NCERT Solutions for Class 7 SST Chapter 4 New Beginnings: Cities and States

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 SST Chapter 4 New Beginnings: Cities and States नवारंभ - नगर एवं राज्य 

Page No 67 The Big Questions?

Question 1.
What is meant by ‘Second Urbanisation of India’?
 ‘भारत का द्वितीय नगरीकरण’ से क्या अभिप्राय है?
Answer:
In the early 2nd millennium BCE, India’s first civilization started disintegrating. In the 1st mil-lennium BCE a vibrant new phase of urbanisation began in the Ganga plains, parts of the Indus basin and neighbouring regions, gradually spreading to other parts of the Subcontinent. This is often called India’s ‘Second Urbanisation’ which, incidentally, has continued right up to today.
दूसरी सहस्राब्दी ईसा पूर्व के आरंभ में भारत की पहली सभ्यता का विघटन शुरू हो गया। पहली सहस्राब्दी ईसा पूर्व में गंगा के मैदानों, सिंधु घाटी के कुछ भागों और पड़ोसी क्षेत्रों में नगरीकरण का एक नया और जीवंत चरण शुरू हुआ, जो धीरे-धीरे भारतीय उपमहाद्वीप के अन्य भागों में भी फैल गया। इसे प्रायः भारत का ‘द्वितीय नगरीकरण’ कहा जाता है। यह नगरीकरण की प्रक्रिया आज तक जारी है।

Question 2.
Why were the janapads and mahajanapadas an im¬portant development in India’s early history?
जनपदों और महाजनपदों का भारत के प्रारंभिक इतिहास में क्या महत्व है?
Answer
The emergence of janapadas and mahajanapadas was crucial in shaping early Indian history due to their advancements in agriculture, trade, and political organization. These entities facilitated increased production and distribution of goods, contributing to economic growth and the rise of urban centers.
जनपदों और महाजनपदों का उदय भारत के प्रारंभिक इतिहास को आकार देने में अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण था, क्योंकि इनके द्वारा कृषि, व्यापार और राजनीतिक संगठन में महत्वपूर्ण प्रगति हुई। इन संस्थाओं ने वस्तुओं के उत्पादन और वितरण में वृद्धि को बढ़ावा दिया, जिससे आर्थिक विकास हुआ और नगर केंद्रों के उदय में सहायता मिली।

Question 3.
What kind of system of governance did they evolve?
इन जनपदों और महाजनपदों ने किस प्रकार की शासन प्रणाली का विकास किया?
Answer:
Mahajanapadas, which were called ganas or sang- has, were not monarchies. Their functioning might be called democratic, since members of the assembly were the ones who selected the ruler and took major decisions. Mahajanapadas, which emerged from the consolidated Janapadas, maintained a largely monarchical structure but there were some where the rise of republics was seen which was in¬deed one of the earliest such systems in the world.

महाजनपद, जिन्हें गण या संघ कहा जाता था, राजतंत्र नहीं थे। उनकी कार्यप्रणाली को लोकतांत्रिक कहा जा सकता है, क्योंकि सभा के सदस्य ही शासक का चयन करते थे और महत्वपूर्ण निर्णय लेते थे।
सुदृढ़ जनपदों से विकसित हुए महाजनपदों में मुख्यतः राजतंत्रीय शासन व्यवस्था थी। हालांकि, कुछ महाजनपदों में गणतंत्रों का उदय भी हुआ। यह विश्व की प्रारंभिक गणतांत्रिक शासन व्यवस्थाओं में से एक थी।

Page No. 74 Let's Explore

Question 4:
Fill up the following table with a Yes (or tick mark) or No (or cross mark) in each square, which provides an interesting comparison between these two phases of Indian civilisation.

Page No 76 Let's Explore

Question 5:
Why should a complex society divide itself into such groups? Think about several possible factors why this happens.
Answer:
With the rise of civilization, a complex society divides itself in order to organize itself based on class, occupation and other criteria. There could be different groups concerned with governance, administration, religion, education, trade, town-planning, farming, crafts, arts and all kinds of other professions.

