New Beginnings Cities and States Class 7 Question Answer SST Chapter 4

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Class 7 SST Chapter 4 New Beginnings Cities and States Question Answer

Class 7 Social Science Chapter 4 New Beginnings Cities and States Question Answer

New Beginnings Cities and States Class 7 Questions and Answers

The Big Questions (Page No. 70)

Question 1.
What is meant by ‘Second Urbanisation of India’?
Answer:
The ‘Second Urbanisation’ in India refers to the new phase of urbanisation that began in the 1st millennium BCE, particularly in the Ganges plain, some areas of the Indus Valley, and the surrounding regions. This phase developed after the decline of the Harappan civilisation, and evidence for it is found in archaeological excavations and in later Vedic, Buddhist, and Jain literature.

Question 2.
Why were the janapadas and mahajanapadas an important development in India’s early history?
Answer:
The Janapadas and Mahajanapadas hold special significance in the early history of India, as it was through them that organized political systems developed. With the emergence of the Janapadas, people began to settle in defined territories, and governing structures became more clearly defined. Later, these Janapadas coalesced to form Mahajanapadas, which were the first organized states of India.

Question 3.
What kind of system of governance did they evolve?
Answer:
In the Janapadas and Mahajanapadas, a monarchical system of government primarily developed, in which the king was the supreme ruler and his position was generally hereditary. The king consulted with the assembly and council on matters of governance. In some Mahajanapadas, such as the Vajji and Malla, a democratic system of government developed, where important decisions were made by an assembly. In these states, the king was also elected by the assembly.

Let’s Explore (Page No. 70)

Question 1.
The most powerful of these new states were Magadha, Kosala, Vatsa and Avanti. Looking at the map, can you identify their capitals? Also, how many can you match with Indian cities of today?
Answer:
The capitals of the powerful Mahajanapadas mentioned in the question, and their current identities are as follows-

• Magadha’s capital was Rajagriha (modern-day Bihar).
• Kosala-Capital was Sravasti (modern-day Shravasti, Uttar Pradesh).
• Vatsa-Capital was Kaushambi (modern-day Kosambi, Uttar Pradesh).
• Avanti-Capital was Ujjayini (modern-day Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh).

Let’s Explore (Page No. 76)

Question 1.
Why should a complex society divide itself into such groups? Think about several possible factors why this happens.
Answer:
A complex society divides itself into various groups because the number and complexity of tasks within that society increase. A division of labor becomes necessary for the efficient functioning of different tasks such as governance, administration, religion, education, agriculture, trade, crafts, manufacturing, and security. This allows each group to gain expertise in its specific function, and the society operates smoothly. However, over time, this very division can sometimes give rise to inequalities.

Question 2.
List other such professions you expect in a complex society of the 1st millennium BCE.
Answer:
In the developed society of this period, various occupations related to governance and administration, religion and education, trade, urban planning, agriculture, crafts, and arts would have existed. These included farmers, artisans, merchants, construction workers, religious practitioners, and administrative personnel.

Class 7 New Beginnings Cities and States Question Answer

Questions and Activities

Question 1.
Consider the quotation at the start of the chapter and discuss in several groups. Compare your observations and conclusions on what Kautilya recommends for a kingdom. Is it very different today?
Answer:
Kautilya recommends for a kingdom that the kingdom shall be protected by fortifying the capital and the towns. A kingdom should have strong forts, cultivable land, mines, timber forests and pastures, good roads and waterways, and a productive economy. The state should be such that it should be capable of sustaining the population and also outsiders in times of calamities.

These recommendations of Kautilya are not fundamentally different from today’s circumstances, as security, resources, transportation systems, and a strong economy are still considered essential for a state today.

Question 2.
According to the text, how were rulers chosen in early Vedic society?
Answer:
Rulers were chosen in early Vedic society in the following way-

• Rajas were selected from among the elders of the clan.
• Assemblies like Sabha or Samiti was suppose to give advice to the ruler, and according to some texts incompetent ruler could be removed by the assembly.
• The ruler was not expected to rule independently.
• Later, in some places, monarchies were practiced, the ruler was the ultimate authority.

Question 3.
Imagine you are a historian studying ancient India. What types of sources (archaeological, literary, etc.) would you use to learn more about the Mahajanapadas? Explain how each source might contribute to your understanding.
Answer:
As a historian studying the history of ancient India, I would use the following two sources-
1. Archaeological sources, such as excavations, which provide information about the existence of ancient cities, their fortifications, moats, buildings, and urban structure.
2. Literary sources, including later Vedic, Buddhist, and Jain literature. These texts provide details about the names of the Mahajanapadas (major kingdoms), their capitals, administrative systems, and the socio-political life of that period. Thus, the history of the Mahajanapadas can be understood through these two sources.

Question 4.
Why was the development of iron metallurgy so important for the growth of urbanism in the 1st millennium BCE? You may use points from the chapter but also from your knowledge or imagination.
Answer:
The development of iron metallurgy in the first millennium BCE was crucial for urbanization, as iron tools made agricultural expansion possible. Iron plows, sickles, and other implements facilitated the clearing of forests and the cultivation of more land, leading to increased food production.

Furthermore, iron weapons were stronger and more effective than those made of bronze, enhancing the military power of states and enabling the defense of cities. Iron technology also boosted crafts, trade, and construction. All these factors led to increased production, trade, and population growth, which in turn fueled the development of cities and large kingdoms (Mahajanapadas).