Gseb Class 6 SS Early States Of Political System In India Question Paper
SECTION A – Multiple Choice Questions (10)
- About how many Mahajanpadas were there in India around the 6th century BCE?
(A) 12 (B) 14 (C) 16 (D) 18 - Which of the following was the capital of Anga?
(A) Champa (B) Vaishali (C) Mathura (D) Ujjaini - Which Mahajanpada had Vaishali as its capital?
(A) Vajji (B) Vatsa (C) Kashi (D) Avanti - Which state became very powerful during the time of Buddha?
(A) Gandhar (B) Magadh (C) Matsya (D) Kamboj - Who was the founder of the Haryanka dynasty?
(A) Bimbisar (B) Mahapadmanand (C) Shishunaga (D) Alexander - Which ruler made Patliputra his capital?
(A) Bimbisar (B) Ajatashatru (C) Mahapadmanand (D) Shishunaga - The word ‘Gana’ means:
(A) King (B) Mass/group of many members (C) Tax (D) Fort - The place where meetings of the Republic were held was called:
(A) Sabha (B) Janpad (C) Santhum (D) Sangh - Farmers generally gave what part of their yield to the treasury?
(A) One-half (B) One-third (C) One-sixth (D) One-tenth - Which Mahajanpada had Ujjaini as its capital?
(A) Avanti (B) Kuru (C) Kosal (D) Malla
SECTION B – Fill in the Blanks (10)
- The earlier states of different clans were called __________.
- The sixteen large states of the post-Vedic period were called __________.
- The capital of Kashi was __________.
- The capital of Vatsa was __________.
- The headquarters of Magadh during Bimbisar’s rule was __________.
- Bimbisar’s son __________ made Patliputra his capital.
- The Nand dynasty was established by __________.
- A state ruled directly or indirectly by a head elected by the people is called a __________.
- Vaishali was the capital of the __________ Republic.
- The artisans used to work for the state for __________ day in a month.
SECTION C – True or False (10)
- Janpad means the area or place of a person’s habitat. __________
- All Mahajanpadas were monarchies. __________
- Magadh, Kosal, Vatsa and Avanti were powerful states. __________
- Shishunaga belonged to the Nand dynasty. __________
- Mahapadmanand is considered the first Indian Emperor. __________
- In a Republic, the head could be elected by the people. __________
- All members of the Republic’s Sabha were chosen only from elderly people. __________
- Important matters such as administration, defence, war and treaties were discussed in councils. __________
- People of the period used only metal vessels and no clay vessels. __________
- Agriculture improved during the Mahajanpada period due to the use of iron tools. __________
SECTION D – Very Short Answer Questions (10)
- What was a Janpad?
- Name any four Mahajanpadas mentioned in the chapter.
- What is meant by Monarchy?
- Name the three powerful dynasties that ruled Magadh.
- Who was Bimbisar?
- What is meant by a Republic?
- What does the word ‘Gana’ mean?
- What does ‘Sangh’ mean?
- What was the main centre of the Vajji union state?
- Name any two crops grown during the period described in the chapter.
SECTION E – Short/Descriptive Answer Questions (10)
- Explain the development from Janpads to Mahajanpadas.
- Describe the importance of Magadh among the Mahajanpadas.
- Write a short note on the Haryanka dynasty.
- Write a short note on the Nand dynasty.
- Explain the main features of the Republic system in ancient India.
- Describe how the Sabha and councils functioned in the Republics.
- Explain the formation and administration of the Vaishali-Vajji state.
- Describe the social life of the people in the Republic states.
- Explain how rulers arranged defence and taxation during the Mahajanpada period.
- State the similarities between the Republics of ancient India and present-day democracy.
Gseb Class 6 SS Early States Of Political System In India Ans Key
SECTION A – Multiple Choice Questions
1. (C) 16
2. (A) Champa
3. (A) Vajji
4. (B) Magadh
5. (A) Bimbisar
6. (B) Ajatashatru
7. (B) Mass/group of many members
8. (C) Sanctum
9. (C) One-sixth
10. (A) Avanti
SECTION B – Fill in the Blanks
1. Janpads
2. Mahajanpadas
3. Varanasi
4. Kaushambi
5. Rajgrih (Girivraj)
6. Ajatashatru
7. Mahapadmanand
8. Republic
9. Licchchhavi
10. one
SECTION C – True or False
1. True
2. False
3. True
4. False
5. True
6. True
7. False
8. True
9. False
10. True
SECTION D – Very Short Answer Questions
1. A Janpad was the area or place of a person’s habitat; the term was also used in the sense of a state.
2. Any four: Anga, Vajji, Malla, Kashi, Magadh, Kosal, Vatsa, Chedi, Panchal, Sursen, Kuru, Asmaka, Avanti, Matsya, Gandhar, Kamboj.
3. A monarchy was a state system in which the king was the chief.
4. Haryanka dynasty, Nag dynasty, and Nand dynasty.
5. Bimbisar was the founder of the Haryanka dynasty of Magadh.
6. A Republic is a state directly or indirectly ruled by a head who is elected by the people.
7. ‘Gana’ means a mass or a group of many members.
8. ‘Sangh’ means an organization or assembly.
9. Vaishali was the main centre of the Vajji union state.
10. Any two: wheat, rice, barley, sugarcane, sesame, mustard, or cereals.
SECTION E – Short/Descriptive Answer Questions
1. Around 1000 BCE, states of different clans in Punjab and the Ganges region were called Janpads. By about the 6th century BCE, sixteen larger and more powerful states known as Mahajanpadas had developed.
2. Magadh became a powerful Mahajanpada during the time of Buddha. It was ruled by powerful dynasties such as the Haryanka, Nag and Nand dynasties. Bimbisar founded the Haryanka dynasty, Ajatashatru expanded Magadh, and Mahapadmanand made it one of the most powerful states of India.
3. Bimbisar founded the Haryanka dynasty. Its capital was Rajgrih (Girivraj), situated on the banks of the Ganga and Son rivers. His son Ajatashatru came to power, made Patliputra his capital, fought the Vajji union and defeated the Licchchhavis, thereby extending Magadh.
4. The Nand dynasty was established by Mahapadmanand, who was its most powerful ruler and is considered the first Indian Emperor in the chapter. During his time Magadh became the most powerful state of India. At the time of Alexander’s invasion, Dhananand ruled Magadh.
5. In a Republic, the head was elected by the people. The Sabha governed the Republic, and powers rested with its members. Matters were decided by vote or unanimity. Elderly as well as young members could be selected, and the president was chosen by election.
6. Members sat in the Sabha and discussed administration, defence, war, treaties and other important issues. Decisions were made by vote or unanimity. Councils assisted the Republic, and an executive committee helped the president in administration.
7. Licchchhavi, Vajji, Gyatak, Videh, Shakya, Malla and other republics formed a union for protection. It was known as the Vajji state. Vaishali, the capital of the Licchchhavis, became the main centre of this union.
8. People lived in simple houses and were associated with pastoral activities. They grew crops such as wheat, rice, barley, sugarcane, sesame and mustard. They used clay vessels, including painted grey pottery.
9. Rulers built strong, high forts and walls for defence and maintained large armies. Taxes supported these needs: farmers gave one-sixth of their yield, artisans worked for the state one day a month, cattle-rearers gave cattle as tax, and merchants paid tax on the sale of goods.
10. Ancient Republics had elected leadership, assemblies, councils, discussion of public matters, and decisions by vote or unanimity. These features show similarities with present-day democratic government, although the chapter describes the ancient system in its own historical context.