New Beginnings Cities and States Class 7 Extra Questions and Answers SST Chapter 4

Start practising the Class 7 SST Extra Questions and Class 7 SST Chapter 4 New Beginnings Cities and States Extra Questions to consolidate your knowledge effectively.

New Beginnings Cities and States Class 7 Extra Question Answer

New Beginnings Cities and States Class 7 Important Questions

New Beginnings Cities and States Class 7 Very Short Question Answer

Question 1.
What are Mahajanapadas?
Answer:
Some early Janapadas had merged together, and the resulting bigger units are called ‘Mahajanapadas’.

Question 2.
What do you understand by Moat?
Answer:
Moat is a deep, wide ditch surrounding a fort or a fortified city and filled with water.

Question 3.
Why were gateways through the rampart walls would be kept narrow?
Answer:
To control the movement of people and goods entering and leaving the city by means of guards.

Question 4.
Which are the most ancient texts of India?
Answer:
The most ancient texts of India are the Vedas.

Question 5.
What is the other names of Indus civilisation?
Answer:
The other names of Indus civilisation are Harappan; Sindhu-Saraswati civilisation.

Question 6.
Name the most powerful Mahajanapadas.
Answer:
Magadha, Kosala, Vatsa and Avanti.

Question 7.
Why were scholars called the Vajji and Malla Mahajanapadas as ‘early republics’?
Answer:
Because Vajji and Malla were one of the earliest democratic systems in the world.

Question 8.
In which metallurgy were the people of the Harappan civilisation mastered?
Answer:
Harappan civilisation mastered copper and bronze metallurgy.

Question 9.
What facilitate agriculture on a bigger scale at the end of the second millennium BCE?
Answer:
The use of iron agricultural tools in farming activities facilitate the agriculture on a bigger scale.

Question 10.
On what criteria does society organize itself into different groups?
Answer:
On the criteria of class, occupation, etc.

Question 11.
Into what two-fold system was Indian society organized?
Answer:
Jati and Varna system.

Question 12.
What were the functions of the Kshatrivas in the Vama system?
Answer:
To defend the society and the land, and to engage in warfare if necessary.

Question 13.
Which regions of India did the Uttarapatha route connects?
Answer:
Uttarapatha connected the northwest regions to the Ganga plains, all the way to eastern India.

Question 14.
Write one feature of the Shishupalgarh city.
Answer:
This city followed a strict square ground plan.

Question 15.
Along which river was the Ashmaka Mahajanapada located?
Answer:
Godavari River.

New Beginnings Cities and States Class 7 Short Question Answer

Question 1.
What are the sources of information about the Second Urbanization?
Answer:
There are mainly two sources of information about the Second Urbanization—

1. Archaeological excavations, which have confirmed the existence of ancient urban centers.
2. Ancient literature, such as the later Vedic, Buddhist, and Jain texts, which describe them.

Question 2.
Why were many Mahajanapadas concentrated in the Ganges plains?
Answer:
The Ganges plains provided fertile land for the development of agriculture. The availability of iron ore in the mountains and hills, and the development of new trade networks, contributed to the concentration of the Mahajanapadas.

Question 3.
Describe the characteristics of the capital cities of the Mahajanapadas.
Answer:
Most cities were large and strongly fortified. A moat was dug outside the fortifications for further defence. The gateways through the rampart walls were kept narrow so that guards could control the movement of people and goods entering or leaving the city.

Question 4.
Write about two major trade routes of ancient India.
Answer:
The two major trade routes were-

• Uttarapatha-This connected the northwestern regions to the Gangetic plains and extended to eastern India.
• Dakshinapatha-This started from Kaushambi. crossed the Vindhya mountain range and extended to South India.

Question 5.
How was the system of governance in Malla and Vajji different from other Mahajanapadas? Explain.
Answer:
Malla and Vajji had more powerful assemblies or councils called ‘Sabha’ or ‘Samiti’. These assemblies made important decisions through discussion and voting. They also had the power to elect the ruler.

Question 6.
What major change in technology do we see in the Second Urbanisation?
Answer:
The Harappan civilisation was mastered in copper and bronze metallurgy and relied on these metals for making tools, weapons, and utensils. In the Second Urbanisation, the use of iron metallurgy began. Iron was more durable and easier to shape. This boosted trade and agriculture.

Question 7.
What was the basis of the early varna-jati system?
Answer:
Initially, society was classified based on occupation to reduce the complexity of the numerous groups. This system was quite flexible, and people could change their profession if circumstances demanded. However, over time, this system became rigid and complex, leading to inequalities and social discrimination.

Question 8.
What changes occurred in society during the Second Urbanisation?
Answer:
During the Second Urbanisation, there was a major technological change in society.
such as iron metallurgy. Iron tools increased agricultural production. Another innovation was the first use of coins in India, which became necessary due to increasing trade. Generally, each Mahajanapada issued its own coins.

Question 9.
What were the duties of the king in the monarchical Mahajanapadas?
Answer:
The king collected taxes or revenue and maintained law and order. He had strong fortifications built around the capital. He maintained his army to defend his territory or wage war against neighboring states.

Climates of India Class 7 Long Question Answer

Question 1.
Write briefly about the jati system prevalent in early Indian society.
Answer:
Jati was a ‘group’ or ‘community’ in which people were associated with a particular profession. Jati was based on skills, such as skills in agriculture, metallurgy, trade, or a craft. Jati was generally passed down from generation to generation. A jati would get further subdivided into sub-jatis, each of which developed customs and traditions (marriage, rituals, or food habits).

