OUR OWN ENGLISH HIGH SCHOOL, SHARJAH

GRADE: XII KINGS, FARMERS AND TOWNS 20th October 2015

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1. Discuss the evidence of craft production in Early Historic cities. In what ways is this different from the
evidence from Harappan cities?
Evidence of craft production in early historic cities is found in a different ways:
Artefacts: A wide range of artefacts have been recovered from the urban centres of the 6 th century BCE.
These include fine pottery bowls and dishes, with a glossy finish, known as Northern Black Polished
Ware, probably used by rich people, and ornaments, tools, weapons, vessels, figurines, made of a wide
range of materials gold, silver, copper, bronze, ivory, glass, shell and terracotta.
Inscription: By the 2nd century, there were inscriptions in a number of cities. These mention the name
of the donor, and sometimes specify his/her occupation as well.
Guilds (Shrenis): Guilds or, organisations of craft producers and merchants, are mentioned as well.
These guilds probably procured raw materials, regulated production, and marketed the finished product.
Difference:
HARAPPAN: In order to identify centres of craft production, archaeologists usually look at the raw material
such as stone nodules, whole shells, copper ore; tools; unfinished objects; rejects and waste material. These
traces suggest that craft production was undertaken in large cities such as Mohenjodaro and Harappa.
INDIAN SUBCONTINENT (6th 2nd century BCE): The presence of artefacts, inscriptions and guilds
provide evidence of craft production.

2. Describe the salient features of the Mahajanapadas.

1. 16 states: The sixth century BCE is a turning point in early Indian History as it was associated with early
states and cities. There were 16 states known as Mahajanapadas and the most important among these
were Vajji, Magadha, Koshala, Kuru, Panchala, Gandhara and Avanti.
2. Rajas: Most of the Mahajanapadas were ruled by kings, while some called the Ganas or Sanghas were
oligarchies where power was shared collectively by a group of men called Rajas. In some instances, the
rajas probably controlled resources such as land collectively.
3. Capital city:Each Mahajanapadas had a capital city which was often fortified. Maintaining these fortified
cities as well as providing for the armies and bureaucracies required resources.
4. Dharmasutras:The Brahmanas began composing Sanskrit texts known as the Dharmasutras that laid
down norms for rulers, who were ideally expected to be Kshatriyas. Rulers were advised to collect taxes
from cultivators, traders and artisans.
5. Raids: Raids on neighbouring states were considered as a legitimate means of acquiring wealth.
Gradually, some states acquired standing armies and maintained regular bureaucracies. Others continued
to depend on militia recruited from the peasantry.

3. How do historians reconstruct the lives of ordinary people?

Ans. Historians have used a variety of sources to reconstruct the history of Mauryan Empire as well as the lives
of the ordinary people living in the kingdom. These include:
Archeological finds: especially sculptures.
Contemporary works: such as account of Megasthenes which survives in fragments. Megasthenes
was a Greek ambassador to the court of Chandragupta Maurya .
Arthashastra, parts of which were composed by Kautilya or Chanakya, traditionally believed to be the
minister of Chandragupta.
 Literary works: The Mauryas are also mentioned in later Buddhist, Jaina and Puranic literature as well
as in Sanskrit literary works which prove to be useful.
Asokan Inscriptions: However the most valuable ones are the inscriptions of Asoka on rocks and
pillars.

4. Compare and contrast the list of things given to the Pandyan chief (source 3-pg 36) with those
produced in the village of Danguna (source 8- pg41). Do you notice any similarities or differences?
THE PANDYAN CHIEF: While the Pandyan chief visits the forest, he was honoured with gifts such as ivory,
fragrant wood, fans made of hair of the deer, antimony, sandalwood and edible items such as honey, turmeric,
cardamom, pepper, etc.
(b) They also bought in coconuts, mangoes, medicinal plants, fruits, onions, sugarcane, flowers, areca nuts,
bananas. (c) They also offered animals such as elephants, baby tigers, lions, monkeys, bear, deer, musk deer,
fox, peacocks, musk cats, wild cocks, speaking parrots, etc.

