An Introduction to the Kings and Kingdoms of Early Times
The Jana (people) used to choose the KIngs or Rajas and then their heirs became kings in the early civilizations. These kings made the rule for the citizens and for their kingdoms. The King was responsible for the protection of the kingdom. The list of kings of early times of India is quite long and some famous kings of early times are Ajatashatru, Ashoka, Bindusar, Chandragupta, Samundragupta, and Harshavardhan, etc.
Here, we will learn about how Ashvamedha sacrifice, Janapadas and mahajanpadas, the tax system in and kingdoms of kings and kingdoms of the early period.
Ashvamedha or Horse Sacrifice for Kingdoms
Around 3000 years ago horse sacrifice for the kingdom was popular. It was a mark of the power and glory of the king. Who successfully performed the sacrifice of Ashvamedha was recognized as King of Rajas. In this sacrifice, a horse was set free to run and wander freely in other kingdoms and it was guarded by the people of the king. If the horse entered into the regions of other rajas and they stopped it that means they are challenging the owner of the horse and wanted to fight. If they allowed it to pass then they accepted that the raja whose horse have entered their region was stronger than them. In those times every king wanted to perform this ritual to show their power but everyone can not perform Ashvamedha easily as they have to fight with many kings.
Janapadas and Mahajanapadas
The literal meaning of the word ‘janapada’ is the land where the Jana set its foot and settled down. Thus the King of janapadasa was called the ‘Raja of Janapadas’.Rajas or kings of janapadas perform big sacrifices to show their power to the other kings
With the passing of the years, some Janapadas gained more relevance and importance than the others. Then these powerful Janapadas evolved as Mahajanapadas. Most Mahajanapadas contain a capital city and a fort to protect. The big fort was made from huge walls made of stones and wood which provides protection to the kingdoms from attacks from other kings. The Rajas made these forts to show their power and richness.
Tax System in Mahajanapadas
The main occupation of the people of the early times was agriculture hence taxes were collected on crops. Usually, the tax was fixed by the ruling authority at 1/6th of what was produced. This was called a share or bhaga. The craftspersons also pay taxes to the king. The taxes were also imposed on the herders in the form of animals and animal products. The buying and selling of the goods through the trade also fell under the category of taxation The forest products were given by hunters and gatherers to the king as a tax.
Agricultural Changes During this Period
Some agricultural changes have been witnessed during this time such as the use of wooden ploughshares and transplanting paddy. The first important change that can be seen as farmers started using wooden ploughshares. So the iron ploughshares replaced their wooden predecessors. This was helpful in farming since farmers could turn over the heavy and clayey soil better leading to more grain production. The second change was the transplantation of paddy became popular during this time. Before that plants would sprout out of the seeds scattered on the ground. But later formers replaced seeds with pre-grown saplings which leads to increased production.
A Closer Look on Mahajanapas
There were sixteen Mahajanapadas namely Magadha, Kasi, Anga, Vajji, Surasena, Kamboja, Malla, Panchala, Chedi, Gandhara, Vatsa, Kuru, Machcha, Kosala Avanti, and Assaka. The location of these Mahajapadas is given in the following map.
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Let’s have a look at the following two Mahajapadas for a better understanding of the ancient kingdom.
Magadha
Around 200 hundred years ago, the most powerful Mahajanapada was Magadha. Rivers Ganga n flowed through it which provided water, medium of transportation and was helpful in making the land fertile. In some of the forested parts of Magadha, other activities were performed such as animals such as horses and elephants used to captured and trained for the army.
The list of powerful kings of Magadha is long. The popular rulers are Bimbisara, Ajatasattu, Mahapadma Nanda, etc. The present-day Rajgir in Bihar; at that time it was called Rajagriha was the capital of Magadha for many years. Later Pataliputra or Patna became the capital of Magadha.
Vajji
Mahajanapada Vajji was under a different kind of government - called the Gana or Sangha. The capital of this Mahajapada was Vaishali (Bihar). there are many rulers of the janapada. The ruler of each janapads was called a Raja. These assemblies did not permit women, slaves, and labourers to be a part of them.
Kings and Kingdoms of the Early Medieval Period
There are many dynasties or kingdoms of the early Medieval period. Some of them are mentioned kings and kingdoms of the early medieval period below.
Pratihara dynasty was the last largest dynasty of northern India which ruled from the 6th century to the 11th century in most of the parts of India. It was the rivalry of the Gupta empire.
Chalukya dynasty ruled between the 6th to 12th centuries in most of the western Deccan and some of South India. Their capital was at Badami and language wad Kannada.
Rashtrakuta dynasty was a Kannada Dynasty that ruled between the 6th and the 10th centuries on the large parts of the Indian subcontinent. They are the ones who built the World Heritage center in Ellora, Maharashtra.
A South Indian Kannada dynasty whose kingdom referred to as Eastern Chalukyas was situated in the present-day Andhra Pradesh they were the descendants of Western Chalukyas.
