Quick Revision Notes: Class 6 Social Science

Chapter: Kingdoms, Kings and an Early Republic

1. Introduction: How Some Men Became Rulers

Around 3,000 years ago, there were important changes in the way kings were chosen in the Indian subcontinent.

Rajas: Earlier, many rajas were likely chosen by the people. Over time, this changed, and men became rajas by performing big sacrifices.
Ashvamedha (Horse Sacrifice): A very important ritual where a horse was let loose to wander freely. It was guarded by the raja's men.
Challenge: If the horse wandered into the kingdoms of other rajas and they stopped it, they had to fight. If they allowed it to pass, it meant that the raja who wanted to perform the sacrifice was stronger than them.
The Sacrifice: These rajas were then invited to the sacrifice, which was performed by specially trained priests. The raja who organized it was recognized as being very powerful.

2. Varnas (Social Classes)

Society was divided into different groups called Varnas. Each varna had a different set of functions.

Brahmanas: Expected to study (and teach) the Vedas, perform sacrifices, and receive gifts.
Rulers (Kshatriyas): Expected to fight battles and protect people.
Farmers, Herders, Traders (Vaishyas): Expected to be producers and engage in trade.
Labourers, Artisans, Fishermen (Shudras): Expected to serve the other three groups; they could not perform any rituals.

Note: Untouchables (craftsperson, hunters, gatherers, burial ground workers) were placed outside the varna system.

3. Janapadas

Definition: The rajas who performed these big sacrifices were recognized as being rajas of Janapadas rather than janas.
Meaning: Janapada means the land where the jana (people) set its root and settled down.
Archaeological Findings: Archaeologists have excavated a number of settlements in these Janapadas, such as Purana Qila in Delhi, Hastenapura near Meerut, and Ataranjikhet near Etah.
Economy & Lifestyle: People lived in huts and kept cattle as well as other animals. They grew a variety of crops: rice, wheat, barley, pulses, sugarcane, sesame, and mustard. They also made earthen pots (some grey, some red).

4. Mahajanapadas

Definition: Around 2,500 years ago, some janapadas became more important than others and were known as Mahajanapadas.
Capital Cities: Most mahajanapadas had a capital city. Many of these were fortified (surrounded by huge walls of wood, brick, or stone).
Why Forts?
- For protection against attacks from other kings.
- To show how rich and powerful the kings were by building tall, impressive walls.
- To control the land and people living inside the fortified area easily.
Standing Armies: Unlike earlier times, mahajanapada rulers maintained regular soldiers who were paid salaries by the king throughout the year.

5. Taxes in Mahajanapadas

As the rulers of mahajanapadas were building huge forts and maintaining big armies, they needed more resources. So, they started collecting regular taxes instead of depending on occasional gifts:

Crops: Taxes on crops were the most important. Usually, it was fixed at 1/6th of what was produced (known as Bhaga or a share).
Craftspersons: Taxes were in the form of labor (e.g., a weaver or smith might work for a day every month for the king).
Herders: Taxes were paid in the form of animals and animal produce.
Traders: Taxes were collected on goods bought and sold.
Hunters and Gatherers: Taxes were paid in the form of forest produce.

6. Changes in Agriculture

Two major changes led to increased agricultural production during this period:

Iron Ploughshares: Heavy, clayey soil could be turned over better than with wooden ploughshares, leading to more grain production.
Transplantation: People began planting paddy (rice) saplings instead of scattering seed on the ground. This led to an increase in production, as many plants survived.

7. A Close Look: Magadha and Vajji

A. Magadha (The Most Powerful Mahajanapada)

Location: Modern-day Bihar, along rivers like Ganga and Son.
Importance:
- Transport, water supplies, and making the land fertile.
- Parts of Magadha were forested. Elephants living in the forest were captured and trained for the army.
- Iron ore mines in the region provided resources for strong tools and weapons.
Famous Rulers: Bimbisara and Ajatasatru.
Capitals: Rajagriha (modern Rajgir) was the capital for many years, later shifted to Pataliputra (modern Patna).

B. Vajji (A Different Type of Government)

Capital: Vaishali (Bihar).
Government System: Known as a Gana or Sangha (an assembly or rule of many).
Structure: In a gana or sangha, there were not one, but many rulers. Sometimes, thousands of men ruled together, each called a raja. They performed rituals together and met in assemblies to discuss matters.
Comparison: Unlike mahajanapada kings who tried to conquer and control everything individually, Ganas operated on collective discussion. Women, dasas, and karmakaras could not participate in these assemblies.
Survival: Famous rulers like Ajatasatru wanted to attack the Vajjis. He sent his minister to the Buddha to get his advice. The Sanghas lasted for a very long time until they were conquered by the Gupta rulers much later.

Key Terms to Remember (महत्वपूर्ण शब्द)

Raja: King (राजा)
Ashvamedha: Horse sacrifice ritual (अश्वमेध यज्ञ)
Varnas: Social classes (वर्ण)
Janapada: Land where a tribe settled (जनपद)
Mahajanapada: Large, powerful kingdoms (महाजनपद)
Fortification: Building walls around a city for protection (किलाबंदी)
Bhaga: Share of tax, usually 1/6th of agricultural produce (भाग/कर)
Gana / Sangha: Organization or association with many rulers (गण / संघ)

Kingdoms, Kings and an Early Republic

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