Why did kings want to control the Silk Route?
Some kings tried to take control over the large portions of the route. This was because they could take benefits from taxes, tributes and gifts that were brought by the traders travelling along the route. In return, they often protected the traders who passed through their kingdoms from attack that is done by robbers.
Why do you think ordinary men and women did not generally keep records of what they did?
Read the story on page 122. In what ways is the monkey king similar to or different from the kings you read about in Chapters 5 and 10?
What kind of evidence from burials do archaeologists use to find out whether there were social differences amongst those who were buried?
What were the new administrative arrangements during this period?
Match the following:
Narmada Valley The first big kingdom
Magadha Hunting and gathering
Garo hills Cities about 2500 years ago
Indus and its tributaries Early agriculture
Ganga Valley The first cities
What changes do you find in the army at this time?
What were the means adopted by Ashoka to spread the message of dhamma?
What were the problems that Ashoka wanted to solve by introducing dhamma?
Describe the functions of the gramabhojaka. Why do you think he was powerful?
Return to Rasheeda’s question. Can you think of some answers to it?
Describe the functions of the gramabhojaka. Why do you think he was powerful?
What were the new administrative arrangements during this period?
Find out more and tell a story from one of the epics.
Discuss the reasons why the Chinese pilgrims came to India.
Mention three authors who wrote about Harshavardhana.
What kind of evidence from burials do archaeologists use to find out whether there were social differences amongst those who were buried?
Fill in the chart given below with the terms: hunter- gatherers, farmers, traders, crafts persons, herders.
Read the story on page 122. In what ways is the monkey king similar to or different from the kings you read about in Chapters 5 and 10?
Do you think ordinary people would have read and understood the prashastis? Give reasons for your answer.
What were the main features of Bhakti?