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NCERT Class 7 Social Science Chapter 5 The Rise of Empires
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The Rise of Empires
Chapter: 5
THEME – B: Tapestry of the Past
The Big Questions?
1. What is an empire?
Ans: The word ‘empire’ comes from the Latin ‘imperium’, which means ‘supreme power’. Simply put, an empire is a collection of smaller kingdoms or territories over which a powerful ruler or group of rulers exert power, often after waging war against the smaller kingdoms. The smaller territories still had their own rulers, but they were all tributaries to the emperor, who ruled the whole territory from a capital, usually a major centre of economic and administrative power.
2. How did empires rise and shape Indian civilisation?
Ans: Empires in India rose by conquering smaller kingdoms and uniting them under a powerful ruler called an emperor. These rulers collected tribute from vassal states, who remained semi-independent but accepted the emperor’s authority. Empires like the Mauryas and Guptas centralized power, built strong administrations, promoted trade, and spread religions like Buddhism and Hinduism. Capitals such as Pataliputra became important political and economic centers. Empires also fostered cultural integration by blending local traditions, promoting art, literature, and architecture. Though they declined over time, their impact on Indian society—politically, economically, socially, and culturally—was long-lasting and helped shape the civilization as we know it today.
3. What factors facilitated the transition from kingdoms to empires?
Ans: The transition from kingdoms to empires in ancient India was facilitated by several key factors:
(i) Military Conquests: Strong rulers expanded their territory by defeating neighboring kingdoms.
(ii) Centralized Administration: Efficient systems of governance helped control large areas.
(iii) Economic Growth: Wealth from agriculture, trade, and tribute supported expansion.
(iv) Strategic Geography: Control over trade routes and fertile regions boosted power.
4. What was life like from the 6th to the 2nd century BCE?
Ans: The period between the 6th and the 2nd century BCE was one of profound change in north India. We briefly visited the sixteen mahājanapadas earlier - those large kingdoms of north and central India with their assembly system. One of them, Magadha (modern-day south Bihar and some adjoining areas), rose in importance and set the stage for the fusion of many kingdoms into India’s first empire. Powerful early kings, such as Ajātaśhatru, played a crucial role in establishing Magadha as a dominant centre of power
| Questions and Activities |
1. What are the features of an empire, and how is it different from a kingdom? Explain.
Ans: The features of an empire are:
(i) Maintains an army to keep the tributary states under control, expand the empire or protect it from outside aggression.
(ii) Designs and maintains an administration, with officials to manage the territories, collect taxes, maintain law and order, etc.
(iii) Makes laws, issues currencies, weights and measures, regulates trade.
(iv) Controls and regulates access to resources (mines, forest and agricultural produce, manpower.
(v) Encourages art, literature, religions, schools of thought, centres of learning.
(vi) Maintains communication networks (roads, river and sea navigation) and other infrastructure for administration, trade and people’s welfare.
| Basic | Empire | Kingdom |
| Size and Scope | An empire is a large political unit having enormous territories under one authority or power, often by conquest, whereas a kingdom would be a small unit under a king or queen. | A kingdom is a piece of land that is ruled by a king or a queen. A kingdom is often called a monarchy, which means that one person, usually inheriting their position by birth or marriage, is the leader, or head of state. |
| Centralized Power | Empires have a more centralized administration to govern vast territories. | Kingdoms are usually more localized with decentralized power structures. |
| Tributary System | In an empire, smaller states pay tribute to the emperor. | Kingdoms are self-contained with independent rulers. |
| Cultural and Political Influence | Empires often influence multiple cultures across their territories, promoting diverse ideas, art, and religions. | Kingdoms usually have a more localized cultural and political impact. |
2. What are some important factors for the transition from kingdoms to empires?
Ans: The important factors for the transition from kingdoms to empires
(i) Benevolent and Compassionate Rule: Aśhoka’s approach to governance, as reflected in his edicts where he referred to himself as “Beloved of the Gods” and “one who regards others with kindness,” emphasizes the importance of benevolent leadership. His concern for the welfare of his subjects—such as providing medical care, protecting animals, and promoting kindness—was an important aspect in the transition to a more unified and expansive rule like that of an empire.
