Question Answers for Chapter 4 New Beginnings: Cities and States Class 7 Social Science Exploring Society: India and Beyond
Class 7 Social Science New Beginnings: Cities and States Extra Questions
Very Short Answer Questions
Question 1. What are janapadas?
Answer
Janapadas were early settlements or territories formed by clans in north India.
Question 2. Who ruled over a janapada?
Answer
A janapada was ruled by a raja.
Question 3. Name any one mahajanapada with a republican form of government.
Answer
Vajji.
Question 4. What are mahajanapadas?
Answer
Mahajanapadas were larger states formed by merging janapadas.
Question 5. What metal became common for tools and weapons in this period?
Answer
Iron
Question 6. What were early Indian coins called?
Answer
Punch-marked coins.
Question 7. Which ancient capital is now near modern-day Patna?
Answer
Rajagriha.
Question 8. What was India’s First Urbanisation?
Answer
India’s First Urbanisation refers to the Harappan Civilisation that ended around 2000 BCE.
Question 9. When did India’s Second Urbanisation begin?
Answer
India’s Second Urbanisation began in the 1st millennium BCE.
Question 10. How many mahajanapadas are mentioned in ancient texts?
Answer
Ancient texts mention 16 mahajanapadas.
Question 11. Name two powerful mahajanapadas.
Answer
Magadha and Kosala were two powerful mahajanapadas.
Question 12. Name one mahajanapada that followed the gana or sangha system.
Answer
Vajji followed the gana or sangha system.
Question 13. What was the capital of Vatsa?
Answer
The capital of Vatsa was Kauśhāmbī.
Question 14. What geographical region did many mahajanapadas develop in?
Answer
Many mahajanapadas developed in the Ganga plains.
Question 15. Why was the Ganga plain suitable for settlements?
Answer
It had fertile land ideal for agriculture.
Question 16. What natural resource helped make tools and weapons during this period?
Answer
Iron ore from nearby mountains helped make tools and weapons.
Question 17. What is a sabhā or samiti?
Answer
Sabhā or samiti was a council of elders advising the raja.
Question 18. What is an early example of a democratic system in India?
Answer
The gana-sangha system is an early example of democracy.
Question 19. Which texts give us information about this period?
Answer
Late Vedic, Buddhist, and Jain texts give us information about this period.
Question 20. What did punch-marked coins look like?
Answer
They were silver coins stamped with symbols.
Question 21. What role did coins play during this time?
Answer
Coins were used for trade within and between regions.
Question 22. What were the four varnas in Vedic society?
Answer
The four varnas were Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras.
Question 23. What are the Dakshinapatha and Uttarapatha?
Answer
They were ancient trade routes linking different parts of India.
Short Answer Questions
Question 1. Describe the role of the council in early janapadas.
Answer
The sabhā or samiti advised the raja and helped make decisions. In some cases, they even had the power to replace an unfit ruler.
Question 2. How did southern kingdoms like the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas develop?
Answer
These kingdoms grew in south India through trade and agriculture. Ancient Tamil literature records their rulers and rich culture.
Question 3. What were mahajanapadas and why were they important?
Answer
Mahajanapadas were large states formed from janapadas. They marked India’s Second Urbanisation with cities, trade, and governance.
Question 4. What was the role of sabhā and samiti in governance?
Answer
They were councils of elders who advised or even elected rulers, especially in ganas and sanghas with democratic traditions.
Question 5. How did iron tools impact agriculture?
Answer
Iron tools were stronger and sharper, making farming more efficient and supporting larger food production.
Question 6. Describe the social structure based on varnas.
Answer
Vedic society had four varnas – Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (traders), and Shudras (workers).
Question 7. What was Dakshinapatha and why was it significant?
Answer
It was a major route from central to south India, helping trade, military, and cultural exchange.
Question 8. How did the Second Urbanisation differ from the rural life after the Harappan period?
Answer
After the Harappan cities declined, people lived in small villages for about 1000 years. The Second Urbanisation brought the growth of new cities, trade, and political systems in the Ganga plains and beyond.
Question 9. What do archaeological excavations tell us about janapadas and mahajanapadas?
Answer
Excavations reveal city layouts, fortifications, coins, and tools that help us understand life in these ancient settlements. These findings match details from ancient texts.
 |
| Ruins of complex at Kaushambhi |
Question 10. Why were cities like Rajagriha and Kauśhāmbī fortified?
Answer
These capitals were fortified with moats and narrow gateways to protect against attacks. Fortification showed the need for safety in growing urban centers.
Question 11. How did trade routes contribute to the rise of cities during this time?
Answer
Trade routes connected regions, allowing the movement of goods, people, and ideas. This helped cities grow into major centers of commerce and culture.
Question 12. What were the key duties of a raja in a monarchy?
Answer
A raja collected taxes, built forts, kept an army, and maintained law and order. His position was usually passed down to his son.
Question 13. How were ganas or sanghas different from monarchies?
