To what extent were agricultural practices transformed in the period under consideration?
The demand for taxes increased in the post 600 BC. In order to meet the demand of excessive taxes, without taking lesser produce, forced the farmers to increase productivity. This resulted in the use of new tools and practices of agriculture. The important ones are as follows:
1.Use of plough: Ploughs became commonplace. They were hardly heard of in the past. The use of ploughs began in the Ganga and Cauvery basins. In places where rain was abundant, the plough was used with iron tip. This increased the paddy production manifold.
2. Use of spade: Another tool that changed the system of agriculture is spade. Those farmers who lived in the areas of harsh land used spade.
3. Artificial Irrigation: Apart from rainfall, the farmers now began to look at artificial forms of irrigation. This prompted farmers to build wells, ponds, and – canals often collectively. This increased agricultural production. The production increased due to new technology and tools. This created a new strata in the society. In the Buddhist literature, there is a description of small and big farmers. They were called Grihpatis. Similar description is given in the Tamil literature too. The position of village head was often hereditary. In such a situation the ownership of land became very important.
How do historians reconstruct the lives of ordinary people?
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.
Discuss the notions of kingship that developed in the post-Mauryan period.
List some of the problems faced by epigraphists.
Discuss the evidence of craft production in Early Historic cities. In what ways is this different from the evidence from Harappan cities?
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.
Discuss the development in sculpture and architecture associated with the rise of Vaishnavism and Shaivism.
How important were gender differences in early societies? Give reasons for your answer.
Discuss how and why stupas were built.
Discuss how archaeologists reconstruct the past.
Discuss the functions that may have been performed by rulers in Harappan society.
Discuss whether kings in early states were invariably Kshatriyas.
List the items of food available to people in Harappan cities. Identify the groups who would have provided these.
On Map 1, use a pencil to circle sites where evidence of agriculture has been recovered. Mark an X against sites where there is evidence of craft production and R against sites where raw materials were found.
Discuss the role of the begums of Bhopal in preserving the stupa at Sanchi.
This is what a famous historian of Indian literature, Maurice Winternitz, wrote about the Mahabharata: “just because the Mahabharata represents more of an entire literature ... and contains so much and so many kinds of things, … (it) gives(s) us an insight into the most profound depths of the soul of the Indian folk.” Discuss.