Notes Class 11 Chapter 6 History Maharashtra Board

Second Urbanisation in India

6.1 Rise of Mahajanapadas

Background: Around 600 B.C.E., the ambition for territorial expansion led to conflicts among janapadas (smaller tribal states). Stronger janapadas conquered weaker ones, annexing their territories permanently. This process resulted in the formation of sixteen mahajanapadas, stretching from the northwest (Afghanistan) to Magadha in the east and the Godavari in the south.
Outcome: The conflicts culminated in the rise of large empires, such as Magadha, marking a significant phase in ancient Indian history known as the Second Urbanisation.
Sources: The names of the sixteen mahajanapadas are found in Jaina, Buddhist, and Purana texts. Buddhist texts, written closer to the mahajanapada period, are considered more reliable.
Key Feature: Conquering and annexing territories became a regular practice, leading to the consolidation of power and the emergence of urban centers.

6.2 Ashmak/Assak Mahajanapada

Location: Ashmak (Sanskrit) or Assak (Pali) was the only mahajanapada located in Dakshinapatha (southern region, present-day Maharashtra). The other fifteen were in northern India.
Geographical Context: Situated along the Godavari River, it was part of an important trade route starting from Shravasti, passing through Ujjayini and Mahishmati, and reaching Pratishthan after crossing the Vindhyas.
Capital: The capital was Potana/Podana (identified with Nandura, Buldhana district), also known as Potali or Paudanya.
Ruler: According to the Buddhist text Mahagovinda Suttanta, Brahmadatta was the king of Assaka.
Other Janapadas in Dakshinapatha: Included Vidarbha, Bhoja, Dandaka, and Kalinga. Tribal states like Andhas, Shabaras, Pulindas, and Mutibas were also located in the Godavari and Krishna basins.
Jaina Connection: Jaina texts state that Bahubali, son of Rishabhanath (first Jaina Tirthankara), ruled Ashmaka with Podanpur as its capital. A statue of Bahubali stands at Shravanbelgola, Karnataka.

Historical Challenges:

The name Assaka appears in various contexts, creating confusion:
- Nimi Jataka: Mentions an Assaka as a king of Videha (capital: Mithila).
- Assaka Jataka: Refers to King Assaka ruling Kasi (capital: Varanasi) with Potali as his capital, possibly as a feudatory.
- Chulla Kalinga Jataka: Describes a battle between King Assaka and the Kalinga king of Dantapur, followed by a marital alliance.
The Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela mentions Asikanagara, which some historians link to Assaka.

Additional Notes:

Panini’s Ashtadhyayi mentions Avantyashmak, indicating Ashmak and Avanti were adjacent states.
Greek historians during Alexander’s invasion refer to tribes like Aspasioi, Assakenoi, and Astakenoi, possibly equivalent to Ashwayana, Ashwakayana, and Hastikayana from Panini’s text.
The Buddhist text Suttanipata confirms Assaka’s location in Dakshinapatha, with Sage Bavari’s ashram in Andhakratta (Godavari region).

6.3 Second Urbanisation in India

Definition: The establishment of janapadas with defined geographic boundaries and administrative systems around 1000 B.C.E., followed by territorial conflicts, led to the rise of sixteen mahajanapadas. This spurred the growth of prosperous cities, marking the Second Urbanisation (6th century B.C.E.).

Key Cities: The Mahaparinibbansutta lists six prominent cities: Champa, Rajagriha, Shravasti, Saketa, Kushambi, and Varanasi. These were centers of trade and administration.

Markers of Urbanisation:

Development of cities as administrative hubs.
A network of surrounding villages (hinterland) supporting urban centers.
Integration of village and central administration.
Defined taxation systems.
Growth of internal and long-distance trade via land routes and waterways.
Use of monetary exchange (e.g., punch-marked coins called Karshapana or Pana) alongside barter.
A stable legal system and judiciary.

Archaeological Evidence: Excavations reveal characteristic pottery, iron implements, and punch-marked coins of silver and copper, indicating economic prosperity.

Contrast with Harappan Civilisation: Unlike the Harappan cities, which emerged from coordinated trade and production but lack clear administrative details, the second urbanisation provides detailed information on mahajanapada locations, capitals, and governance through literary sources like Jataka stories.

