Economies (600 BCE - 600 CE)
Developments Between 1900 BCE and 600BCE( followed by end of
Harapan civilization)
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➢ Rigveda was composed (1500 BCE)
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➢ Agricultural settlements emerged in Indian subcontinent
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➢ Pastoral populations spread in Deccan and further south
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➢ Megalith culture developed in Central and South India
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➢ Emergence of Early states, kingdoms, and empires in India
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Megalith culture
➔Megalith period was followed by stone age
➔Megalith means ‘big stone’
➔Megalith culture originated in South India
, ➔Megalith culture related to new mode of disposal of dead
➔Megalith Grave were encircled with big pieces of stone
➔Megaliths contain skeletons, pottery and iron objects
➔Megalith culture belongs to iron age.
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Why 6th century BCE Turning point in Indian History BCE
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1. Rise of Cities in Gangetic region of India started in 6 th century
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2. It was second urbanisation in India after Harappan cities
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3. Rise of early states (Mahajanapadas)in India in 6th century BCE
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4. New systems of thought like Buddhism and Jainism emerged in 6 th century
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5. Wide use of iron started
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6. Coinage system and trade developed
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The Earliest States in India
Time line of Early Political institutions
‘Jana’ to ‘Janapada’
Janapada to Mahajanapada
, Mahajanapada to kingdom
Kingdom to Empire
Meaning
Jana : People, clan ,tribe
Janapada : Land where jana settled
Mahajanapada : Large Janapadas
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Features of Mahajanapadas
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Mahajanapadas were early states or Political institutions in India
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Some Mahajanapadas were ruled by ‘Raja’s or Kings
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Some Mahajanapadas were Oligarchies/republics
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Each Mahajanapada had capital city
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Mahajanapada had standing army
Mahajanapada had bureaucracy
Oigarchy
Ganas or Sanghas-power shared by