THE VILLAGE OF DANGUNA: In the Village of Danguna, the soldiers and policemen were not allowed to
be entered. (b) The people were exempted from providing grass, animal hides and charcoal. (c) They were
exempted from purchasing fermented liquors and digging salt, they were exempted from the rights to mines and
Khadira trees and from the obligation to provide with milk and flowers.
These all goods were donated together with treasures and deposits, and together with the major and minor taxes.
The difference in the two cases is that in the case of visit of the king, the people are obliged to offer
precious gifts whereas during the visit of the priest, the people are exempted from offering precious material.

5. List some of the problems faced by epigraphists.

1. Epigraphists do not know the script or language used by the people of the earlier historical periods.
Sometimes they have to take help of the experts who know the script and the language

2. Sometimes they find incomplete sentences on the inscriptions. They sometimes add these to make the
meaning of sentences clear. This has to be done carefully to ensure that the intented meaning of the
author is not changed.

3. Epigraphists have to take the stress on translation of some technical words or terms used in descriptions.
Their translation may not convey the correct sense or meaning. For example Epigraphists have
translated the term pativedaka as reporter the functions of the pativedaka is different from those we
would generally associate with reporters of today.

6. Discuss the main features of Mauryan administration. Which of these elements are evident in the
Asokan inscriptions that you have studied?
1. Extent of empire: The growth of Magadha culminated in the emergence of the Mauryan Empire.
Chandragupta Maurya, who founded the empire, extended control as far northwest as Afghanistan and
Baluchistan, and his grandson Asoka, the most famous ruler of early India, conquered Kalinga (present-
day coastal Orissa). There were five major political centers in the empire the capital Pataliputra and
the provincial centers of Taxila, Ujjayini, Tosali and Suvarnagiri, all mentioned in Asokan inscriptions.
2. Capital city: Administration was Strongest in areas around the capital and the provincial centres. These
centers were carefully chosen, both Taxila and Ujjayini being situated on important long-distance trade
routes, while Suvarnagiri was possibly important for tapping the gold mines of Karnataka.
3. Role of Army/Military: Communication along both land and riverine routes was vital for the existence
of the empire. Journeys from the centre to the provinces could have taken weeks - months. This meant
 arranging for provisions as well as protection for those who were on the move. This obviously brought
in the army for security of the people. (b) Megathenes mentions a committee which was sub divided
into 6 sub-committees for coordinating military activity one looked after the navy, the second managed
transport and provisions (The activities of the second subcommittee were rather varied : arranging for
bullock carts to carry equipment, procuring food for soldiers and fodder for animals and recruiting
servants and artisans to look after the soldiers)
The third was responsible for foot soldiers, the fourth for horses, the fifth for chariots and the sixth for
elephants.
4. Dhamma: Asoka also tried to hold his empire together by propagating dhamma, the principles of
which, as we have seen, were simple and virtually universally applicable. (b) This, according to him,
would ensure the well-being of people in this world and the next. (c) Special officers, known as the
dhamma mahamatta, were appointed to spread the message of dhamma. He inscribed his messages to his
subjects and officials on stone surfaces natural rocks as well as polished pillars. (d) He used the
inscriptions to proclaim what he understood to be dhamma. This included respect towards elders,
generosity towards Brahmanas and those who renounced worldly life, treating slaves and servants
kindly, and respect for religions and traditions other than ones own.

