IGNOU HISTORY NOTES : India Earliest Times to the 8th Century A.D - Janapadas and the Mahajanapadas

IGNOU HISTORY Study Notes for IAS, UPSC Exams

India Earliest Times to the 8th Century A.D

Janapadas and the Mahajanapadas

Structure

14.0 Objectives
14.1 Introduction
14.2 The Vedic Age and the Sixth Century B.C.
14.3 Our Sources of Information
14.4 Units of Settlement-] : The Janapada
14.5 Emergence of New Groups
14.5.1 Gahapati
14.5.2 Merchants
14.5.3 Ruler and the Ruled
14.6 Units of Setdement-11: The Mahajanapada
14.6.1 The Story of Jivaka
14.6.2 Villages
14.6.3 Towns and Cities
14.7 The Sixteen Mahajanapadas
14.8 Let Us Sum Up
14.9 Key Words
14.10 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises

14.0 OBJECTIVES

After reading this Unit you will be able to:

distinguish between the society of the sixth century B.C. and that of the earlier period,
learn about the emergence of new groups in the society during the sixth century B.C., and
get a detailed information about the various Janapadas and Mahajanapadas which came into prominence.

14.1 INTRODUCTION

You must have observed this fact that people around you speak the same language. Not only
this, the entire region seems to celebrate the same festivals. The people of the entire region
tend to have similarities in their marriage customs too. The fwd they cook win also be
similar. How did areas having cultural homogeneity come into existence? The beginnings of
this process go back to the emergence of Janapadas. The emergence of Janapadas signified
the birth of geography in Indian history. Remember, when we discussed the Vedic society
we did not talk abdut specific geographical regions. That was because people were not
attached to any area. With the settlements of agriculturists coming up, the settlers
formed enduring ties with their surrounding landscape. They observed the hills and rivers,
birds and animals and fruits that were found in that area. Not only this, this was the time
when they learnt to call a particular geographical space as their own. This geographical
space was separated from those of the other communities (Janapadas) who might be friendly
or hostile to them. These Janapadas characterised by cohesion inside and separation from the
outside world, proved to be a seminal development in ancient India. These units or
Janapadas became the centres for the development of uniform language. customs and
beliefs.

14.2 THE VEDIC AGE AND THE SIXTH CENTURY B.C.

When we talk about Janapadas, we have to refer to a number of things associated with the
emergence of the Janapadas. Since the Janapadas are known from ahut the sixth century
B.C.. we can say that in the regions in which the Janapadas of this period are found. many