6.4 Mahajanapadas and Their Contemporary Cities

List of Mahajanapadas and Capitals:

Kasi: Capital – Varanasi. A powerful mahajanapada initially, later annexed by Magadha’s King Ajatashatru after defeating Kosala.
Kosala: Capital – Shravasti (Uttar Pradesh and Lumbini, Nepal). King Prasenjit (Pasenadi), a disciple of Gautama Buddha, ruled it. Annexed by Magadha under Ajatashatru.
Anga: Capital – Champa. A marine trade center, annexed by Magadha’s King Bimbisara.
Magadha: Capital – Girivraja/Rajgriha (later Pataliputra). Fortified by five hills, ruled by Bimbisara, a contemporary of Buddha. Initiated territorial annexation policies.
Vrujji/Vajji: Capital – Vaishali. A confederation of eight clans (Maha Aththkula), including Videha and Lichchhavi. Fortified with three walls and gates. Annexed by Ajatashatru.
Malla: Capital – Kushinara/Kushinagara (Gorakhpur). Gautama Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana here. Initially a monarchy, later a republic. Merged into the Maurya empire.
Chedi: Capital – Shuktimati/Sotthivati (near Banda, Uttar Pradesh). Located in Bundelkhand.
Vamsha/Vatsa: Capital – Kaushambi (near Allahabad). King Udayan, a contemporary of Buddha, ruled it. Linked to the Purana tradition of Hastinapur’s destruction.
Kuru: Capital – Indraprastha/Indrapattana (near Delhi). Kings belonged to the Yudhitthil gotra.
Panchala: Divided into Uttara Panchala (capital: Ahichchhatra) and Dakshina Panchala (capital: Kampilya). Separated by the Bhagirathi River. Initially monarchies, later republics.
Matsya: Capital – Viratnagar (Bairat, Rajasthan). Merged into Magadha. Ashokan edicts found here.
Shoorsena: Capital – Mathura. Known as Shursenoi by Greek historians. Merged into the Maurya empire.
Ashmak/Assak: Capital – Potali/Potana/Podana. Possibly a feudatory of Kasi.
Avanti: Divided into Uttara Avanti (capital: Ujjayini) and Dakshina Avanti (capital: Mahishmati). King Pradyot was a contemporary of Buddha. Integrated into the Maurya empire.
Gandhara: Capital – Taxila (Kashmir and Afghanistan). Ruled by Pukkusati, who had diplomatic ties with Bimbisara. Conquered by Iran’s Daryush I (516 B.C.E.).
Kamboja: Capital – Rajapura (Rajauri). Known for skilled horsemen. A republic (araj), as mentioned in Ashokan edicts.

Literary Sources:

Jataka stories provide details on cities visited by Gautama Buddha, their administration, and contemporary kings.
Geographic details in Buddhist texts are considered reliable for reconstructing ancient Indian history.

6.5 Mahajanapadas – Administrative System and Guilds

Administrative System:

Types of States: Terms like Rajya (kingdom), Saamrajya (empire), Svaarajya, Bhaujya, Vairajya, Maharajya, and Parmeshthya denote different state structures. Rajya is ruled by a Raja (after Rajasuya sacrifice), while Saamrajya is ruled by a Saamraj (after Vajapeya sacrifice).
King’s Installation: Typically hereditary, passed to the king’s son, though elected kings existed. The Rajmahishi (first wife) was crowned alongside the king. Sacrifices like Rajasuya formalized the coronation.
Authority of the King: The king had absolute power over taxation and land distribution. He performed Ashvamedha to assert supremacy. However, his power was moderated by advisors (Purohita, Senani, Amatya, Gramani) and people’s assemblies.
Decision-Making: Involved consultation with advisors and assemblies, where all classes could participate. Assemblies could even depose a king, ensuring a balanced governance system.

Guilds (Shrenis):

Role: Guilds of merchants and artisans were crucial for the economic prosperity of mahajanapadas, facilitating trade and skill development.

Organization:

Locally organized by occupation.
Skills passed through family-based training.
Led by senior members (Jyeshthaka for artisans, Shreshthi/Setthi for merchants).
Strict rules enforced a rigid structure, contributing to the caste system.

Workers: Included paid workers (Karmakara) and unpaid workers (Dasa).