7. Discuss the notions of kingship that developed in the post-Mauryan period.

1. Chiefs and kings in the south: The new kingdoms that emerged in the Deccan and further south,
including the chiefdoms of the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas in Tamilakam proved to be stable and
prosperous. We know about these states from the early Tamil Sangam texts which contain poems
describing chiefs and the ways in which they acquired and distributed resources. (b) Many chiefs and
kings, including the Satvahanas who ruled over parts of western and central India and the Shakas, a
people of Central Asian origin who established kingdoms in the north-western and western parts of the
subcontinent, derived revenues from long-distance trade.
2. Divine kings: One means of claiming high status was to identify with a variety of deities. This strategy
is best exemplified by the Kushanas, who ruled over a vast kingdom extending from Central Asia to
northwest India. The notions of their kingship are perhaps best evidenced in their coins and sculpture.
(b) Colossal statues of Kushana rulers have been found installed in a shrine at Mat near Mathura.
Similar statues have been found in Afghanistan as well. This indicates that the Kushanas considered
themselves godlike. Many Kushana rulers also adopted the title devaputra, or son of god, possibly
inspired by Chinese rulers who called themselves sons of heaven.
3. Samantas: By the fourth century there is evidence of larger states, including the Gupta Empire. Many
of these depended on samantas, men who maintained themselves through local resources including
control over land. They offered homage and provided military support to rulers. Powerful samantas
could become kings while weak rulers might find themselves reduced to positions of subordinations.

8. To what extent were agricultural practices transformed in the period under consideration?
Various strategies were adopted to increase agricultural production:-
PLOUGH AGRICULTURE
One such strategy was the shift to plough agriculture, which spread in fertile alluvial river valleys such as those
of The Ganga and The Kaveri from c sixth century BCE. The iron-tipped ploughshare was used to turn the
alluvial soil in areas which had high rainfall. (b) In some parts of The Ganga valley, production of paddy
dramatically increased due to the introduction of transplantation although this meant back-breaking work for the
producer. (c) While the iron ploughshare led to growth in agricultural productivity, its use was restricted to
certain parts of the subcontinent -cultivators in areas which were semi-arid, such as parts of Punjab and
Rajasthan did not adopt it till the 20th century.
HOE AGRICULTURE
Those living in the hilly tracts in the north-eastern and central parts of the subcontinent practiced hoe
agriculture, which was much better suited to the terrain
IRRIGATION
Another strategy adopted to increase agricultural production was the use of irrigation, through well and tanks,
and less commonly canals. (b) Communities as well as individuals organized the construction of irrigation
works.

Additional Questions
Importance of inscriptions
1. Inscriptions are very important as they described major political centers, rulers, extent of empires, date
of events, etc. Some of these inscriptions were on stone, but most were on copper plates which were
probably given to those who received the land, as a record of the transaction. The records that have
survived are generally about grants to religions institutions/individuals. Most inscriptions were in
Sanskrit.

2. It is possible that the provisions of the legal texts were not implemented in many cases. While most land
grants document transactions between men, there are some, from different parts of the subcontinent,
which record transaction in which women participated as active agents.

3. How historians find what is written almost all the modern Indian languages are derived from Brahmi,
the script used in most Asokan inscriptions.

4. From the late 18th century, European scholars aided by Indian pundits, devised a system of composing
modern scripts, initially using Bengali and Devnagari manuscripts and worked backwards from modern
versions of the script of the older specimens.

5. Scholars who studied the early inscriptions sometimes assumed these were in Sanskrit, although the
earliest inscriptions were in fact in Prakrit. It was only after decades of painstaking investigations by
several epigraphist that James Prinsep was able to decipher Asokan Brahmi by 1838

Limitations of Epigraphy:
1. It is evident that there are limits to what epigraphy can reveal. Sometimes there are technical
limitations. Letters are very faintly engraved and reconstructions are uncertain. Also inscriptions may
be damaged and letters missing.

2. It is not always easy to be sure about the exact meaning of the words used in inscriptions, some of which
may be specific to an epigraphical journal or time. Scholars are constantly debating and discussing
alternative ways of reading inscriptions.

3. Although several thousand inscriptions have been discovered, not all have been deciphered, published
and translated. Besides, many more inscriptions must have existed which have not survived the ravages
of time. What is available at present is probably only a fraction of what was inscribed.

4. There is another perhaps more fundamental problem not everything that we consider politically or
economically significant was necessarily recorded in the inscriptions. For e.g. routine agricultural
practices and the joys and sorrows of daily existence find no mention in inscriptions which focus more
 often on grand, unique events. Another aspect is the content of inscriptions almost invariably projects
the perspective of the person who commissioned them.

