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Kings, Farmers And Towns
Discuss about development of new technologies in agriculture in Indian subcontinent from 6th century BCE to 400 A.D.
New Technologies in Agriculture:
(i) Agriculture in the subcontinent has a long and diverse history, evident in the archaeological record. From the sixth century BCE, we can trace certain developments that had a long-term significance in some parts of the subcontinent. One was the growing spread of plough agriculture in fertile alluvial river valleys such as those of the Ganga and the Kaveri.
(ii) The iron-tipped ploughshare in particular led to a growth in productivity as it allowed the farmer to turn the soil very effectively.
(iii) Use of spade on the hilly terrain drastically improved the production of the crops.
(iv) In some parts of the Ganga Valley, production of paddy was dramatically increased by the introduction of transplantation, although this meant backbreaking work for the producer. This ensures the survival of many more plants, and higher yields.
(v) During the first millennium CE plough agriculture spread to other parts of the subcontinent as well. It is, however, important to remember that plough agriculture was no uniformly or automatically beneficial. It was not suited to hilly terrains, and was most effective in alluvial soils.
(vi) Another strategy adopted to increase agricultural production was the use of irrigation, using wells and tanks, and less commonly, canals. Construction was organised by communities as well as by individuals. The latter, usually powerful men including kings often recorded such activities in inscriptions.
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This is a statement made by one of the best-known epigraphists of the twentieth century, D.C. Sircar: “There is no aspect of life, culture and activities of the Indians that is not reflected in inscriptions”. Discuss.
Discuss the notions of kingship that developed in the post-Mauryan period.
To what extent were agricultural practices transformed in the period under consideration?
Compare Maps 1 and 2, and list the Mahajanapadas that may have been included in the Mauryan Empire. Are any Asokan inscriptions found in these areas?
Collect newspapers for one month. Cut and paste all the statements made by government officials about public works. Note what the reports say about the resources required for such projects, how the resources are mobilised and the objective of the project. Who issues these statements, and how and why are they communicated? Compare and contrast these with the evidence from inscriptions discussed in this chapter. What are the similarities and differences that you notice.
Collect five different kinds of currency notes and coins in circulation today. For each one of these, describe what you see on the observe and the reverse (the front and the back). Prepare a report on the common features as well as the differences in terms of pictures, scripts and languages, size, shape and any other element that you find significant. Compare these with the coins shown in this chapter, discussing the materials used, the techniques of minting, the visual symbols and their significance and the possible functions that coins may have had.
What is meant by Janapada?
What were the Mahajanapadas? Name a few important Mahajanapadas.
Which Mahajanapada emerged as the strongest one? Name any three of its important rulers.
What was the early capital of Magadha? Tell its one feature. In the 4th century BCE, which city was made the capital of Magadha?
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