Different Aspects of the Age of Mahajanapadas

Emergence of new types of Towns

• Mahanagara: big cities like Kashi, Kaushambi, Shravasti, etc.
• Rajdhani: Capital cities such as Rajagriha, Patliputra, etc.
• Pura (Nagara): fortified towns
• Nigama: Market towns
• Nagarka: small towns

Three types of villages

• Typical villages: mixed castes, communities, most villages fell under this category
• Suburban villages: Craft villages, e.g., Chariotmakers’ villages, Carpenter’s village (Vaddhaki-grama)
• Border Villages (Aramika-Grama): situated on the periphery of the countryside
• Brahmadeyas: villages granted to Brahmanas

Emergence of Guilds (association of craftsmen or merchants)

• Artisans and merchants organised themselves into respective guilds
• Sethi was a high-level businessman.
• Vessas (merchant streets): areas where artisans and merchants resided
• Trade routes:
  • Uttarapatha (Taxila to Rajagriha and later extended to Tamrilipti) and Dakshinapatha

Use of Money

• Early series of punch-marked coins called Nishka and Satamana, primarily made up of Silver, with a few copper coins.

Taxes

•  Bali (voluntary payment) became compulsory, and Bali-adhyaksha appointed to collect it
• One-sixth of the produce paid by peasants as tax

Agriculture

• Agrarian Expansion aided by Iron ploughshare and fertile plains
• Crops: Rice (paddy transplantation widely practised), Barley, Pulses, Millets, Cotton, and Sugarcane.

Administrative System

• Parishad (advisory council of King consisting exclusively of Brahmanas)
• Officials: Kammikas, Shulk-adhyaksha, Rajabhatas

Legal and Judicial System

• Tribal laws replaced by Civil and Criminal law based on Varna distinctions
• Crime committed by Shudras punished severely, crimes by Brahmanas treated lightly
• Criminal laws based on retributions ('an eye for an eye')

Kinship

• Strong Kinship ties observed, even among Monks who were supposed to renounce family ties.

Condition of Women

• Subordination of women through Patriarchal control and an endogamous caste system
• Defined ideal code of conduct and roles for women.

Pottery

• Pottery shifted from Painted Grey Ware (PGW) culture to North Black Polished Ware (NBPW Phase).

PGW and NBPW

• Painted Grey Ware (PGW) (1000-700 BC) was made of well-prepared clay on a wheel, typically grey in colour, and decorated with black or red geometric patterns.
• The limited range of PGW shapes includes various bowls, dishes, and vases, representing the deluxe ware among a mix of different ceramics found in the Ghaggar and Indo-Gangetic regions during the Early Iron Age in India.
• Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) (600-200 BC) marked the start of the second phase of urbanisation in India. It was a glossy and shiny type of pottery, technically the finest of its time, with a polished surface resembling glaze in shades from jet black to deep grey or metallic blue due to iron content. NBPW fragments have been discovered from the Gangetic plains to the northern Deccan.

Art & Architecture

• Unique art and architecture in Mahajanapadas.
• Construction of stupas, temples, and palaces.
• Intricate carvings and sculptures reflecting cultural and religious beliefs.

What factors lead to the creation of Mahajanapadas?

• Settlement of tribes
  • Janas settled in various regions, shifting loyalty from Jana to Janapada.
• New agricultural tools
  • Introduction of advanced tools increased agricultural production.
• Sovereign ruler
  • The king governed, levied taxes, and maintained law and order.
  • Transition from Janpada to Mahajanapadas:
• Meaning: 
  • Janapada meant the place where the tribe settled. Janapadas competed for resources and political dominance.
• Political rivalry:
  • Some janapadas extended territories, evolving into Mahajanapadas.
• Mahajanapadas:
  • Represented territorial kingdoms ruling over people (Jana).
• Centralised administration:
  • King headed the government with centralised administration.

What is the significance of the Mahajanapadas with regard to early Indian History?

• Rise of powerful rulers and territorial states
• Shift towards urbanisation with the development of capital cities
• Formation of political alliances for security and mutual benefit
• Flourishing trade and commerce with the establishment of new trade routes
• Long-lasting influence on later Indian history in various aspects such as politics, society, and economy.

What were the causes of decline of Mahajanapadas?

• Weak rulers unable to maintain the empire's vast territories
• Economic decline due to deforestation, soil exhaustion, and neglect of irrigation works
• Frequent attacks from foreign invaders weakening the military and economy
• Regional revolts against the centralised rule of Magadha
• Succession disputes and civil wars leading to internal instability and vulnerability to external attacks

FAQs

1. How did the administrative systems of the Mahajanapadas function?

Answer - 

• The Mahajanapadas were ruled by kings who were supported by councils of ministers.
• The administration was divided into various departments, such as finance, justice, and defence.
• The basic unit of settlement was the Grama (village), which played a crucial role in the governance of the kingdom.

2. What were the significant economic factors during the Mahajanapadas period?

Answer -

• Agriculture was the primary occupation, and the kingdoms had a well-established system of taxation.
• Trade and commerce were important, with the establishment of trade routes and the minting of coins.
• The period witnessed an increase in activities related to agriculture, mining, and the building of cities.

3. How did the Mahajanapadas influence the later course of Indian history?

Answer -

• The political, social, and economic structures that emerged during this period continued to shape Indian society for centuries.
• The Mahajanapadas laid the foundation for the development of various cultural and religious beliefs that later evolved into classical Indian philosophy and thought.

4. What were the key reasons for the decline of the Mahajanapadas?

Answer -

• Weak rulers, economic decline, and regional revolts contributed to the decline of the Mahajanapadas.
• Foreign invasions and succession disputes weakened the empire, making it vulnerable to both external attacks and internal instability.

5. What does "second urbanisation" refer to?

Answer -

• The rise of towns in the Gangetic plains due to agricultural surplus, increased crafts and trade, and a growing population.
• It denotes the second urbanisation phase in Indian history, following the initial urbanisation seen during the Harappan Civilization.