Thus we can conclude that epigraphy does not provide a full understanding of political and economic history.
Very often historians often question both old and new evidence. Scholars in the late 19 th and early 20th century
were primarily interested in the histories of the kings where from the mid-20th century issues such as economic
change and the ways in which different social groups emerged have assumed much greater preoccupation with
histories of marginalized groups.

Explain the issues that should be kept in mind by the historian while handling inscriptional sources.
The issues that should be kept in mind by the historian while handling inscriptional sources are:
(i) Language used in the inscriptions. (a) Deciphering the script (b) Whether the language used is close to
present day language or not.
(ii) Whether the titles used by a particular ruler like Asoka matched in terms of content, style, language and
paleography.
(iii) Whether the statements made in inscriptions to judge whether they are true, plausible or exaggerations.
(iv) While interpreting the inscriptions the historians should ensure the intended meaning of the author of the
inscription is not changed, the historians add words within brackets.
(v) The historian must not view at face value only. Meanings beyond face value must be studied. E.g. not just
the text of Ashokan inscriptions but the larger context such as the place where it is placed is also of importance.

Mention the similarities and differences in crafts of rural areas between historical periods from the
Mauryan Age to the Gupta Age.
Similarities
1. People of towns as well as villages were expert in several crafts. The crafts of both areas included
making of pottery, wooden articles, iron tools and implements were manufactured of copper, tin, bronze
and iron.
2. Weapons such as knife, hand axe, swords, daggers, hoe and arrows were prepared of different metals and
things in cities as well as in villages.
3. Ivory work, glass work and shell work was done in some of the towns and villages, terracotta and clay
toys were prepared by urban people as well as rural people. Houses and building constructed here in the
towns as well as villages.
Differences
1. Houses and building in the towns were bigger and finer than the building and structures constructed
in villages
2. Coins were constructed by the goldsmith working in the towns.
3. Bowls and dishes made of fine pottery with a glossy finish probably were used by rich people in
towns. These were not used by the poor villagers.
4. Materials like gold, silver, copper, bronze, ivory, glass were more popular among the urban
craftsmen than the village craftsmen
5. Large ships were made in towns and not in villages but boats were manufactured only in coastal
cities and coastal villagers but not in cities of plains and in rural areas of the field away from sea-
shore.

Source 1 (Page 34)

1) List the jobs done by the officers of the state. (2)
a) Some of the officers measured the land and collected taxes.
b) Supervised the work of those connected to the land, notably wood cutters, blacksmiths and carpenters.
c) Others supervised the dams and rivers to ensure everyone got equal supply of water.
d) Still others were in charge of huntsmen who were entrusted with the power of punishing or rewarding them
as required.

2) Give any three features of the Mauryan Administration under Asoka.

a) The king had supreme powers. Even in legislative matters there was no constitutional check on his power to
make laws. A council of ministers or the mantriparishad advised the king.
b) Empire was divided into districts and each district consists of a number of villages. The district head was
known as Sthanika and village head was called Gramika.
c) Military administration was entrusted to the war officer consisting 30 members and 6 sub committees
consisting 5 members each.
d) Pataliputra according to Megasthenes Indica was administered by 6 committees consisting of 5 members
each. Each committee had a specific function/ duty to perform.

3) To what extent does this extract help us to undesrtand the mauryan empire ? Explain
The extract helps us to understand that the Mauryan Empire had a centralised administration and a vast
beauraucracy which performed multiple tasks.

4) What are some of the other sources for studying the empire? (2)
SOURCES other than the extract include:
i) Literary sources like Chanakya's ARTHASHASTRA and Megasthene's INDICA.
ii) Buddhist, Jaina, Puranic literature and Sanskrit literary works like the Mudrarakshasa.
iii) Asoka edicts and inscriptions are invaluable sources, for he was the first ruler who inscribed his messages to
his subjects on stone surfaces, rocks, and published pillars.
iv) Coins, punch marked coins, seals.

5) Explain the role of sub - committees for coordinating military activities.

