MCQ Questions for chapter-5 Kingdoms, kings and an early republic

(a)

Exp. At that time, it was essential to provide peace and security to their area of influence. Each Jana was looking to expand their Jana at the cost of another. So building forts and maintaining huge army was the demand of the day.

(d)

Exp. This was because most of the people were farmers. Agriculture began to be recognised as the most important source in the collection of taxes.

(b)

This tax was collected at the rate of 1\6^th of the total produce. The English name of the word ‘Bhaga’ is share, therefore it is also known as shadabhaga. This tax was the main source of the Janas.

(d)

Exp. For example, a weaver or a smith had to work for a particular days every month for the king/state.

(a)

Exp. This was due to the reason that iron ploughshare in comparison to wooden plough could turn heavy, clayey soil in a better way. Thus it led to the increase in the agricultural production.

(b)

Exp. Transplantation of paddy seedlings starts with the onset of summer. This was due to the reason that the life of the plant increased and they began to have a greater longevity.

(b)

Exp. They were important because they made the land fertile. These rivers were effectively used for carrying transportation. They were used for the water supply too.

(a)

Exp. Rajas of janapadas performed big sacrifices because they wanted to make their rule permanent in those areas. These Rajas were of the opinion that by performing these sacrifices they will be treated in a higher stream by their subjects.

(a)

Exp. Mahajanapadas were formed by bringing together many Janapadas. There were altogether 16 Mahajanapadas covering almost the whole of Northern India.

(b)

Exp. Hastinapur was the capital of the kingdom of the Kauravas, belonging to the Kuru dynasty of kings. The throne of this city was the prize over which the Kurukshetra War of the epic Mahabharata was fought.

(c)

Exp. The fortification was done to ensure the safety of the state. In case a mahajanapada was attacked, he could use the fort to carry on the war for longer period of time.

(c)

Exp. Magadha was located on the confluence of the river Ganga and the region had fertile soil the location of the state was close to the iron ore resources of Singhbhumi that was capitalized by the state by making implements of agriculture and warfare.

(d)

Exp. They belonged to the Harnayaka dynasty. Under their rule Magadha became very powerful in northern India. It slowly started to assume the character of an empire.

(b)

Exp. He annexed many kingdoms, which were lying in this region. He conquered many territories that presently fall in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

(c)

Exp. It served the capital of Bihar for many years under different dynasties. Because of its strategic location and availability of minerals, it never lost its importance under different dynasties.

(d)

Exp. He was the king of the Macedonia. He lived in Macedonia around 2300 years ago. He attacked and occupied many countries of the west Asia. He even attacked India.

(a)

Exp. This government had many partners each enjoying the right to vote in the election of their kings. This jana was sometimes also called Sangha.

(b)

Exp. These Rajas performed the rituals together. Besides this they also met in assemblies to decide over the matters through discussions or debate.

(c)

Exp. He was born in the Sakya gana. This gana was located in Nepal. Like other ganas, it also followed the rules of a proper gana.

(d)

Exp. They were mostly annexed in the reign of Samudragupta. These conquered ganas or sanghas were annexed to the Gupta Empire and resulted in the extension of the Empire.

(a)

Exp. The Digha Nikaya is a Buddhist scripture. The Digha Nikaya, or "Collection of Long Discourses" (Pali digha = "long") is the first division of the Sutta Pitaka, and consists of thirty-four suttas, grouped into three vaggas.

(b)

Exp. The capture of the horse meant an invitation to the war. It meant that the horse-capturing raja is ready for the war.

(c)

Exp. The untouchables were regarded as the unwanted people and were given polluting tasks of cleaning the drains etc. According to some dharamshastras and Brahmin their contact would pollute the peson.

(d)

Exp. The charioteer was the companion of the King be it war or peace. He while doing this took an oath that he would not leave the king under any worst circumstances.

(a)

Exp. The painted grey ware was extremely fine to touch and had nice, smooth surface. This pottery had painted designs on it usually simple lines and geometric pattern.

(b)

Ajatasatru sent him to the court of the Vajji king to have divisions among their rank which he did successfully.

(c)

Exp. The chaitya halls were dedicated to lord Buddha and were considered as the place of worship. These were large, rectangular chambers, which were locally popular among the Buddhist worshippers.

(d)

Exp. The democratic type of government was formed around 2500 years ago. This government continued for about 200 years.

(a)

Exp. All those who were aspiring to be elected gave their name to a body that consisted of elders. Then a lottery was drawn and finally one was selected from the box.

(a)

Exp. After attaining 30 years of age, every free man of the state of Athens was recognised as a full citizen. By virtue of this recognition, they were allowed to participate in the election.

(c)

Exp. They were called so because they were written after Rig Vedic period. In this period Aryans migrated into the region from the Indus region.

(c)

Exp. These books give the details for the performance of rituals. They also contain certain rules regarding the society.

(a)

Exp. Kings built forts to protect their territory. Some rulers also constructed it to show their wealth and power by erecting massive walls around their cities.

(b)

Exp. The varnas were divided into four groups. And each varna had a different set of function to perform in the society.

(c)

Exp. Sudras were assigned the lowest status in the social hierarchy. Their duty was to serve the other higher classes i.e… Brahmins, Kshratriyas, and Vaishyas.

(d)

Exp. Women did not have good status in the society in the later Vedic Period. She was considered equal to the sudras and they were not allowed to read Vedas. The male of the house very closely monitored their movement outside the house.

(a)

Exp. Brahmanas suggested that varna syatem is hierarchical in nature. If someone’s father and mother belonged to the Brahmin community, he automatically assumed the varna of the Brahmins by the virtue of his birth.

(d)

Exp. The untouchables were given the lowest position among the Sudras. They were rearranged into the fifth Varna called panch varnas.

(a)

Exp. The Aryans migrated to this region. The example of such a migration was the migration of Videh Madhav who migrated to the eastern region.

(b)

Exp. They were expected to study and teach the Vedas. They also used to get gifts from the kings, after finishing their sacrificial work.

(b)

Exp. They were expected to fight the battles and protect people. They were called as Kshatriyas. Their main duty was to protect the religion from any challenge.

(c)

Exp. This community was expected to be farmers, herders, and traders. This community enjoyed the third position in the social hierarchy. They were engaged in the agricultural works.

(d)

Exp. Under this technique, instead of scattering seed on the ground, saplings were grown and then planted in the fields.

(d)

Exp. The kammakaras were not allowed to participate in the meetings of the assemblies. They lived in great poverty. Their social status was negligiable.

(c)

Exp. The rivers Ganga and Son flow through Magadha. They made the surrounding lands fertile and provided natural defence to the Magadha.

(d)

Exp. Elephants were captured from the forests. A proper training was given to them and they were then used in wars. For example, Ajatsatru used this animal in the war against the Licchavis.