Janapadas


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Janapadas

Janapadas: The powerful kings who performed big sacrifices and later ruled larger territories termed as janapadas.The term "Janapada" literally means 'Foothold of a tribe'. A janapada could be a republic like Vajji or a monarchy like Magadha.

Janapadas: The Aryans cleared the thick forest of the Indo-Gangnetic plains with the help of iron tools and bought more land under cultivation.As they started leading settled lives as cultivators,their settlements became permanent.Each of these settlements usually consisted of a single jana or tribe.These tribal settlements were the first states .They were called janapadas. The janapadas were ruled by rajans or chiefs.

The rajas that performed these big sacrifices were now recognised as being rajas of janapadas rather than janas. The word janapadas literally means the land where the jana set its foot, and settled down. Archaeologists have excavated a number of settlements in these janapadas, such as purana qila in Delhi, Hastinapura near Meerut, and Atranjikhera, near Etah (the last two are in Uttar Pradesh). They found that people lived in huts, kept cattle as well as other animals. They also grew a variety of crops – rice, wheat, barley, pulses, sugarcane, sesame and mustard.

They 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 designs, usually simple lines and geometric patterns.

Sample Questions
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Question : 1

Name the special type of pottery found at Janapadas.

Right Option : B
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Question : 2

What is meant by janapadas ?

Right Option : A
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