Question 2.
How were rulers selected in ancient Indian Janapadas, and how did the assemblies function?
Answer:
Each Janapada had an assembly of elders, called the Sabha or Samiti, where matters related to the clan were discussed. The king could not rule independently; he had to consult with ministers and administrators. An incompetent ruler could be removed by the assembly. This means that the members of the assembly had the power to elect or remove the king. Most of the members were elders.

Question 3.
Explain the monarchical system of the Mahajanapadas with examples.
Answer:
The king was the supreme authority. He was assisted by a council of ministers and elders. His position was hereditary. The king collected taxes and maintained law and order. The capital city was fortified. The king maintained an army to defend the territory. Examples: Magadha, Kosala, and Avanti were the most powerful of these kingdoms.

Question 4.
Describe the main characteristics of the Gana-Sanghas or republican Mahajanapadas.
Answer:
The main characteristics of the Gana- Sanghas or republican Mahajanapadas were-

• The assembly or council held significant power.
• They made important decisions through discussion and, when necessary, by voting.
• This included the decision regarding the selection of the king.
• These Mahajanapadas were not monarchies; their system of governance can be described as democratic.
• Vajji and Malla were examples of Maha¬janapadas with a republican political system.

Question 5.
How did trade and travel connect different parts of India in ancient times?
Answer:
In the 1st millennium BCE. Several important routes were developed for trade, travel, and military campaigns. Two major trade routes were the Uttarapatha and Dakshinapatha. Cities like Shishupalgarh became important centers of trade and had a well-planned layout. In the south, kingdoms like the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas prospered through trade. Goods and culture spread throughout India and reached other parts of Asia.

Question 6.
How did Janapadas evolve into Mahajanapadas by the 8th or 7th century BCE? How many Mahajanapadas are mentioned in the texts, and what was their geographical extent?
Answer:
By the 8th or 7th century BCE, several early Janapadas merged into larger political units called Mahajanapadas due to the expansion and interconnectedness of trade networks. Ancient texts mention 16 Mahajanapadas. Their extent ranged from Gandhara in the northwest to Anga in the east and Ashmaka in the south, which was located in central India near the Godavari River.

Question 7.
What kind of social organisation existed during the Mahajanapada period? Explain.
Answer:
During the Mahajanapada period, Indian society was organised into two main systems-‘Jati’ and ‘Varna’. ‘Jati’ was a community whose members were associated with a particular profession or occupation (such as agriculture, metal work, trade), and this skill was passed down from generation to generation. Within a jati, there were sub-castes with their own distinct customs.

‘Varna” was a concept originating from the Vedic texts, comprising four categories: Brahmins (knowledge and religious rituals), Kshatrivas (defense and warfare), Vaishyas (trade, business, and agriculture), and Shudras (craftsmanship, service). Although this system later became rigid, in the early period, people could change their occupations according to their circumstances, making the system somewhat flexible.

Question 8.
Describe the important trade routes of ancient India.
Answer:
In the 1st millennium BCE, important communication routes developed for the purposes of trade, pilgrimage, and military campaigns. Texts specifically mentions two routes-the ‘Uttarapatha’ and the ‘Dakshinapatha’. The Uttarapatha route connected the northwestern regions to the Ganges plains and from there to northeastern India, while the Dakshinapatha route, starting from Kaushambi, crossed the Vindhya mountain range and led towards South India.

In addition to these main routes, there were several parallel routes that connected other parts of India, especially the important ports on the western and eastern coasts. Through these routes, not only people and goods, but also ideas and teachings were exchanged.

Question 9.
Why was the development of iron metallurgy so important for the second urbanisation? Explain.
Answer:
The development of iron metallurgy was a crucial technological change for the second urbanisation in the first millennium BCE. Although methods of iron extraction already existed, its widespread use in daily life began later. Iron tools facilitated the expansion of agriculture, making cultivation possible in the fertile plains of the Ganges and playing a vital role in the flourishing and prosperity of the Mahajanapadas.

Furthermore, iron weapons such as swords, spears, and shields proved lighter and more effective than those made of bronze, which was significant for warfare and defense. This technological advancement contributed to the emergence of new states and empires.

Question 10.
How was the security of ancient cities ensured?
Answer:
The security system of ancient cities, especially the capitals of the Mahajanapadas, was quite strong and well-planned. Most cities were surrounded by large and strong ramparts. Outside these fortifications, a deep and wide moat was constructed for security, which was often filled with water. In addition to these defensive structures, the gates leading into the city were deliberately made narrow.

The purpose of this narrow entrance was to allow guards to control the movement of people and goods entering the city, thereby preventing unauthorized entry and ensuring security. Kautilva also considered the fortification of the capital essential in an ideal state.

Question 11.
Why were Janapadas and Mahajanapadas important in the early history of India?
Answer:
Janapadas and Mahajanapadas were significant in the early history of India as they represented regional political reorganization and the rise of organized states. In the latter half of the 2nd millennium BCE, people began to organize themselves into clans or tribes and settled in defined territories, which were called Janapadas.

By 8th to 7th centuries BCE, with the expansion of trade routes, these Janapadas merged into larger political units called Mahajanapadas. These 16 Mahajanapadas (such as Magadha, Kosala, Vatsa, Avanti) emerged as the first organized states. They developed systems of governance, military forces, and tax collection systems to regulate political, economic, and social life, laying the foundation for Indian civilization.