New-Beginnings-Cities-and-States.pdf7th class/social exploring society India and beyond/by k sandeep swamy

New-Beginnings-Cities-and-States.pdf7th class/social exploring society India and beyond/by k sandeep swamy

• 1.
  New Beginnings: Citiesand States Understanding the Weather 7th class Social Exploring society India and beyond By:K Sandeep Swamy(M.Sc,B.Ed) For Online Classes (IITJEE & NEET foundation and academics) contact : 9491878325 A journey through India's Second Urbanisation, exploring how ancient janapadas and mahjanapadas shaped the political, social, and economic landscape of the subcontinent from the 1st millennium BCE onwards.
• 2.
  Agenda 01 The Second Urbanisation Understandingthe revival of urban life in India after the Harappan decline 02 Janapadas and Mahjanapadas Exploring the emergence of early states and their governance systems 03 Innovations and Social Structure Examining technological advances and the var_a-jti system 04 Pan-Indian Developments Tracing the spread of urbanisation across the subcontinent We'll explore these key questions: What is meant by 'Second Urbanisation of India'? Why were the janapadas and mahjanapadas important? What kind of governance systems did they evolve?
• 3.
  The Decline ofthe First Urbanisation In the early 2nd millennium BCE (after 2000 BCE), the Indus/Harappan/Sindhu-Sarasvat+ civilisation4India's 'First Urbanisation'4disintegrated. This led to: Abandonment of major cities Reversion to rural or village lifestyle Disappearance of urban components: elaborate structures, specialised occupations, writing system, sanitation, administration Absence of urban life for nearly a millennium During this period, important regional cultures continued to develop across north India, though urban centres were largely absent.
• 4.
  The Second Urbanisation:A New Beginning In the 1st millennium BCE, a vibrant new phase of urbanisation began in the Ganga plains, parts of the Indus basin, and neighbouring regions. This phase, known as India's 'Second Urbanisation', has continued right up to today! How do we know about this period? Archaeological Evidence Excavations have confirmed the existence of ancient urban centres from this period Literary Sources Late Vedic, Buddhist and Jain literatures contain numerous references to these new urban centres
• 5.
  Rise of theJanapadas Towards the end of the 2nd millennium BCE, regional cultures gradually reorganised themselves in north India: People formed clans or groups sharing common language and customs Each clan became associated with a territory or janapada Each janapada was led by a rj or ruler Janapada means where the people (jana) have set foot (pada), or where they have settled down. Janapadas grew as trade networks expanded and connected them, laying the foundation for larger political entities.
• 6.
  The Sixteen Mahjanapadas Bythe 8th-7th centuries BCE, some janapadas had merged together, forming larger political units known as mahjanapadas. The most common list mentions 16 mahjanapadas, extending from: Gandhra in the northwest Anga in the east A[hmaka in central India (near the Godavari River) The most powerful of these states were Magadha, Kosala, Vatsa and Avanti. Many of their capitals continue to be living cities today4'modern' cities that are often 2,500 years old!
• 7.
  Concentration in theGanga Plains Why were so many mahjanapadas concentrated in the Ganga plains? Growth of agriculture in the fertile Ganga plains Availability of iron ore in the mountains and hills Formation of new trade networks Abundant water resources for agriculture and transportation These factors created ideal conditions for the development of urban centres and the growth of powerful states in this region.
• 8.
  Urban Features of MahjanapadaCapitals Fortifications Strong walls surrounding the city for defence and control Moats Deep, wide ditches filled with water running outside the fortifications Narrow Gateways Deliberately kept narrow to control movement of people and goods Planned Layout Organised streets and designated areas for different activities These urban features reflect the sophisticated planning and administrative capabilities of the mahjanapadas.
• 9.
  Governance in the Mahjanapadas MonarchicalSystem Rj was the ultimate authority Position was typically hereditary Supported by ministers and an assembly of elders Collected taxes, maintained law and order Built fortifications and maintained armies Examples: Magadha, Kosala, Avanti Republican System (Ga_as or Sanghas) Sabh or samiti (assembly) held more power Decisions taken through discussion and voting Rj selected by the assembly Considered among the earliest republics in world history Examples: Vajji (V_ijji) and Malla
• 10.
  Early Democratic Traditions 1 VedicPeriod Words like sabh and samiti first appear in the Vedas, indicating early forms of assemblies 2 Janapada Period Each janapada had an assembly where matters concerning the clan would be discussed 3 Mahjanapada Period Some mahjanapadas evolved into ga_as or sanghas with more democratic features 4 Legacy These early democratic traditions influenced later political systems in India According to some texts, an incompetent ruler could be removed by the assembly, showing a form of accountability in governance even in ancient times.
• 11.
  The Age ofInnovations: Iron Technology A major technological shift during the Second Urbanisation involved iron metallurgy: Techniques of extracting and shaping iron were perfected from the early 2nd millennium BCE By the late 2nd millennium BCE, iron tools had become widespread Iron facilitated agriculture on a bigger scale Iron weapons were better than bronze4lighter and sharper This technological advancement played a crucial role in the rise of the mahjanapadas and later kingdoms and empires.
• 12.
  The First IndianCoins Punch-Marked Coins First use of coins in India, made necessary by growing trade Initially made of silver, a soft metal into which symbols could be 'punched' Later, coins of copper, gold and other metals were also made Each mahjanapada typically issued its own coins Coins from neighbouring regions were used and exchanged in trade The introduction of coins revolutionised trade and economic activities, facilitating exchanges across different regions and even with other parts of the world.
• 13.
  The Var_a System Thevar_a concept emerged from Vedic texts and represented an ideal division of society based on functions and responsibilities. Brahmins Engaged in preserving and spreading knowledge, and in the performance of rituals Kshatriyas Expected to defend the society and the land, and to engage in warfare if necessary Vaishyas Supposed to increase society's wealth through trade, business or agriculture Shudras The artisans, craftspeople, workers or servants
• 14.
