In what ways do you think that the life of a raja was different from that of a dasa or dasi?

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 were the new administrative arrangements during this period?

What kind of evidence from burials do archaeologists use to find out whether there were social differences amongst those who were buried?

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?

Why did kings want to control the Silk Route?

Why did kings want to control the Silk Route?

Do you think it would have been easy for slaves to join the sangha? Give reasons for your answer.

What were the main features of Bhakti?

Write whether true or false:
(a) The Buddha encouraged animal sacrifices.
(b) Sarnath is important because it was the place where the Buddha taught for the first time.
(c) The Buddha taught that karma has no effect on our lives.
(d) The Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.

(e) Upanishadic thinkers believed that the atman and brahman were ultimately one.

How do archaeologists know that cloth was used in the Harappan civilisation?

Why do you think Anagha’s mother wanted her to know the story of the Buddha?

Match the following
Stupa                                                 Place where the image of the deity is installed

Shikhara                                            Mound
Mandapa                                           Circular path around the stupa

Garbhagriha                                       Place in temples where people could assemble

Pradakshina patha                            Tower

Why do you think ordinary people were attracted to Bhakti?

Do you think that the life of farmers and herders who supplied food to the Harappan cities was different from that of the farmers and herders you read about in Chapter 2? Give reasons for your answer.

What were the new administrative arrangements during this period?