Why the 6th Century BCE is considered a turning point in Indian history…..
The Earliest States (The sixteen ahajanapadas)
Mahajanapadas
Janapada means the land where a jana (a people, clan or tribe) sets its foot or
settles. It is a word used in both Prakrit and Sanskrit.
A Mahājanapada (literally "great realm", from maha, "great", and janapada
"foothold of a tribe", "country") is one of the sixteen kingdoms or oligarchic
republics that existed in ancient India from the sixth centuries BCE to fourth
centuries BCE.
Mentioned in Anguttara Nikaya and Bhagwati Sutra
Important features
Two types: Kingdoms and Republics(Oligarchy)
Each mahajanapada had a capital city, which was often fortified.
Regular Armies and bureaucracies
Collection of tax and tribute by the kings.
Struggle for Power
Magadha: The most powerful Mahajanapada
communication
Factors which made Magadha so powerful:
An Early Empire (The Mauryan Empire)
Founder:- Chandragupta Maurya (321 BCE)
extended control as far northwest as Afghanistan and Baluchistan
Succeded by Bindusara
his grandson Asoka conquered Kalinga (present- day coastal Orissa).
Historians have used the following sources to reconstruct the history of the Mauryan Empire.
Another source that is often used is the Arthashastra, parts of which were probably composed by Kautilya or Chanakya
Later Buddhist, Jaina and Puranic literature, as well as in
Sanskrit literary works.
The inscriptions of Asoka (c. 272/268-231 BCE) on rocks and pillars are often regarded as amongst the most valuable sources.
The account of Megasthenes (a Greek ambassador to the court of Chandragupta Maurya), which survives in fragments.
These include archaeological finds, especially sculpture.
Mauryan Administration
Different Levels of Administration
Central Administration
Provincial Administration
Local Administration
City Administration
Military Administration
Mauryan Provinces
Local Administration
The Provinces were further divided into districts which were administered by the ‘Sthaniks.
The next units of administration were similar to modern tehsils, which were groups of four to ten villages and were
administered by the ‘Gopas’.
The village head was called the
‘Gramika’.
Evaluation
Why is 6th Century BCE considered a big turning point in the history of India?
Mention about the sources used by the historians to reconstruct the history of the Mauryans.
Name the five provinces of Mauryan empire.
How was the administration of army run during the Mughal empire? Who was the head of village administration?