6.Chapter 12.Janpadas and Mahjanpadas.History

Chapter 12 

Janapadas and the Mahajanapadas

(600-100 BCE) N KAMBUA to GANDHARA KURU PANCHALA Haslina.  ADSALA shall, "MALLA VIDORA VATSA Val Kahama NASI PADA Varas AVANT CHED MAGAIA jane. TO MATSYA In the earlier chapter, we have studied about the Vedic Civilization and the social and political life of the people. The society, at that time, was advanced  . Towns, cities and even kingdoms or Janapado had come up towards the Later Vedic period. In this chapter, we shall study about Janapadas an Mahajanapadas that existed around 600 BCE in India. The scriptures of Buddhism, Jainism and the traditional literature (Puranas)  are the sources of our information. A region inhabited by a tribe or Jana was called Janapada. Literally, the word Janapada means' thu land where Jana set its foot. Gandhara (modern Afghanistan), Kuru, Panchala and Videha (locate in Uttar Pradesh  and Bihar) were some of the Janapadas. MAHAJANPADAS in the beginning, people title belonging to the same tribe inhabited a Janapada, but with the expansion of their territories through conquests, they came to  be known as Mahajanpadas.  Magadha, Avanti, Kosala, Matsya, Anga, Kashi were some of the important and strong Mahajanpados The Magadha emerged as the most powerful Mahajanpada as it conquered the territories of other Mahajanpadas.  Matrimonial alliances with daughters of other rulers were also a step towards expanding power these Mahajanapadas later became parts of Magadha empire.  ) Mahajanpadas Vatsa, NA DAY OF DENGAL ASIAKA ARABIAN SEA • Ancient cities INDIAN OCEAN 102.

There were a few kingdoms where the rulers were chosen by the people of the kingdom.  Do you know?  These kingdoms were known as Ganasanghas.  Mahatma Buddha was born in the Sakya The office of the ruler was not hereditary.  Some Gansangha or Republic.  of the important Gansanghas were Lichchhavis of Vaishali, Sakyas of Kapilvastu, Vrijis of Mithila, Mallas of Pava (Kushi - nagar).  There was an assembly in each Republic.  It made laws.  The Raja or King was its head IMPORTANT RULERS Bimbisara (542-492 BCE): Hewasanintelligent and a far - sighted ruler.  Not only did he extend his empire, but also had an efficient administration.  He never tolerated any inefficient official.  He Do You Know?  consulted the village headman "Gramini 'for an empire is much larger than a kingdom administering the villages. Bimbisara's capital and needs a big army to protect it. was Rajgriha (near Patna in Bihar). Ajatshatru (492-460 BCE): The second  Magadha king established his capital, Pataliputra, in village Patali on the bank of River Ganga. He annexed Kosala, Kashi and Vaishali and extended his Do You Know? Empire.  db Ajatshatru used two weapons catapult and ganga. Ajatshatru was deeply influenced by covered chariot successfully in his invasion. Buddhism and Jainism. Darshak (460-444 BCE): According to Puranas, he became the King of Magadha after the death of Ajatshatru. Two  important dynasties, Shishunagas and Nandas, considered the Magadha afterwards. Magadha attained a very prestigious position under the Nandas, they extended the territories of Magadha further. The last King of Nanda  dynasty was Ghanananda.  He judged from 345 BCE to 322 BCE.  

Administration The King was the supreme Head of the State.He became very strong and enjoyed vast powers.He was also the head of the army and led the wars.He was regarded as god among his people.  
There were many officers to assist him in discharging his duties.The Officers were called Mahamatras.  They performed the functions of the ministers (Mantris).  
The other important officers were: Sena nayak (Chief of the army), Sangrahitri (Treasurer), Purohita (Priest) and Gramini (Head of the village).  Ayuktas performed the similar functions at the state level.

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The selection of officers was made by the council in the Republics.  The ministers played very important role in the administration.  The king had a powerful and disciplined army comprising of infantry, cavalary, war elephants and chariots 
Social Condition The society was based on Varna System, i.e.  Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras which formed the foundation of the society.  
The Kshatriyas were considered better than the Brahmins Vaishyas were called Grihapatis, who followed agriculture, cattle - rearing and trade) 
The duty of Shudras was to serve the other three classes of the people.  
The Varnas were based on birth and not on work.  
The family was considered to be an important unit of the society.  
The women occupied a prestigious place in the society.They studied Vedas and their education was given importance there were, perhaps, some tribes which were considered untouchables.  Religion the rigidity of Varna System and the strict rituals made the people drift away from Brahamanism and Hinduism.  Buddhism and Jainism became popular during this time as they discarded any type of casteism and rituals.  
Economic Conditions The use of iron brought a radical change in the life of the people of Magadha.  The main occupations of the people were cattle - rearing and agriculture.  The tiller was considered to be the owner of the land that he cultivated.  (The land revenue was charged from 1 / 12th to 1 / 6th of the total produce of the year known as Bhaga (share), their main crops were wheat, cotton, rice and sugarcane. They usually produced three crops in a year. There  were many other professions like jewelery making, weaving, carpentry, pottery, etc. The trade and crafts were also well developed. People of different vocations had their own organisations which were called as Guilds. Each guild had its own head known as Shrenee. The  Traders had to pay taxes to the King. There was a well - regulated money system, introduction of coins helped in the growth of trade. The coins were made of copper and silver. The coins were known as punch marked Punch marked coins 
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Page 105 coins.They were punched with the symbols of sun, moon, trees, mountains, etc.  Magadha had a well - developed external and internal trade.  Some of the important towns (Pura - nagars) and large towns (Mahanagars) during this period were - Champa (Bihar), Rajgriha (Bihar), Shravasti (Dist. Gonda in UP), Kausambi (Distt. Allahabad in UP), Varanasi  (UP), Vaishali (Bihar), Mithila (Bihar and Nepal border), Ayodhya (Distt. Faizabad in UP), Ujjayani (MP), etc.  Some of the famous ports were - Tamraparvu (Sri Lanka), Shuprik (Sopara), Bhrigukaccha (Broach) and Pattal.  Magadha - A successful empire there were a number of reasons for the success of Magadha (present day Bihar), like advantageous geographical position as Ganga and its tributaries provided a cheap means of transportation.  Agriculture was wide spread and productive.  Besides iron mines were in abundance for tools and weapons.  Elephants, an important component of military were found in the forests of the empire.  It had two capitals - Rajgriha and Pataliputra - headed by efficient, and far sighted rulers like Bimbisara and Ajatshatru.  An efficient military and civil administration, efficient money system, harmonious social structure and well - constructed bridges and roads made Magadha first amongst the sixteen Mahajanapadas of that period.  Keywords gana: a group consisting of many members.  matrimonial alliances: relations through marriages.com republic: a state where its head is elected by the people.  sangha: organization or association