Q13 of 18 Page 1

Explain the system of land grants and trade from C. 600 BCE to 600 CE.

OR


Explain any four sources to reconstruct the history of Mauryas. Examine the system of Mauryan administration.

The inscriptions on stones and copper plates are the main source of information to know about the system of land grants and trade from C.600 BCE to 600 CE.


Land Grants:


1. Grants were made to religious institutions and Samantas.


2. Brahmans were given Agrahara grants.


3. The system of giving land as grants was adopted as a strategic tool to extend Brahmanical practices and to provide scope for the expansion of agriculture.


4. The kings wanted to make allies as the weakening of the powers was evident.


Trade Practices:


1. Both Inland and overseas trade flourished.


2. Inland trade developed within the country whereas trade relations were established with Central and West Asia and Northern Africa.


3. Inland trade was done through the rivers.


4. Merchants used caravans and bullock cart while the peddlers travelled on foot to carry on their business.


5. Salt, timber, cloth, spices and medicinal plants were some of the items that were traded.


6. Punch marked coins were introduced to facilitate trade.


7. The texts written in Tamil and Pali provide us with enough information on the trade practices during the period.


The social and economic life of the people can be understood from the inscriptions and manuscripts.


OR


The Mauryan administration was praise-worthy.


The following are the sources to reconstruct the history of Mauryas.


a. Arthasastra written by Kautilya is the primary source of information about the Mauryas.


b. The Greek Ambassador, Megasthenes, who was in the court of Chandragupta Maurya wrote a book called Indica which is one of the valuable source of information of the Mauryan empire.


c. The archaeological evidences which are found on the palace walls of Pataliputra.


d. Buddhist, Jaina and Puranic literature also gives us details.


e. The pillar inscriptions and rock edicts also give us information about the Mauryan history.


Mauryan administration:


1. Pataliputra was the capital of the Mauryas.


2. There were four provincial centres- Taxila, Ujjain, Tosali and Suvarnagiri.


3. The four provinces and the capital were well administered.


4. Taxila and Ujjain were on the important trade routes.


5. Suvarnagiri played a pivotal role in tapping Karnataka’s gold reserves.


6. The functioning of the military was administered by a committee.


7. Six sub committees were appointed to look after the functions of the navy, transport and provisions, foot soldiers, horses, chariots and elephants respectively.


Thus, the provincial administration of the Mauryas was commendable.


More from this chapter

All 18 →
11

“There was more to rural India than the sedentary agriculture.” Explain the statement in the context of Mughal Period.

OR


“Inspite of the limitations, the Ain-i-Akbari remains an extra ordinary document of its time.” Explain.

 12

Analyse the distinctive aspects of the oral testimonies to understand the history of the partition of the British India.

OR


Examine the various events that led to the partition of British India.

 14

Read the following excerpt carefully and answer the questions that follow:

A Tiger – Like Husband


This is a summary of a story from the Adi Parvan of the Mahabharatha:


The Pandavas had fled into the forest. They were tired and fell asleep; only Bhima, the Second Pandava, renowned for his prowess, was keeping watch. A man-eating Rakshasa caught the scent of the Pandavas and sent his sister Hidimba to capture them. She fell in love with Bhima, transformed herself into a lovely maiden and proposed to him. He refused. Meanwhile, the Rakshasa arrived and challenged Bhima to a wrestling match. Bhima accepted the challenge and killed him. The others woke up hearing the noise. Hidimba introduced herself, and declared the love for Bhima. She told Kunti; “I have forsaken my friends, my dharma and my kin; a good lady, chosen your tiger-like son for my man….whether you think me a fool, or your devoted servant, let me join you, great lady, with your son as my husband.”


Ultimately, Yudhishtra agreed to the marriage on condition that they would spend the day together but that Bhima would return every night. The couple roamed all over the world during the day. In due course, Hidimba gave birth to a Rakshasa boy named Ghatotkacha. Then the mother and son left the Pandavas. Ghatotkacha promised to return to the Pandavas whenever they needed him.


Some historian suggest that the term rakshasa is used to describe people whose practices differed from those laid down in the Brahmanical texts.


(i) How did the story from Adi Parvan play an important role in shaping the values and ethos of the society?


(ii) How was this story a unique example of exogamy?


(iii) How did Hidimba and Yudhishtra interpret dharma in their context?

 15

Read the following excerpt carefully and answer the questions that follow:

The Accessible Emperor


In the account of his experiences, Monserrate, who was the member of the first Jesuit mission, says: It is hard to exaggerate how accessible he (Akbar) makes himself to all who wish audience of him. For he creates an opportunity almost every day for any of the common people or of the nobles to see him and to converse with him; and he endeavours to show himself pleasant-spoken and affable rather than severe towards all who come to speak with him. It is very remarkable how great an effect this courtesy and affability has in attaching him to the minds of his subjects.


(i) Who were Jesuits? How did they establish their network in India?


(ii) How did Monserrate accord his experience about Akbar?


(iii) How had Akbar’s courtesy brought affability for his subjects? Explain.