Answer
In ganas or sanghas, decisions were made by discussion or voting, not by one ruler. This was an early form of collective leadership.
Question 14. How did iron tools improve farming?
Answer
Iron tools were sharper and stronger than earlier tools, allowing farmers to clear more land. This made large-scale farming easier and more productive.
Question 15. How was the varna system organized in Vedic society?
Answer
The varna system divided people into four groups based on their roles: priests, warriors, traders, and workers. These roles were passed down in families.
Question 16. What kind of work did people in different jātis do?
Answer
Each jāti had a traditional occupation, such as farming, pottery, or metalwork. These jobs were passed down and shaped their social identity.
Long Answer Questions
Question 1. Match Column A with the correct option in Column B.
|
Column A |
Column B |
|
1. Magadha |
(a) Early republic |
|
2. Punch-marked coins |
(b) Silver with symbols |
|
3. Vajji |
(c) Capital at Rajagriha |
|
4. Chola Kingdom |
(d) Traded spices and gold |
|
5. Sabha/Samiti |
(e) Advised or elected rulers |
Answer
|
Column A |
Column B |
|
1. Magadha |
(c) Capital at Rajagriha |
|
2. Punch-marked coins |
(b) Silver with symbols |
|
3. Vajji |
(a) Early republic |
|
4. Chola Kingdom |
(d) Traded spices and gold |
|
5. Sabha/Samiti |
(e) Advised or elected rulers |
Explanations:
- 1 → c: Magadha’s capital was Rajagriha, a strong fortified city.
- 2 → b: Punch-marked coins were made of silver and used in trade.
- 3 → a: Vajji was a gana with a republican government.
- 4 → d: The Cholas in south India traded spices and precious stones.
- 5 → e: Sabha and samiti were councils that guided or chose rulers.
Question 2. Explain the impact of Buddhism and Jainism during this period.
Answer
Impact of Buddhism and Jainism:
- Buddhist and Jain teachings spread across India through monks, nuns, and pilgrims.
- They taught values like non-violence, truth, and simple living.
- These religions attracted people from different jātis and offered alternatives to the strict varna system.
- They supported education and art, influencing Indian culture deeply.
- Their messages were spread through both oral traditions and written texts.
- This helped unite diverse regions under shared ideas.
Question 3. Describe the features and significance of punch-marked coins.
Answer
Features and significance of punch-marked coins:
- Punch-marked coins were India’s first coins, made of silver and stamped with symbols.
- They helped make trade easier and more organized.
- Each mahajanapada issued its own coins, but they were used widely across regions.
- These coins were not only used locally but also traded with other countries.
- Their use shows the rise of market-based economies.
- They marked a shift from barter to monetary systems.
Question 4. How did the gana-sangha system show early democratic traditions in India?
Answer
Early democratic traditions in India shown by gana-sangha system:
- In the gana-sangha system, decisions were made by a council rather than a single ruler.
- Members discussed matters and voted, sometimes even choosing or removing their raja.
- This system encouraged shared leadership and public participation.
- It was used in places like Vajji and Malla.
- These early republics were among the world’s first democratic systems.
- Though not perfect, they showed early democratic values.
Question 5. What was the role of trade routes like Uttarapatha and Dakshinapatha in this period?
Answer
Role of trade routes like Uttarapatha and Dakshinapatha in this period:
- The Uttarapatha connected northwest India to the Ganga plains and eastern cities.
- The Dakshinapatha linked central India to the south.
- These trade routes helped goods, people, and ideas move across regions.
- They connected inland cities to coastal ports involved in foreign trade.
- As a result, economic and cultural exchange increased across the subcontinent.
- Roads also supported military and religious journeys.
- These routes helped unify India during this time.
Question 6. What factors led to the growth of mahajanapadas in the Ganga plains?
Answer
Factors which led to the growth of mahajanapadas in the Ganga plains:
- The Ganga plains had fertile soil, which supported farming and fed large populations.
- Nearby mountains provided iron ore to make tools and weapons.
- Trade networks developed along rivers and roads, connecting different regions.
- These factors supported stronger economies and armies.
- As a result, many janapadas merged into powerful mahajanapadas.
- The plains became a center of India’s Second Urbanisation.
 |
| Fertile Ganga Plains heped Mahajanpadas to grow |
Question 7. Design a social welfare program for the people of a mahajanapada based on the society described in this chapter. What features would the program include?
Answer
- A social welfare program in a mahajanapada would focus on improving the lives of the common people, especially in the areas of health, education, and agriculture.
- The program would include free healthcare at local clinics, which could also provide traditional remedies as well as new practices brought in by traveling scholars.
- It would promote education for all, especially for the children of artisans and traders, ensuring knowledge was passed down through generations.
- The program would also support agricultural communities with tools and resources to make farming more productive, especially through the distribution of iron tools and better irrigation techniques.
- It could also include a fair distribution system for goods, ensuring that no one in the society was left behind.
