Class 12 History - Themes in Indian History - I - Chapter Kings, Farmers and Towns NCERT Solutions | How do historians reconstruct the lives

Describe the salient features of mahajanapadas.

This is a statement made by one of the best-known epigraphists of the twentieth century, D.C. Sircar: “There is no aspect of life, culture and activities of the Indians that is not reflected in inscriptions.” Discuss.

List some of the problems faced by epigraphists.

Discuss the notions of kingship that developed in the post-Mauryan period.

Discuss the evidence of craft production in Early Historic cities. In what ways is this different from the evidence from Harappan cities?

To what extent were agricultural practices transformed in the period under consideration?

Discuss the main features of Mauryan administration. Which of these elements are evident in the Asokan inscriptions that you have studied?

Compare and contrast the list of things given to the Pandyan chief (Source 3) with those produced in the village of Danguna (Source 8). Do you notice any similarities or differences?

List the items of food available to people in Harappan cities. Identify the groups who would have provided these.

Explain why patriliny may have been particularly important among elite families.

Were the ideas of the Upanishadic thinkers different from those of the fatalists and materialists? Give reasons for your answer.

How do archaeologists trace socio-economic differences in Harappan society? What are the differences that they notice?

Discuss whether kings in early states were invariably Kshatriyas.

Summarise the central teachings of Jainism.

Would you agree that the drainage system in Harappan cities indicates town planning? Give reasons for your answer.

Compare and contrast the dharma or norms mentioned in the stories of Drona, Hidimba and Matanga.

Discuss the role of the begums of Bhopal in preserving the stupa at Sanchi.

List the materials used to make beads in the Harappan civilisation. Describe the process by which any one kind of bead was made.

Look at Fig. 1.30 and describe what you see. How is the body placed? What are the objects placed near it? Are there any artefacts on the body? Do these indicate the sex of the skeleton?

Describe some of the distinctive features of Mohenjodaro.

Would you agree that the drainage system in Harappan cities indicates town planning? Give reasons for your answer.

How do archaeologists trace socio-economic differences in Harappan society? What are the differences that they notice?

Read this short inscription and answer:

In the year 33 of the maharaja Huvishka (a Kushana ruler), in the first month of the hot season on the eighth day, a Bodhisatta was set up at Madhuvanaka by the bhikkhuni Dhanavati, the sister’s daughter of the bhikkhuni Buddhamita, who knows the Tipitaka, the female pupil of the bhikkhu Bala, who knows the Tipitaka, together with her father and mother.

(a) How did Dhanavati date her inscription?
(b) Why do you think she installed an image of the Bodhisatta?
(c) Who were the relatives she mentioned?
(d) What Buddhist text did she know?
(e) From whom did she learn this text?

Discuss the role of the begums of Bhopal in preserving the stupa at Sanchi.

Discuss whether kings in early states were invariably Kshatriyas.

Compare and contrast the dharma or norms mentioned in the stories of Drona, Hidimba and Matanga.

Explain why patriliny may have been particularly important among elite families.

Discuss how archaeologists reconstruct the past.