1.
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 organized the sacrifice was recognized as being very powerful, and all those who came brought gifts for him.
2.
Taxes on crops were the most important. This was because most people were farmers. Usually, the tax was fixed at 1/6th of what was produced. This was
known as bhaga or a share.
3.
The priests said that these groups were decided on the basis of birth. For example, if one’s father and mother were brahmins one would automatically become a brahmin, and so on.
4.
Both the Buddha and Mahavira belonged to ganas or sanghas.
5.
Option A
6.
Option A
7.
There were taxes on crafts persons as well. These could have been in the form of labour. For example, a weaver or a smith may have had to work for a day every month for the king.
8.
As the Vajjis met frequently, in full assemblies then they would continue
to prosper as long as:
• They held full and frequent public assemblies.
• They met and acted together.
• They followed established rules.
• They respected, supported and listened to elders.
• Vajji women were not held by force or captured.
• Chaityas (local shrines) were maintained in both towns and villages.
• Wise saints who followed different beliefs were respected and allowed to enter and leave the country freely.
9.
Some people, those who were regarded as shudras by the priests, were excluded from many rituals.
10.
Option A
11.
Digha Nikaya, is a famous Buddhist book, which contains some of the speeches of the Buddha. These were written down about 2300 years ago.
12.
There were also taxes on goods that were bought and sold, through trade.
13.
Around 3000 years ago, we find some changes taking place in the ways in which rajas were chosen. Some men now became recognized as rajas by performing very big sacrifices.
14.
The other rajas who came to attend the rituals brought gift for the Raja organizing the Ashvamedha and also the ordinary people, the vish or
vaishya, also brought gifts for their Raja.
15.
These include the Samaveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda.
16.
People of various Janapadas made earthen pots. Some of these were grey in colour, others were red. One special type of pottery found at these sites is known as Painted Grey Ware. As is obvious from the name, these grey pots had painted designs, usually simple lines and geometric patterns.
17.
Women, dasas and kammakaras could not participate in these assemblies.
18.
Books that were composed in north India, especially in the areas drained by the Ganga and the Yamuna. These books are often called later Vedic, because they were composed after the Rigveda.
19.
Brahmins, kshatriyas, Vaishyas and shudras.
20.
About 2500 years ago, some janapadas became more important than others, and were known as mahajanapadas.