Pataliputra according to Megasthenes Indica was administered by 6 committees consisting of 5 members each.
Each committee had a specific function/ duty to perform.
b) Infantry, cavalry, war elephants, chariots and transport and the navy constituted the army and a board looked
after each.
The activities of transport and provision subcommittee were rather varied. It consisted of arranging bullock
carts to carry equipment procuring food for soldiers, fodder for animals, recruiting servants and artisans to look
after the soldiers.

6) What did Asoka do to hold the empire together?

Source 2 (page 35)

1) Why was capture of elephants so important? (1)
Capturing of elephants was important because they formed an important wing of the military activities and
transportation.

2) What kinds of resources do you think the mauryan ruer would have required to maintain such a large army? (3)
Going by the greek account, the Mauryan kings would in such a situation have had to control all economic
activities, have an effective system of high taxation without exceptions, maintained stringent control over
expenses and required strong and efficient machinery assessment, collection and storage.
Apart from traditional sources of revenue like land, trade tolls they would have formulated new coercive means
of taxation.
 3) Who was regarded as the composer of the Arthathashastra?
The Arthashastra, or at least parts of it were composed by Kautilya or Chanakya , traditionally believed to be
the minister if Chandragupta Maurya.

4) How does the Arthashastra help in the reconstruction of History ?

The arthashastra along with Megasthene's Indica are important sources to reconstruct Mauryan history and
administration.
It informs us that the king set a high ideal - in the happiness of his subjects lay his happiness and in their
troubles lay his troubles.
The state made great efforts to bring virgin lands into cultivation with the help of cultivators and Shudra
labourers. A striking development was the employment if slaves in agricultural operations.
The state controlled almost all economic activities in the region. It appointed Superintendents to regulate
economic activities.
It mentions a list of taxes. If these were really collected, then there would be very less left for the people to live
on.

Source 3 ( Page 36)

1) What is the source of this text?
The source of this text is '' Silappadikaram'', an epic written in Tamil.

2) What were the gifts people brought? Explain.

a) Ivory b) Fragrant wood c) Fans made of the hair of deer. d) honey e) antimony
f) Red Choir g) spices h ) Medicinal plants j) Animals like Tigers , elephants , monkeys , bear , deer , musk
fox etc. k) Birds like peacock, speaking parrots, wild cocks.

3) Why did people bring these gifts?

a) as a sign of respect b) to pay homage c) as a gesture accepting the suzerainty of the chief and his leaders
in warfare , arbitrating disputes and performing special rituals.

4) What would the chiefs have used these gifts for?

The chief would have used these gifts from his subordinates and distributed them amongst his supporters as
generally there were no regular armies and officials in chiefdoms.

Source 4 (Page 37 )
1) What is a parshasti? Who wrote the above prashasthi?
Prashatsis are inscriptions composed in praise of kings by eminent poets. It was written by Samudagupta's court
poet Harishena.

2) Give any four qualities of the rulers as mentioned in the prashasthi?

Four qualities are: Compassion, kindness, tenderness and charitable.

3) Why did the rulers identify themselves with a variety of deities?

Gods the Prashasthi equated a ruler to are: - Kubera ( God of Wealth)- Varuna ( God of the Ocean) - Indra
( God of Rains) -Yama ( God of Death)
Rulers claimed divine status because the rulers did not exercise direct control over larger parts of their kingdom.
By adopting high sounding titles and super human equivalent to Gods dwelling on Earth they sought to gain
legitimacy and exercise authority over their feudatories
4) Name two other sources for studying about the Guptas.
Two other sources were Coins and Inscriptions. Some of the most spectacular gold coins were minted by Gupta
rulers. Inscriptions found on stone and copper plates give valuable information about various aspects of gupta
polity and administration.

Source 5 ( page 38)

1) When was the Sudarshana Lake built and by whom ? (1)
The Sudarhsna lake, according to the Girnar inscription was built by a local governor during the rule of the
Mauryas.

2) Name two rulers whose name is associated with its repair work. (1)
a) Shaka ruler Rudradaman I ( AD 130 - 150)
b) one of the rulers of the Gupta Dynasty.

