NCERT HISTORY CLASS-VI
CHAPTER-V PART-I
SELECTING RULERS
Nowadays we are selecting our leaders through voting them for 5 years, not for the whole of their lifetime. If I say it for a lifetime, everyone will be against me because by making it like that the Ruler/Leader will become a dictator, It is not good for the welfare of a democratic country. But in those days around 3,000 years ago, people were selecting their own leader permanently by the performance of Rajas in various sacrifices.
Ashvamedha (Horse sacrifice) is one among some rituals in which the Horse is untied to wander into another kingdom guarded by his men. If the Raja of that kingdom allows the horse to pass through his country, he is accepting his defeat and the Raja as his king. If not the Raja will make the war against them to prove his valor. The Raja who organized the sacrifice is recognized as most powerful than others. The defeated rajas will come to him to pay tribute with valuable gifts.
In this ritual,
1. RAJA - The Central figure.
2.Priests - Performing rituals, sprinkling sacred water.
3. Charioteers - Companion in the battlefield who chants his glory.
All other Rajas were only just spectators, the ordinary people also brought some gifts, and the Shudras were excluded.
VARNAS
There are several groups of people in the society at that time - Priests, warriors, farmers, herders, traders, laborers, craft persons, and forset people. some of them were rich, some were farmers and herders, some of them were poor. So, the priest categorized them into four groups called VARNAS. They are
- I Varna - Brahmins - who studies and teaches the Veda, performing sacrifices.
- II Varna - The Rulers (Kshatriyas) - Fighting battles and protecting their people.
- III Varna - Vaishyas - Farmers, herders, and traders.
- VI Varna - Shudras - Only for serving and not allowed to study.
All this system of Varna is based on the birthright of themselves. Many people did not accept the system of Varna, some kings thought that they were more powerful than the Priest. Others condemned the practice of untouchability, and in some areas the power and influence of the priests were limited.
JANAPADAS
The word Janapadas means the land where the Jana or people sets their foot. The Raja performing these sacrifices were considered as the Raja of Janapadas. Some important Janapadas where the archaeologists found many huts, grains, pots, a special type of pottery called Painted Grey Ware is Purna Qila in Delhi, Hastinapura in Meerut, and Atranjikhera in Etah.
MAHAJANAPADAS
As years pass by, some Janapadas were considered much important than others, and they were later called the Mahajanapadas. Most Mahajanapadas had a capital city, well Fortified with huge walls for protection and to show their power and richness through it, The Raja also maintained Armies throughout the year, and the soldiers were paid in coins.
