Kingdoms, Kings and an Early Republic

The horse sacrifice. A horse was let loose to wander freely, guarded by the Raja's men. If it wandered into other kingdoms and they stopped it, they had to fight. If allowed to pass, it meant they accepted the Raja's supremacy.

The land where the 'jana' (people) set its foot and settled down. Archaeological excavations have been found at Purana Qila (Delhi), Hastinapura (Meerut), and Atranjikhera (Etah).

About 2500 years ago, some janapadas became more important than others. They had a capital city, often fortified (huge walls of wood, brick, or stone).

For protection against attacks, to show the king's power and wealth, and to control the land and people inside efficiently.

Soldiers were paid regular salaries and maintained by the king throughout the year. Some payments were made using punch-marked coins.

The tax on crops. Ideally fixed at 1/6th of the produce. It was the most important tax as most people were farmers.

Craftsmen (labor), Herders (animals/produce), Traders (buying/selling), Hunters/Gatherers (forest produce).

1. Use of Iron Ploughshares (better than wood for heavy clay soil). 2. Transplantation of Paddy (planting saplings instead of scattering seeds).

It became the most important Mahajanapada in 200 years. Rivers Ganga and Son flowed through it (water, transport, fertility). Forests nearby provided elephants for the army and wood for building.

Bimbisara and Ajatasattu (used all means to conquer). Mahapadma Nanda (extended control to North-West).

His soldiers were scared. They had heard that Indian rulers had vast armies of foot soldiers, chariots, and elephants.

Capital at Vaishali (Bihar). It was a 'Gana' or 'Sangha'. It had not one but many rulers (Raja). They met in assemblies to decide action. Women, dasas, and kammakaras could not participate.

Both the Buddha and Mahavira belonged to ganas or sanghas.

They lasted for 1500 years until the Gupta rulers conquered the last of them (around 1500 years ago).

Gana is used for a group that has many members. Sangha means organization or association.

He wanted to attack them. He sent his minister Vassakara to the Buddha for advice. Buddha asked if they met frequently. He said they would survive as long as they maintained unity and established rules.

Landless agricultural labourers who had to work on others' fields.

Grey and Red. Being known as Painted Grey Ware (PGW), they had simple lines and geometric patterns.

Thousands of bricks or stone slabs were prepared. Enormous labor was organized (men, women, children).

A famous Buddhist book containing speeches of the Buddha, written down about 2300 years ago.

Ashvamedha means Horse Sacrifice.

The Raja who organized the sacrifice was considered very powerful.

Priests performed the rituals.

The Raja had a special seat (throne or tiger skin).

The Charioteer was the Raja's companion and chanted tales of glory.

Shudras were excluded from many rituals.

Varnas were decided by birth.

Brahmins were expected to study and teach the Vedas.

Kshatriyas were expected to fight battles and protect people.

Vaishyas were farmers, herders, and traders.

Shudras had to serve the other three groups.

Women and Shudras were not allowed to study the Vedas.

Ekalavya is a famous story about a Nishada (forest dweller).

Iron mines in Jharkhand were tapped by Magadha rulers.

Rajagriha (Rajgir) was the old capital of Magadha.

Pataliputra (Patna) became the new capital called Pataliputra.

Alexander lived in Macedonia (Europe).

Alexander wanted to conquer the world.

Digha Nikaya describes the Vajjis.

Fortification wall at Kaushambi (Allahabad) was made of brick.

The wall at Kaushambi was built 2500 years ago.

Iron ploughshare increased agricultural production.

Transplantation required back-breaking labor.

Slave men and women (Dasas/Dasis) worked in fields.

Taxes were collected regularly.

Officials collected taxes.

Punch-marked coins were used for trade.

Forests provided wood for carts, chariots, and houses.

Elephants were captured and trained for the army.

Bimbisara was a contemporary of Buddha.

Ajatasattu built the fort of Rajagriha.

Alexander arrived around 2300 years ago.

Vajji capital was Vaishali.

Gana had many rulers, each called a Raja.

Rituals were performed together in a Gana.

Assemblies debated specific issues.

Women were excluded from Gana assemblies.

Buddha and Mahavira were associated with Sanghas.

Guptas conquered Ganas 1500 years ago.

Greece and Athens had a democracy around 2500 years ago.

In Athens, all free men over 30 were citizens.

Athens had an assembly that met 40 times a year.

Citizenships were chosen by lottery in Athens.

Women were not citizens in Athens.

Slaves in Athens had no rights.

Rajas of Mahajanapadas needed resources for forts and armies.

Farmers paid 1/6th of their produce as tax.

Herders paid tax in the form of animals.

Traders paid taxes on goods sold.

Hunters provided forest produce as tax.

New kinds of Rajas (Ashvamedha)

Formation of Mahajanapadas

Alexander's Invasion

End of Ganas/Sanghas