Question

F. Answer the questions in about 50–70 words.
Mention any two factors that prove that society was rigid in Magadha.
1.
2.
How did the kings of Magadha spend the money they collected as taxes?
3.
Why was Ashwamedha yajna performed?
What changes came about in the economy with the introduction of coinage?
4.
5.
What policies were undertaken by Bimbisara to expand his kingdom?​

Answer 1

Answer:

Mention any two factors that prove that society was rigid in Magadha.

The factors that contributed to the rise of Magadha were the strategic locations of its two capitals Rajagriha and Pataliputra, very rich alluvial soil contributing to agricultural surplus production, and the availability of minerals, which resulted in the introduction of iron tools especially for warfare.

How did the kings of Magadha spend the money they collected as taxes?

There were taxes on crafts men who paid it by providing their labor. For example a weaver or a smith would work for a day in every month for the king.  Taxes were imposed on goods that were brought and sold through trade. Hunters and gatherers also paid their taxes by providing the forest produce to the raja.

Why was Ashwamedha yajna performed? What changes came about in the economy with the introduction of coinage?

The Ashvamedha is a horse sacrifice ritual followed by the Śrauta tradition of Vedic religion. It was used by ancient Indian kings to prove their imperial sovereignty: a horse accompanied by the king's warriors would be released to wander for a period of one year.

Coinage of India began anywhere between early 1st millennium BCE to the 6th century BCE, and consisted mainly of copper and silver coins in its initial stage. The coins of this period were Karshapanas or Pana.

What policies were undertaken by Bimbisara to expand his kingdom?

He used the policy of marital alliances to expand his kingdom, a tradition which was not yet seen in any dynasty. He also used a policy of sending envoys to strengthen the bilateral relationships. He send Jivaka, a Vaidya (doctor) to the king of Avanti who was suffering from a disease most probably jaundice.