State Control: The state regulated guild production, finances, and traditions but allowed internal autonomy. Guilds had dedicated city spaces.

Economic Impact: Guilds funded production, trade, and social causes (e.g., donations, low-interest loans). Ashokan edicts highlight well-maintained roads, boosting trade.

Political Influence: Guild representatives advised the king on guild-related matters, reflecting their socio-political significance.

6.6 Philosophy and Various Sects

Context: The mahajanapada period saw transitions in political and social spheres, influencing philosophical thought. The Vedic focus on rituals and prosperity shifted toward abstract questions about life, death, and the soul.

Upanishads: Philosophical texts exploring the meaning of life and the soul’s journey after death.

Schools of Thought:

Charvaka/Lokayat: A materialistic school rejecting Vedic authority, rituals, and the existence of God or an afterlife. It emphasized sensory experience as the only truth.
Other schools debated the soul’s immortality versus its non-existence.

Parivrajakas/Shramanas: Wandering mendicants who renounced worldly life to seek truth, influencing the rise of new philosophies.

Impact: The teachings of Vardhamana Mahavira (Jainism) and Gautama Buddha (Buddhism) gained widespread acceptance, challenging the Vedic caste system and attracting diverse followers.

6.7 New Religious Trends

Jainism:

Tradition: Rooted in ancient times, with Vardhamana Mahavira as the 24th Tirthankara and Parshvanath as the 23rd.

Vows:

Parshvanath’s four vows: Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Aparigraha (non-possession).
Mahavira added Brahmacharya (celibacy), forming the Panchmahavratas.

Vardhamana Mahavira:

Born in 599 B.C.E. in Kundgram, Vaishali, to Siddhartha (Dnyatruka clan) and Trishaladevi (Lichchhavi clan).
Left home at 30, attained Keval Dnyana (absolute knowledge) at 42, earning titles like Kevali, Jina, and Mahavira.
Preached in Ardhamagadhi for 30 years, emphasizing good behavior and devotion to the five vows.
Core principles: Triratna (Samyak Darshana, Samyak Dnyana, Samyak Charitra) and Anekantavada (pluralism, truth has multiple facets).
Founded the Jaina Sangha. Emperor Chandragupta Maurya embraced Jainism under Bhadrabahu.

Philosophy: All beings (animate and inanimate) possess consciousness and feel pain if hurt, emphasizing non-violence.

Buddhism:

Gautama Buddha:

Born in 563 B.C.E. in Lumbini, Nepal, to Shuddhodana (Shakya clan) and Mayadevi (Koliya clan). Married to Yashodhara.
Left home at 29 (Mahabhinishkramana), attained enlightenment at 35 under a pippal tree in Gaya, becoming Buddha, Tathagata, and Shakyamuni.
Delivered his first sermon at Ishipattana, Sarnath (Dhammachakkapabattan), and preached in Pali for 45 years.

Teachings:

Focused on Dukkha (sorrow), its cause (Trishna – greed), and its cessation through the Ashtangika Marga (eightfold path).
Four Aryasatyas (Noble Truths):
1. Sorrow exists everywhere.
2. Greed is the root cause of sorrow.
3. Conquering greed eliminates sorrow.
4. The eightfold path prevents sorrow.
Eightfold Path (Madhyama Pratipada):
1. Samyak Drishti: Right understanding.
2. Samyak Sankalp: Right intention.
3. Samyak Vacha: Right speech.
4. Samyak Karmanta: Right action.
5. Samyak Aajiva: Right livelihood.
6. Samyak Vyayam: Right effort.
7. Samyak Smriti: Right mindfulness.
8. Samyak Samadhi: Right concentration.
Founded the Bhikkhu Sangha. Emphasized Trisaran (surrender to Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha).

Historical Context: The 6th century B.C.E. saw power struggles among mahajanapadas (Kasi, Kosala, Avanti, Magadha), with Magadha emerging dominant by the 4th century B.C.E., ending the independence of other mahajanapadas.

Additional Notes:

Ashokan Inscription at Rummindei: Confirms Gautama Buddha’s birthplace as Lumbini. King Devanampiya Piyadasi (Ashoka) erected a pillar, exempted Lumbini from taxes, and declared it a sacred site.