Question 6.
List other such professions you expect in a complex society of the 1st millennium BCE.
Answer:
In a complex society of the 1st millennium BCE, there could be a diverse range of professions. This would include specialized crafts, trade and administration, as well as roles related to warfare, religion, writing and record-keeping. Specific examples might include skilled metalworkers, stone masons, scribes, priests, soldiers, and merchants.

Page No 81 Question Answer (Exercise)

Question 1.
Consider the quotation given below and discuss in several groups. Compare your observations and conclusions on what Kautilya recommends for a kingdom. Is it very different today?
Answer

Question 2.
According to the text, how were rulers chosen in early Vedic society?
Answer:
In early Vedic society, rulers were not always hereditary kings. In early Vedic society leaders or rulers (often referred to as raja) were likely chosen by the community, particularly among the Kshatriya class. The position of a raja was often based on qualities like bravery, leadership, wisdom, and ability to protect the tribe, rather than just birthright. The sabha and samiti, which were early tribal assemblies, played a role in the selection and support of the ruler. These assemblies represented the collective will of the people. Brahmins (priests) often legitimized the ruler’s position through rituals, but they did not necessarily determine who became king. So, early Vedic leadership had a more democratic or merit-based element compared to later periods, where dynastic succession became the norm.

Question 3.
Imagine you are a historian studying ancient India. What types of sources (archaeological, literary, etc.) would you use to leam more about the mahajana- padas? Explain how each source might contribute to your understanding.
Answer:
As a historian studying ancient India especially the Mahajanapadas I would rely on a mix of literary, archaeological, numismatic, and epigraphic sources to build a well-rounded understanding.
(i) Literary Sources: These include ancient texts, religious scriptures, and historical accounts. They provide names, values, administrative styles, and sometimes even conflicts between different Mahajanapadas.

(ii) Archaeological Sources: Excavations at ancient sites reveal much about the culture. For example mins of cities like Rajgir, Ujjain, Taxila give us clues about urban planning, defense (forts), religious buildings, and daily life. Artifacts like pottery, tools, ornaments show levels of craftsmanship, trade links, and domestic life. These sources bring physical evidence of the existence, lifestyle, and technological level of the Mahajanapadas.

(iii) Numismatic Sources (Coins): Coins issued by different Mahajanapadas, especially Punch-marked coins often bear information about the rulers of that period. They reveal economic practices, trade, state authority, and interactions with other regions.
By using all these sources together, we can gather much clearer, multi-dimensional picture of the Mahajanapadas how they functioned, interacted, and shaped the early history of the Indian subcontinent.

Question 4.
Why was the development of iron metallurgy so important for the growth of urbanism in the 1 st mil¬lennium BCE? You may use points from the chapter but also from your knowledge or imagination.
Answer:
The development of iron metallurgy during the 1 st millennium BCE was a game-changer for early societies in India and it played a key role in the rise of urbanism (the growth of towns and cities). Here’s why it was so important:

(i) Stronger Tools and Weapons: Iron tools like ploughs, axes, and sickles were stronger and more durable than their earlier stone or copper counterparts. This led to more efficient agriculture, forestry, and construction. Greater agricultural productivity could support larger populations, which is essential for towns and cities to emerge.

(ii) Craft and Trade Specialization: Iron tools boosted various crafts like carpentry, masonry, and metalwork. As agriculture stabilized, more people could take up non-farming occupations (blacksmiths, traders, builders). These craftspeople and traders often lived in urban centers, where their goods could be exchanged or sold.

(iii) Growth of Trade and Infrastructure: Iron was also used to make transport tools (wheels, carts), helping in trade and connectivity. Urban centers often developed along trade routes, benefiting from increased mobility and commerce. Cities grew as commercial and administrative hubs.