3) Who was Rudradaman ? What is he best remembered for? (2)

Ans: Rudradam I was the most famous Shaka ruler in India, he ruled not only over the Sindh but also over a
good part of Gujarat , Konkan, the Narmada valley, Malwa , and Kathiwar. Although a foreigner settled in
India, he issued the first ever long inscription in chaste Sanksrit.
- Rudradam is also remembered because of the repairs he undertook of the Sudarshana lake using his own
resources without imposing any sort of taxes on his subjects.

4) Why did the rulers make arrangements for irrigation? (4)

a) increase land under cultivation
b) bring new lands under cultivation
c) to enable supply of resources , like water.
d) to enable application of new transplantation technique for rice cultivation , increase rice production.
e) to increase revenue. Despite trades becoming important, it seems cultivators formed majority of the
population and taxes on agriculture were the main source of revenue.
f) part of the strategy of state controlling all economic activity.

Source 6 (Page 39)

1) Why did the controversies of boundaries arise? Explain. (2)
Controversies rose because:
a) Ignorance of boundaries
b) Control of rulers was not uniform whereby new chiefdoms and kingdoms emerged at the expense of existing
rulers, control of land was crucial for social status . Rulers often sought to expand at one others expense to
accumulate resources labours and revenue.

2) Suggest the ways to solve boundary problems. (3)

The ways suggested in the Manusmriti are:
a) concealed boundary markers.
b) use of stones , cows hair , chaff , ashes , pots herds , dried cow dung , bricks , pebbles as markers buried in
the soil.
c) hidden markers made of things that would not decay in soil at the intersection of boundaries.

3) Explain with an example any such problem faced by India today. (3)
(Attempt yourself )
Some examples - India's boundary problems with Pakistan.
India's constant problem with China regarding boundary in Arunachal Pradesh while India claims it is part of
India, Chinese claim it is part of Chinese territory.

Source 8 ( Page 41)

1) Who has issued this inscription ? (1)
Ans : Prabhavati Gupta

2) Why does she want to donate the land ? who is the receiver of the land ?
To increase her religious merit - Acharya (teacher) is the receiver of the land.

3) What were the exemptions conferred on a typical Agrahara land ?

It is exempted from providing grass , hides as seats and charcoal , purchasing fermenting liquids , digging of
salt , mining , flowers and milk.

4) State the significance of this Source. 3 points.(3)

a ) exceptional women of the royal househld had access to the right to grant land.
b) gives an idea about rural population - Brahmanas , peasants and others.
c) gives an idea of the rural dues to the state. The village had to obey the new lord of the village and pay him
all the dues.

Source 9 ( Pg 44)
1) Explain the importance of the Malabar Coast. (3)
a) The Malabar Coast was an important link in India's trade imports and exports.
b) From the 6th century BCE the ports that dotted the west time connected India overseas.
c) The ports connected the sub-continent to the Arabian sea to east and North Africa and West Asia , eventually
the traded goods went across the Mediterranean Sea and to Europe.

2) How did the exchange of goods take place ? explain with an example.
a) Exchange of goods were facilitated by the introduction of coinage. Coins were issued not only by rulers but
punch marked coins indicate that towns people, merchants etc. also issued some coins. Yet another way was
probably through the exchange. Topaz , glass , copper , tin etc. was probably imported and goods in demand
were exported in exchange (Spices , tortoise shell)
b) Example : spices such as pepper , fine pearls , ivory , silk , cloth , medicinal plants were in high demand in
the Roman empire. Loads of Roman coins have been found at archeological sites which indicate network of
trade were not confined to political boundaries. There was close connections between the Malabar Coast and the
Roman Empire through trade.

3) Explain the working of the bead making industry. (2)

a ) The bead making industry found at Kodumahal (TN) used precious and semi-precious stones found in the
region.
b) the local traders bought the stones from the sites to the coastal ports for exchange and traded with the traders
from abroad.

4) Who used these land and river routes? (1)

These land and river routes were used by peddlers who probably travelled on foot and merchants who travelled
with caravans of bullock carts and pack animals.

