were imposed on crops. This was most important since most people were farmers.

• The tax was fixed at 1/6th of the production. This was known as bhaga or a share.
• There were taxes on crafts men who paid it by providing their labour. For example a weaver or a smith would work for a day in every month for the king.
• Taxes on herders were met by them by providing animals and animal produce.
• Taxes were imposed on goods that were brought and sold through trade.
• Hunters and gatherers also paid their taxes by providing the forest produce to the raja.