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to the king. There were taxes on goods bought and sold. Pastoral people paid taxes in the
form of animals and animal produce like milk or ghee. Even hunters and forest dwellers
gave forest produce as taxes. Taxes were paid by the farmers, artisans (craftsmen) and
traders. Taxes could be paid both in cash and kind.
Administration : The Mahajanpadas had rich resources, which enabled their rulers to
maintain elaborate systems of administration. The Mahajanpadas were mostly monarchies.
The king maintained a large, well-equipped and regularly paid army during war and peace.
Ministers were appointed to help in the administration. Brahamans were important and
powerful. The king often gave tax-free villages to Brahmans. A village was administered by
the village headman, who had direct access to the king. The king was advised by the priest
or purohita and assisted by the ministers or amatyas.
tHe monarcHy of magadHa
The monarchy of Magadha emerged as the most powerful and important Mahajanpada by
the 6th Century BC. It was located in the Gangetic Valley which was immensely fertile and
produced a variety of paddy crops.
causes of magadHa’s success
Magadha enjoyed an advantageous geographical position because rich iron deposits were
situated near Rajgir, the earliest capital of Magadha. The easy availability of rich iron-ore in the
neighbourhood enabled the Magadhan rulers to make effective weapons and defeat their rivals.
Magadha had efficient rulers, who increased its power and prosperity. Among these rulers
were Bimbisara, Ajatashatru and Mahapadma Nanda. They expanded Magadha’s territories
through wars and alliances.
Bimbisara and his successor Ajatashatru had their capital at Rajagriha (modern Rajgir) in
Bihar. They built roads and canals and promoted river trade. Ajatashatru fortified Patliputra
(modern Patna), from where he could control the Gangetic Plain and the trade along
the Ganga. Thus, by 6th Century BC, the Aryans had progressed from a nomadic pastoral
economy of cattle rearing to a fully active urban economy. This was possible because of
surplus agricultural production and trade and commerce.
Now I Know :
The Aryans had spread throughout Northern India by 6th Century BC.
The term ‘Janapada’ literally means the foothold of a tribe.
The Janapadas that became powerful were called the Mahajanpadas and there were altogether 16 Mahajanpadas.
Out of these 16 Mahajanpadas, Magadha became most powerful due to various causes.
Most of them were monarchies and some were republican too.
Society were divided into four Varnas–Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras.
Taxes were paid by the farmers, artisans (craftsmen) and traders.
(Assessment of Learning Outcome)
A. Tick () the correct option :
1. Vedic texts give information about the:
(a) mahajanapad (b) castes (c) janapada (d) both (a) and (c)
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