Source 10 ( Page 47)

1) Who has issued this inscription? (1)
This inscription was issued by Asoka, the great Mauryan emperor who had adopted the title of '' Devanampiya
Piyadasi''.

2) What is ''Devanampiya Piyadasi'' often translated as ? (1)

Devanampiya - Beloved of the Gods
Piyadasi - Pleasant to Behold

3) Who were the ''patidevakas''. Give their function. (1)

Epigraphists have translated the pativedakas as reporter.
The chief function as pativedaka was to report to the king (Asoka) about the affairs of the people at all times
and place.
They seem to have had the access to the king at all times and were therefore an important means through which
the rulers learnt about public opinion.

4) How do epigraphists and historias collect information from inscriptions? State three points (3)
a) They first try to match in terms of content , style , language , and paleography, and try and conclude if the
inscriptions were issued by the same ruler; e.g : Asokan inscriptions.
b) Historians have to constantly assess statements made in the inscriptions with other sources to judge whether
they are completely true, plausible or just exaggerations as inscriptions more often than not the project the
perspective of the person who commissioned them.
c) To overcome technical limitations they sometimes add words to make the meaning of the sentences clear but
with utmost care. To ensure that the intended meaning of the author is not changed.
d) They make other assessments as well based on location and language of the inscription, e.g. : if inscriptions
are on important trade routes , what purpose did they serve or did most people stop and read or understand these
royal orders.

Source 11 (Page 48)

1) Who has issued this inscription? The excerpt refers to which war? (1)
This inscription was issued by Asoka, the great Mauryan emperor.
This excerpt from the inscription refers to the Kalinga war, it was said to be the one and only war fought by
Asoka.

2) Give the historical significance of this excerpt. (2)

The excerpt is historically significant because it reflects,
i) The anguish of the ruler and;
ii) It marks a change in his attitude towards warfare.

3) How did the king seek repentance? (2)

The king Asoka moved by the massacre in the war was filled with much grief and remorse because of the great
suffering he caused. He sought repentance by;
a) Abandoning the policy of physical occupation in favour of a policy of cultural occupation.
b) He sought conquer other lands ideologically. In other words he replaced the policy of ''bherighosha '' with
''dhammashosha''.

4 ) What steps did Asoka take to spread Dhamma ? {3 points} (3)

a) Asoka appointed a class of special officers known as the ''Dhamma Mahamatta'' to spread the message of
Dhamma among various groups.
b) He set a very high ideal for himself, and this was ideal of paternal kingship. He repeatedly asked his officials
to tell the subjects that the king looked upon them as his children.
c) He appointed '' Rajukas'' for administration of justice in his empire.
d) He forbade killing birds and animals, and completely prohibited slaughter of animals in the capital
e) Emphasized compassion towards animals and proper behaviour towards relatives.

EXTRA QUESTIONS - 2

Q1:-Write two sentences about the Harshacharita.

It is a biography of Harshavardhana .It was composed in Sanskrit by his court poet, Banabhatta in 7th century.
Q2:-For whom the word Piyadassi is used?
Piyadassi means plesasant to behold . It is used for King Ashoka.
Q3:-Who was Megasthenes?

Megasthenes was a Greek ambassador in the court of Chandragupta Maurya. He wrote a book named Indica.

Q4:-What is meaning of the term Dhamma?

The term Dhamma is Prakrit equivalent of Sanskrit word Dharma. According to Ashokas interpretation of the
term, Dhamma is a system of morality common to all religions. Ashoka says that Dhamma enables a man to
attain swarga (heaven).

Q5:- How did the state encourage the trade and commerce in Gupta period?

Some steps to encourage the trade and commerce are:

-Many formerly uninhabited regions had been settled.

-Transport was better organized and trade routes had improved.

-The circulation of money (coins) expanded intensively during this period.

-The state supervised the influx and selling of commodities.

Q6;- How did Magadha become as the most powerful kingdom in mahajanapada period ?

The various causes of Magadhas Success:-

Ambitious rulers such as Bimbisara, Ajatashatru and Mahapadmananda.

 Magadha enjoyed an advantageous geographical position.