Question 8. How did the growth of mahajanapadas in India lead to changes in the social and political structure?
Answer
The rise of mahajanapadas marked a shift from small clans (janapadas) to larger, more organized states, leading to the establishment of formal governance systems.- Powerful mahajanapadas like Magadha, Kosala, and Avanti had monarchies with centralized control, where the raja was supported by ministers and an assembly.
- This political change allowed for more structured societies with fortifications, armies, and tax systems.
- At the same time, democratic republics like Vajji and Malla, where councils or assemblies had more power, introduced early democratic traditions in India.
 |
| Map of 16 Mahajanpadas |
Question 9. What were the cultural contributions of this period in art and learning?
Answer
Cultural contributions of this period in art and learning:
- This period saw growth in sculpture, architecture, and painting influenced by religious and social ideas.
- Scholars and teachers spread knowledge through new schools of thought.
- Artistic styles developed in cities, temples, and monasteries.
- This laid the foundation for the great art of later empires.
- Cultural exchange through trade routes enriched these contributions.
- Cities became centers of both learning and creativity.
Question 10. How might the use of punch-marked coins have impacted trade and economy during the period of Second Urbanisation?
Answer
- The use of punch-marked coins during the period of Second Urbanisation had a significant impact on trade and the economy.
- Coins provided a standardized medium of exchange, making trade easier and more efficient.
- Merchants and traders could now engage in transactions across regions, without the need for bartering.
- The introduction of punch-marked coins also symbolized the development of a more organized economy, where trade was not just limited to goods but extended to currency, helping states collect taxes and stimulate economic growth.
- These coins became an important tool for both local and international trade.
Question 11. How did the varna-jāti system evolve, and what were its effects?
Answer
- The varna-jāti system began as a flexible way to organize work and society.
- Early on, people could change occupations based on need.
- Over time, roles became hereditary and rigid, limiting social mobility.
- This led to inequality and unfair treatment of lower jātis.
- British rule later made the system even more fixed and discriminatory.
- Despite its flaws, the system shaped Indian society for centuries.
Question 12. How did cities like Śhiśhupalgarh reflect urban planning and trade in ancient India?
Answer
- Śhiśhupalgarh in Odisha had a square layout with wide roads and strong fortifications.
- It served as the capital of Kalinga and shows advanced planning for safety and trade.
- Artifacts found here suggest active local and foreign trade.
- The city had public spaces, planned streets, and gateways for movement.
- It reflects how cities became centers of power and culture.
- Urban design supported both economic growth and security.
Question 13. Compare the governance structures of monarchies and ganas/sanghas in ancient India. How were they different in terms of decision-making?
Answer
- Monarchies in ancient India, like those in Magadha and Kosala, were led by a raja whose power was largely hereditary.
- The raja made decisions with the advice of ministers and an assembly, but his authority was central, and decisions were often made by him.
- In contrast, ganas or sanghas, found in states like Vajji and Malla, operated more democratically.
- These republics allowed the council or assembly to play a key role in decision-making, with members voting or discussing important matters, including the selection of the raja.
- This form of governance was more participatory compared to the monarchies.
Question 14. How would you use the history of iron metallurgy in India to explain the growth of agriculture and warfare during the Second Urbanisation period?
Answer
- The advent of iron metallurgy significantly boosted both agriculture and warfare in ancient India.
- Iron tools made farming more efficient by improving the quality of plows, making it easier to clear land and grow crops.
- This led to increased agricultural productivity, especially in the fertile Ganga plains.
- At the same time, iron weapons such as swords and spears strengthened the military, enabling mahajanapadas to expand their territories and defend themselves.
- The use of iron thus played a pivotal role in both the economic and military growth of these early states.
Question 15. If you were tasked with organizing trade routes during the Second Urbanisation, how would you connect the Ganga plains to the Deccan Plateau for effective trade?
Answer
- To organize trade routes between the Ganga plains and the Deccan Plateau, I would focus on creating safe, well-marked paths that facilitated the movement of goods such as agricultural products, iron tools, and spices.
- The Uttarapatha route, which connected the north to the east, could be extended to link the Ganga plains to the Dakshinapatha, which ran from central India to the south.
- These routes would be secured with forts or resting stations for travelers and traders.
- Additionally, I would ensure that roads near riverbanks were prioritized for transportation, as rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna provided a natural pathway for trade.
Question 16. Why do you think the concept of janapadas and mahajanapadas played such a key role in the political and social development of ancient India?
Answer
Janapadas and mahajanapadas were foundational in the development of India's political and social structure.- Janapadas represented early settlements and the beginning of organized societies with leaders, often seen as the precursors to more advanced systems.
- The consolidation of janapadas into larger states known as mahajanapadas marked the shift to more complex governance, with fortified cities, armies, and tax systems.
- This allowed for greater control over territories and resources, facilitating the growth of trade, culture, and administration.
- The expansion of these states also introduced concepts like democracy in republics, setting the stage for later political developments.