NCERT Class 6 History Kingdoms Kings And An Early Republic

CHAPTER 6

KINGDOMS, KINGS AND AN EARLY REPUBLIC

Election day

Shankaran woke up to see his grandparents all ready to go and vote. They wanted to be the first to reach the polling booth. Why, Shankaran wanted to know, were they so excited? Somewhat impatiently, his grandfather explained: “We can choose our own rulers today.”

How some men became rulers

Choosing leaders or rulers by voting is something that has become common during the last fifty years or so. How did men become rulers in the past? Some of the rajas we read about in Chapter 5 were probably chosen by the jana, the people. But, around 3000 years ago, we find some changes taking place in the ways in which rajas were chosen. Some men now became recognised as rajas by performing very big sacrifices.

The ashvamedha or horse sacrifice was one such ritual. A horse was let loose to wander freely and it was guarded by the raja’s men. If the horse wandered into the kingdoms of other rajas and they stopped it, they had to fight. If they allowed the horse to pass, it meant that they accepted that the raja who wanted to perform the sacrifice was stronger than them. These rajas were then invited to the sacrifice, which was performed by specially trained priests, who were rewarded with gifts. The raja who organised the sacrifice was recognised as being very powerful, and all those who came brought gifts for him.

The raja was a central figure in these rituals. He often had a special seat, a throne or a tiger skin. His charioteer, who was his companion in the battle field and witnessed his exploits, chanted tales of his glory. His relatives, especially his wives and sons, had to perform a variety ofminor rituals. The other rajas were simply spectators who had to sit and watch the performance of the sacrifice. Priests performed the rituals including the sprinkling of sacred water on the king. The ordinary people, the vish or vaishya, also brought gifts. However, some people, such as those who were regarded as shudras by the priests, were excluded from many rituals. 

Make a list of all those who would be present at the sacrifice. Which are the categories that are described in terms of their occupation?

Let’s recall

1. State whether true or false:

(a) Rajas who let the ashvamedha horse pass through their lands were invited to the sacrifice.

(b) The charioteer sprinkled sacred water on the king.

(c) Archaeologists have found palaces in the settlements of the janapadas.

(d) Pots to store grain were made out of Painted Grey Ware.

(e) Many cities in mahajanapadas were fortified

2. Who were the groups who could not participate in the assemblies of the ganas?

Let’s discuss

3. Why did the rajas of mahajanapadas build forts?

4. In what ways are present-day elections different from the ways in which rulers were chosen in janapadas?

Please refer to attached file for NCERT Class 6 History Kingdoms, Kings And An Early Republic