(ii) Welfare of Subjects: Aśhoka’s efforts to support the well-being of his subjects, including establishing medical care for people and animals beyond his empire, demonstrate the importance of addressing the needs of the population in a larger territory. This concern for the welfare of diverse groups helps to create a more cohesive empire.
(iii) Infrastructure and Public Welfare: The establishment of rest houses, wells, and the planting of fruit and shade trees along main roads are signs of the infrastructure development that characterizes an empire. Such initiatives help in unifying regions, making travel and communication easier, and improving the quality of life for the subjects.
(iv) Promotion of Tolerance and Religious Harmony: Aśhoka’s encouragement of different sects to study and accept each other’s best teachings reflects a policy of tolerance and religious integration. This is important for unifying diverse groups within an empire, as it helps in managing religious and cultural diversity.
(v) Expansion of Influence Beyond Borders: Although some southern kingdoms were not part of Aśhoka’s empire, his actions in supporting their well-being and providing medical care beyond his empire indicate an effort to exert influence and promote welfare across a larger region, which is a common feature of empires.
3. Alexander is considered an important king in the history of the world-why do you think that is so?
Ans: Alexander is considered an important king in world history for several reasons, particularly due to his military conquests, cultural influence, and the fascinating encounters he had during his campaigns. One such encounter was with a group of Indian sages, known as the Gymnosophists (or “naked philosophers”), whom the Greeks described this way because they wore minimal clothing. These sages were renowned for their wisdom and philosophical insights.
Alexander heard of a group of Indian sages whom the Greeks called ‘Gymnosophists’ or ‘naked philosophers’ (probably because they wore very little clothing), who were renowned for their wisdom. Alexander challenged them with tricky questions in the form of riddles, warning that he would put those who gave wrong answers to death. However, the Gymnosophists responded to his questions calmly and intelligently.
Alexander was impressed and, in the end, spared them all. Over the centuries, different versions of this story have been told, making it one of the most fascinating encounters in history! According to one account, Alexander asked, “Which is stronger, life or death?” One of the sages replied, “Life, because it endures while death does not.” Alexander then asked, “How can a man be most loved?” “If he is most powerful and yet does not inspire fear,” came the reply, perhaps as a hint to the mighty ruler! Historians view such exchanges as a meeting of two great traditions-Greek and Indian philosophies.
4. In early Indian history, the Mauryas are considered important. State your reasons.
Ans: The Mauryas created a vast empire with a legacy that lasted centuries. Their legacy includes strengthening trade routes and economic systems, extensive use of coins for trade, well-designed urban settlements, and an elaborate system of administration. They also promoted art and architecture.
The Mauryas are considered important in early Indian history because they established the first large and powerful empire in India. Founded by Chandragupta Maurya around 321 BCE, the Mauryan Empire quickly absorbed the Nanda territories and expanded to cover much of the Indian subcontinent.
Under Emperor Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire reached its peak, with notable achievements in governance, as he adopted the principles of non-violence, peace, and dharma after the Kalinga War. Ashoka’s edicts helped spread moral and ethical values across the empire.
5. What were some of Kauṭilya’s key ideas? Which ones of these can you observe even today in the world around us?
Ans: Kauṭilya, also known as Chanakya or Vishnugupta, was a brilliant teacher at the ancient university of Takshashila. He played a key role in establishing the Mauryan Empire and guiding Chandragupta Maurya. His most famous work, the Arthashastra, outlines his ideas on governance, economics, administration, defence, law, and diplomacy.
Observing this, Kauṭilya advised Dhana Nanda to change his ways or witness the collapse of his empire. Angered, Dhana Nanda insulted Kauṭilya and threw him out of his court. This led to Kauṭilya’s vow to end the ‘evil Nanda’ rule. Kauṭilya had a clear vision of how a kingdom (rājya) should be established, managed and consolidated. In his famous work Arthaśhāstra (literally, ‘the science of governance and economics’), he listed directives in many areas like defence,
economics, administration, justice, urban planning, agriculture and people’s welfare. One of his most important political concepts is the saptānga (see fig 5.15) or the seven parts that constitute a kingdom.