The Pallava dynasty ruled from the 6th century to the 9th century. They were rulers of Telugu and some Tamil areas.
The last major Buddhist rulers were Pala Empire who ruled from the 8th to 12th centuries in Bengal.
Chola Empire was a South Indian empire that ruled from the 9th century to the 13th century in Tamil Nadu and extended to include Southeast Asian territories at its height.
The Vardhan Dynasty was under the control of Harsha in most of north India
The Kakatiya Dynasty ruled in Andhra Pradesh in the Early Medieval Period and it was a Telugu dynasty that ruled from 1083 to 1323 CE.
Did You Know?
There is a popular story about Alexander who was from Macedonia in Europe. He was desired to conquer the world. To fulfill his desires he came to India and reached the banks of river Beas to march eastwards but his army refused since they had heard about the powerful Nanda Empire of Magadha with vast armies of foot soldiers and elephants.
Hence the history of kings and kingdoms of early times and the early medieval period is very interesting. We have learned about how janapadas evolved as Mahajanapas and understand the tax system and agricultural changes during that period. This history is often asked in the examination hence it is very useful for the students.
FAQs on Kings and Kingdoms of Early Times
1. What was the Ashvamedha yajna, and what was its significance for an aspiring king in ancient India?
The Ashvamedha yajna, or horse sacrifice, was a crucial royal ritual performed by ancient kings to prove their power and sovereignty. In this ceremony, a special horse was let loose to wander freely for a year, guarded by the king's soldiers. If the horse entered another kingdom and was stopped, the two kings had to fight. If it was allowed to pass, it signified that the other ruler accepted the authority of the king performing the sacrifice. Successful completion of the yajna established the king as a 'raja' of immense power and influence.
2. For a 3-mark question, explain three key features of the Mahajanapadas.
Three important features of the Mahajanapadas, which were powerful kingdoms that emerged around 2500 years ago, are:
- Fortified Capitals: Most Mahajanapadas had a capital city, which was often heavily fortified with large walls of wood, brick, or stone for protection from other kings.
- Standing Armies: Rulers began maintaining regular armies and paid them salaries, instead of depending on local militias. This allowed for greater control and expansion.
- Systematic Taxation: To fund their large armies and fortification projects, rulers implemented a system of regular taxes, such as the 'bhaga', which was typically 1/6th of the agricultural produce.
3. How did the varna system, as prescribed by priests, define the roles of different groups in society?
The varna system was a social hierarchy that divided people into four groups based on their prescribed functions. Brahmins were at the top, expected to study and teach the Vedas, perform sacrifices, and receive gifts. Second were the Kshatriyas, who were the rulers and warriors, expected to fight battles and protect people. Third were the Vaishyas, who were farmers, herders, and traders. At the bottom were the Shudras, who were assigned the duty of serving the other three groups. This system was rigid and determined a person's role by birth.
4. Why was the development of the iron ploughshare considered a major turning point for agriculture in the Mahajanapada period?
The introduction of the iron ploughshare was a significant advancement because it allowed for a major increase in agricultural productivity. Unlike wooden ploughshares, the heavier and stronger iron tips could easily turn over heavy, clayey soil. This led to more land being brought under cultivation and higher yields of grain. The resulting food surplus was crucial for supporting large populations, growing cities, and maintaining the standing armies of the Mahajanapadas.
5. What were the main reasons behind the rise of Magadha as the most powerful Mahajanapada?
Magadha's emergence as the most powerful Mahajanapada can be attributed to several key factors:
- Geographical Advantages: Rivers like the Ganga and Son provided water, fertile soil for agriculture, and a means of cheap transport.
- Natural Resources: The region had rich iron ore deposits, which were used to make strong tools and weapons. Elephants, crucial for the army, were found in nearby forests.
- Powerful Rulers: Magadha was led by very ambitious and powerful kings like Bimbisara and Ajatasattu, who used all means possible to conquer other janapadas.
6. How was the system of governance in a 'gana' or 'sangha' like Vajji different from a monarchy?
The governance in a 'gana' or 'sangha' was fundamentally different from a monarchy. In a monarchy, like Magadha, a single, powerful king held supreme authority, and the position was usually hereditary. In contrast, a 'gana' or 'sangha' like Vajji was not ruled by a single person. Instead, it was governed by a group of rulers, sometimes even thousands, who were all called 'rajas'. These rajas met in assemblies to make decisions collectively through discussion and debate, representing a form of early republican or oligarchic rule.
7. What were the main sources of tax collected by the rulers of the Mahajanapadas to manage their kingdoms?
Rulers of the Mahajanapadas collected taxes from various sections of the population to build forts and maintain armies. The main sources were:
- A tax on crops called 'bhaga', fixed at 1/6th of what was produced.
- Taxes on craftspersons, who often had to work for the king for one day every month.
- Herders were taxed in the form of animals and animal produce.
- Taxes were also levied on goods that were bought and sold through trade.
- Hunter-gatherers had to provide forest produce like timber, honey, and wax to the raja.
