New Beginnings Cities and States Class 7 Notes

New Beginnings Cities and States Class 7 Notes

New Beginnings Cities and States Class 7 Notes

1. Second Urbanisation: A phase of urban development in India during the 1st millennium BCE, marked by the emergence of new cities and states.

2. Janapada: A territory or region in ancient India associated with a specific clan or group, led by a ruler.

3. Mahajanapada: Larger political units formed by the merging of several janapadas, prominent in ancient India.

4. Raja : A ruler or king in ancient Indian society, often hereditary.

5. Sabha: An assembly or council in ancient Indian society where matters concerning the clan were discussed.

6. Samiti: A council or assembly in ancient India, similar to a sabha, involved in decision-making.

7. Gana: A term used to describe certain mahajanapadas with democratic elements, where assemblies had significant power.

8. Varna: A classification system in ancient India dividing society into four groups based on occupation and duties.

9. Jati: A community or group in Indian society associated with a specific occupation, often hereditary.

10. Punch-marked coins: The first coins used in India, made of silver and marked with symbols.

11. Iron metallurgy: The technology of extracting and shaping iron, which became widespread in India during the Second Urbanisation.

12. Moat: A deep, wide ditch surrounding a fort or city, often filled with water, for defence.

13. Political System and Governance

1. Janapada had assemblies called Sabha and Samiti
2. Raja had to take advice from Sabha/Samiti
3. Sabha/Samiti could remove raja
4. During Mahajanapada age, most kings had inherited rights
5. Kings collected taxes, maintained big armies and took care of law and order (in powerful kingdoms like Magadh, Kosala, Avanti)
6. In Vajji and Malla, still there were Sabha and Samiti

14. New Cities/Kingdoms

1. New lateral roads - Important for trade/connectivity
2. Rise of new cities in South ( 400 BCE)
3. Shishupalgarh (Odisha), emerging city
4. Rise of Chola, Chera and Pandyas

15. Trade and Trade Routes

1. Two major trade routes Uttarapatha and Dakshinapatha
2. Uttarapatha (Northwest to Ganga plains)
3. Dakshinapatha (Kaushambi Vindhya Range - South)
4. Promoted trade, pilgrimage, culture, military campaigns

16. Second Urbanisation

1. In Indus basin, Ganga plains, during 1st millennium BCE
2. Regional cultures organised into janapadas
3. Janapadas evolved into Mahajanapadas due to agriculture and trade networks
4. 16 mahajanapadas, Magadh, Kosala, Vatsa and Avanti more powerful

17. Trade/Cultural Exchange

1. Tamil literature - Kingdoms and rulers
2. Rich in resources - Gold, stones, spices
3. Subcontinent fully interconnected (300-200 BCE)
4. Mahajanapadas ceased to exist

18. Changes and Innovations

1. Rise of Vedic, Buddhist and Jain philosophies
2. Technological advancement, iron metallurgy
3. Iron tools and weapons helped in wars
4. Punch-marked coins (made of silver)

19. Varna-Jati System

Complex Societies and Social

Division

1. Social groups based on class, occupation
2. Jati was occupation based
3. Varna (Vedic social class)
4. Four varnas - Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaisya, Shudra)

Concept of Caste

1. Initially based on profession
2. Later became rigid (birth based)
3. Gave rise to inequality

20. First Urbanisation

1. In Harappa, during 2nd millennium BCE
2. Cities with urban structures, markets and administration
3. Urban cities abandoned, but rural lifestyle existed