According to Kauṭilya, the saptānga together must create a settled, well-protected, and prosperous kingdom to be maintained both through warfare and through alliances for peace, as the case may be. He emphasised the importance of law and order in society, which necessitated a strong administration. He also detailed many laws to deal with corruption and specified punishments for any activities that went against the wellbeing of the people.
6. What were the unusual things about Aśhoka and his empire? What of that has continued to influence India and why? Write your opinion in about 250 words.
Ans: The third ruler of the Maurya dynasty was Aśhoka (268– 232 BCE), Chandragupta’s grandson, who came to be credited with major administrative and religious achievements. At the beginning of his reign, Aśhoka was quite ambitious. He had inherited a vast empire but further expanded it to cover almost the entirety of the Indian subcontinent, except for the southernmost region, but including present-day Bangladesh and Pakistan and parts of present-day Afghanistan. One encounter, however, is said to have changed the path of his life. According to one of his edicts he once marched on Kalinga (modern-day Odisha), where he waged a ferocious war. Seeing the enormous amount of death and destruction on the battlefield, Aśhoka chose to give up violence and, to the greatest extent possible, adopt the path of peace and non-violence that the Buddha taught.
Aśhoka’s legacy still influences India today. His lion capital is India’s national emblem. His principles of non-violence (ahimsa) and religious tolerance inspired leaders like Mahatma Gandhi during India’s freedom struggle. Aśhoka’s reign is a reminder that true strength lies in peace, not war, and that good governance is based on compassion and moral duty values that remain relevant even today.
7. Thus speaks the Beloved of the Gods, the king Piyadasi: My officers of Dhamma are busy in many matters of public benefit, they are busy among members of all sects, both ascetics and householders. I have appointed some to concern themselves with the Buddhist Order, with brahmans and Ājīvika…, with the Jains…, and with various sects. There are many categories of officers with a variety of duties, but my officers of Dhamma are busy with the affairs of these and other sects.
After reading the above edict of Aśhoka, do you think he was tolerant towards other religious beliefs and schools of thought? Share your opinion in the classroom.
Ans: Studant do yourself.
8. The Brahmi script was a writing system that was widely used in ancient India. Try to learn more about this script, taking help from your teacher wherever required. Create a small project and include what you have learnt about Brahmi.
Ans: The Brahmi script is one of the oldest writing systems used in ancient India and is considered the ancestor of many modern Indian scripts such as Devanagari, Tamil, and Bengali. It dates back to around the 3rd century BCE and was widely used during the time of Emperor Ashoka, who engraved his famous edicts in Brahmi on stone pillars, rocks, and caves. The script was written from left to right, used consonants and vowels, and included diacritic marks to show different sounds. Brahmi likely developed from earlier local signs or was influenced by foreign scripts. It played an important role in preserving Buddhist teachings and gave historians valuable information about language, administration, and society in ancient India. The script was found in many sites like Sanchi, Sarnath, and Girnar, and was deciphered in the 19th century by James Prinsep, a British scholar. The Brahmi script had a huge impact on India’s literary and cultural development, and its influence is still seen in the scripts used today.
9. Suppose you had to travel from Kauśhāmbī to Kāveripattanam in the 3rd century BCE. How would you undertake this journey, and how long would you expect it to take, with reasonable halts on the way?
Ans: Traveling from Kauśhāmbī to Kāveripattanam in the 3rd century BCE would involve traveling by foot, horseback, or ox-drawn carts. The journey would pass through several kingdoms, likely involving both land and river routes. The distance of around 2,000-2,500 km would take about 60-80 days, assuming 20-25 km per day with halts for rest and supplies. Challenges included harsh weather, difficult terrain, and potential bandits, with stops at villages or monasteries for food and shelter.
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