Availability of the rich iron ores which were easily available to their rivals.

The two capitals of Magadha were situated at very strategic points.

Magadha was a region where agriculture was very productive.

Magadha also benefited from the rise of towns and use of metal money.

Availability of elephants which first use on a large scale in its wars against its neighbors.

Q7:- Examine the sources of knowledge with us to know about India of the age in between 600BCE-600CE?
The account of Megasthenes (a Greek ambassador to the court of Chandragupta Maurya) called Indica,
throws valuable light on the administration, society and economy of Maurya times.
India can be supplemented by the Arthashastra of Kautilya.
Epigraphy issued by the Ashoka Indo- Greeks, kushanas, Guptas etc.
Coins issued by Indo-Greeks, kushanas , Guptas etc. which gives us a valuable Knowledge of
political , Social and economic life.
Mahabharat, Ramayan, Puranas and other secular literary sources.
Buddhist and Jain literature.

Q8:-How did the Mauryan emperors promote trade and commerce?

Ans; - The Mauryas created for the first time well-organized state machinery. Their conquest opened the doors
for trading activities.

The contacts established by administrators, traders led to the spread of the material culture of the Gangetic basin
and aboard. This material culture was based on intensive use of iron, prevalence of writing, plenty of punch
marked coins, introduction of burnt bricks and ring wells and the rise of towns in north-eastern Indian.
Craftsmanship also achieved a high level at this time. Fabrics were exported to the west. The Arthashastra tells
of the special royal workshop over which state officials exercised strict control.

Craftsmen had their own guilds (Shreni). The state tried to establish control over the guilds. There were some
officials who had to supervise the minting of coins and money circulation.

Q9:- How do historians reconstruct the lives of ordinary people?

Ans:- Historians reconstruct the lives of ordinary people by fresh investigations of old resources and the development of
new strategies of analysis.

For example routine agricultural practices and the joys and sorrows of daily existence.(the story of Gandtindu)
Q10:-Discuss the notions of ruler ship that developed in the post Mauryan period?

Ans:-Many chiefs and kings including the Satvahanas, Shakas derived revenues from long distance trade. Their social
origins were often obscure but once they acquired power they attempted to claim social status in a variety of ways.

One means of claiming high status was to identify with a variety of deities. This strategy is best exemplified by
the Kushanas.
Including the Gupta Empire so many states were depended on Samantas, who offered Homage and provided
military support to rulers.

Q11:- The name of Ashoka shines in the history Why?

Ans:-Ashoka was certainly a great ruler in the history of the ancient world.

Ashoka brought the political unification of the country. He bound it further by one Dhamma (Dharma), one
language and one script called Brahmi.
Ashoka followed a tolerant religious polices.
Above all Ashoka is important in history for his policy of peace, non- aggression and cultural conquest.
Although he possessed sufficient resources and a huge army, he didnt wage any war after the conquest of
Kalinga, in this sense Ashoka was certainly far ahead of his day and generation.

Q12:- It is said that the Mauryan administration was sufficient and well organized. Do you agree with this
statement?

Yes, it is true that the Mauryan administration was sufficient and well organized

Magadha possessed the requisite power of sword to enforce its overall control.
In order to control all spheres of administration the state had to maintain a vast bureaucracy.
The administrative mechanism was backed by an elaborate system of espionage (spying).
According to Arthashastra the state appointed 27 superintendents to regulate the economic activities of the state.
The empire was divided into a number of provinces and each province was placed under a prince.
Central government maintained about to dozens departments of the state.
The administration of the armed forces was carried on by a board of 30 officers divided into six committees.

Q13. Which traditions are used by historians in order to understand social life during the Mahabharat period?

Ans As we see, each text was written from the perspective of specific social categories. So, they keep in mind who
composed what and for whom.

Mahabharat contain sections laying down norms of behaviour for various social groups. Earlier they believed that
everything that was laid down in these texts was actually practiced.

After studying other traditions they indicated the ideas contained in normative Sanskrit text were on the whole recognized
as authoritative. They were also questioned and even rejected.