  The Jti System Alongsidevar_a, Indian society was organised into jtis: Groups or communities with specific professional occupations Skills defining a jti were generally transmitted from generation to generation Often subdivided into sub-jtis with their own customs and traditions Customs could include marriage practices, rituals, or food habits In the early period, there is evidence that individuals and communities changed their professional occupations if circumstances demanded.
• 15.
  Evolution of theVar_a-Jti System 1 Early Period More flexible system with mobility between occupations and social groups 2 Middle Period Gradual rigidification of the system with less mobility 3 Later Period System becomes more rigid, leading to inequalities and discrimination 4 British Period Further rigidification under British rule through administrative categorisation The var_a-jti system has had a deep impact on Indian society, though it is not the only social mechanism at work. The system provided stability but also created hierarchies that persisted over time.
• 16.
  Social Complexity inUrban Centres As human societies grew more complex with urbanisation, they organised themselves into several groups based on class, occupation or other criteria: Governance Rulers, ministers, and administrators Religion Priests, monks, and religious teachers Commerce Traders, merchants, and bankers Crafts Artisans, craftspeople, and skilled workers
• 17.
  Major Trade Routes Uttarapatha Connectedthe northwest regions to the Ganga plains Extended all the way to eastern India Major route for trade, pilgrimage, and military campaigns Dakhi_apatha Started from Kau[hmb+ (near Prayagraj) Crossed the Vindhya Range of hills Proceeded all the way south Many lateral roads connected with other parts of India, especially important ports on the western and eastern coasts, which were vibrant centres of trade.
• 18.
  Urban Centres inEastern India In the eastern region, major cities emerged with sophisticated urban planning: [hi[hupalgarh (Sisupalgarh) Capital of the Kalinga region, now part of Bhubaneswar Followed a strict square ground plan Had imposing fortifications and broad streets Other Eastern Centres Connected to trade networks extending to Southeast Asia Served as cultural and economic hubs Facilitated the spread of Buddhism and other ideas
• 19.
  Urbanisation in SouthernIndia In the southern regions of the subcontinent: Cities began emerging from about 400 BCE Recent excavations suggest earlier commercial activities Three major kingdoms emerged: Cholas, Cheras, and Pnyas Ancient Tamil literature mentions these kingdoms and their kings Rich resources (precious stones, gold, spices) enabled profitable trade Southern regions traded not only with the rest of India but also with kingdoms and empires overseas, establishing early maritime connections.
• 20.
  A Connected Subcontinent By300-200 BCE, almost the entire subcontinent, including regions in the Northeast, was one vibrant interconnected land, setting the stage for the rise of empires. Trade Networks Extensive routes connecting all regions of India Cultural Exchange Ideas, texts, and teachings travelled across regions Economic Integration Goods and currencies exchanged throughout the subcontinent Religious Spread Buddhism, Jainism, and other traditions expanded along trade routes International Connections Links to Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and beyond
• 21.
  Comparing First andSecond Urbanisation Features First Urbanisation Second Urbanisation Time Period c. 2600-1900 BCE c. 800 BCE onwards Geographic Focus Indus Valley Ganga Plains, then pan-India Metal Technology Copper/Bronze Iron Writing System Indus Script (undeciphered) Brahmi, Kharosthi Religious Structures Great Bath, possible temples Monasteries, stupas Literature Limited evidence Abundant (Vedic, Buddhist, Jain) Trade Networks Regional, some international Extensive pan-Indian and international The Second Urbanisation was more extensive, longer-lasting, and had a more profound impact on Indian civilisation.
• 22.
  Ideal Kingdom Accordingto Kauilya The kingdom shall be protected by fortifying the capital and the towns at the frontiers. The land should not only be capable of sustaining the population but also outsiders in times of calamities. ... It should be beautiful, being endowed with cultivable land, mines, timber forests, elephant forests, and good pastures rich in cattle. It should not depend [only] on rain for water. It should have good roads and waterways. It should have a productive economy, with a wide variety of commodities . 3 Kauilya, Artha[hstra
• 23.
  Timeline: From Declineto New Beginnings 1 c. 1900 BCE Decline of Harappan Civilisation (First Urbanisation) 2 c. 1000-800 BCE Emergence of regional cultures and early janapadas 3 c. 800-600 BCE Formation of mahjanapadas and beginning of Second Urbanisation 4 c. 400-300 BCE Rise of southern kingdoms and pan-Indian connections 5 c. 300 BCE Decline of mahjanapadas, setting stage for imperial formations
• 24.
  Legacy of theMahjanapadas Political Systems Established governance models that influenced later kingdoms and empires Urban Planning Created templates for city design that continued for centuries Economic Networks Developed trade routes and economic systems that integrated the subcontinent Cultural Foundation Provided the context for philosophical and religious developments The mahjanapada period laid the groundwork for India's political, economic, and cultural development for centuries to come, with many of their capitals continuing as important cities today.
• 25.
  Key Takeaways Second Urbanisation Beganin the 1st millennium BCE in the Ganga plains Spread across the subcontinent by 300-200 BCE Continues to the present day Janapadas and Mahjanapadas First organised states of the 1st millennium BCE Developed diverse governance systems, including early republics Created the foundation for later empires Innovations Iron technology revolutionised agriculture and warfare Introduction of coins transformed trade Development of the var_a-jti social system Connections Extensive road networks linked all regions Trade routes facilitated exchange of goods and ideas Cultural and economic integration across the subcontinent The period of janapadas and mahjanapadas represents a crucial transition in Indian history, laying the foundation for the rich and diverse civilisation that would flourish in subsequent centuries.