Janapadas and Republics
Short Questions
1. What was a ‘Jana’ in Vedic texts?
Answer: A group of people united by a common kinship structure.
2. What was the settlement of a Jana called?
Answer: Grama (village).
3. What is a Janapada?
Answer: A region occupied by a Jana, often developing into a state.
4. What was the role of Sabha in Janapadas?
Answer: It was a council of elders for decision-making.
5. Who was the chief of a Janapada called?
Answer: Rajan.
6. What term did Panini use for the warrior class in Janapadas?
Answer: Janapadin.
7. Name one Janapada formed by a single kula.
Answer: Kashi.
8. Which Janapada was formed by the union of five janas?
Answer: Panchala.
9. What is a Ganasangha?
Answer: An oligarchic or republican state.
10. Name a Vairajya state mentioned in ancient texts.
Answer: Uttar Kuru.
11. What was the highest decision-making body in a democratic Ganasangha?
Answer: Ganaparishada.
12. Who presided over the administration in a Ganasangha?
Answer: Ganapramukha (Adhyaksha/Raja).
13. What was the livelihood of Ayudhajivi Ganasanghas?
Answer: Warfare.
14.Which Ganasangha was associated with Gautama Buddha’s birth?
Answer: Shakya.
15. By when did powerful Janapadas evolve into Mahajanapadas?
Answer: 8th century B.C.E.
Long Questions
1. How did the concept of Jana evolve into Janapada?
Answer: Initially, Jana referred to a kinship-based group without territorial boundaries, living in gramas. As Vedic people settled in regions like the Ganga delta, the sense of territoriality developed, leading to defined geographic boundaries. This resulted in the formation of Janapadas, which were regions occupied by Janas, often transforming into independent states with formal administrative structures.
2. What role did territoriality play in the formation of Janapadas?
Answer: Territoriality instilled a sense of geographic boundaries among Janas, shifting their identity from kinship-based to region-based. This awareness led to the creation of informal local administrative structures, fostering autonomy. Consequently, Janapadas emerged as independent entities, some evolving into well-established states.
3. How did the administrative system of Janapadas function?
Answer: Janapadas were governed by assemblies like Sabha and Samiti, which held decision-making authority, including electing or removing the Rajan (chief). The system was flexible, adapting to socio-geographic changes, and later included a warrior class (Janapadin). This structure supported the transition from kinship-based to more complex state organizations.
4. What were the three ways Janapadas expanded and developed?
Answer: Janapadas expanded by uniting generations of a single kula (e.g., Kashi, Kosala), forming unions of multiple kulas (e.g., Panchala), or through conquest of weaker Janapadas by stronger ones. For instance, the Panchala Janapada emerged from the merger of five janas, while powerful Janapadas grew by absorbing others. These processes led to the growth and diversification of Janapadas across ancient India.
5. What is the difference between Ganarajya and Sangharajya?
Answer: Ganarajya refers to a state ruled collectively by members of a single kula (e.g., Malava) or multiple kulas (e.g., Vajji). Sangharajya is a federation formed by the union of multiple Ganarajyas, such as the Yaudheya-Kshudrak Sangh. Both represent oligarchic or republican governance but differ in scale and composition.
6. Describe the democratic Ganasanghas in ancient India.
Answer: Democratic Ganasanghas were divided into regional zones (Khanda), each represented by elected Ganamukhya in the Ganaparishada, the highest decision-making body. Key functionaries like Ganapramukha, Uparaja, Senapati, and Bhandagarika implemented decisions. Such systems existed in Punjab and Sindh during Alexander’s invasion.
7. What were the characteristics of oligarchic Ganasanghas?
Answer: Oligarchic Ganasanghas, termed Rajshabdopajivi, concentrated power in an elite class responsible for decision-making and administration. Examples include Vajji, Vrishni, and Panchala, as noted by Panini and Kautilya. These were prevalent in eastern regions like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
8. What was the significance of the warrior class in Janapadas?
Answer: The warrior class, known as Janapadin, was trained in warfare and played a crucial role in transitioning Janapadas to complex state organizations. Their emergence marked a shift from kinship-based social structures to ones requiring defense and expansion. This class supported the growing power and territorial ambitions of Janapadas.
9. Explain the Varta-Shastropajivi Ganasanghas with examples.
Answer: Varta-Shastropajivi Ganasanghas sustained themselves through trade, commerce, agriculture, animal husbandry, and warfare. Examples include Kamboj and Surashtra, where people were skilled in these diverse livelihoods. These Ganasanghas thrived in the northwest regions of the Indian subcontinent.
10. How were Janapadas geographically categorized in ancient literature?
Answer: Ancient literature divided the Indian subcontinent into five regions: Praachya (east), Praatichya (west), Udichya (north), Dakshina (south), and Madhyadesha (central). This categorization primarily focused on areas north of the Vindhya ranges, with Puranic texts later including southern regions like Dakshinapatha and Aparanta. Each region was associated with specific Janapadas, such as Anga in Praachya and Gandhara in Praatichya.
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