Class 7 Social Science Ch 4 Notes | New Beginnings: Cities and States
Theme 2: Tapestry of the Past
Ch 4: New Beginnings: Cities and States
नवारंभ—नगर एवं राज्य
English Notes
Introduction
After the decline of the Harappan civilisation, Indian history witnessed a new phase known as the period of New Beginnings: Cities and States. This period marks the gradual rise of new cities, kingdoms, and political systems. Human settlements became more organised, and people started living under rulers who controlled specific territories.
This chapter helps us understand how early cities developed, how states were formed, and how social, economic, and political life changed over time.
What Are Cities?
A city is a large settlement where people engage in various occupations such as trade, administration, craft production, and religious activities. Unlike villages, cities have a dense population and better infrastructure like roads, markets, and public buildings.
In ancient times, cities developed near rivers, trade routes, and fertile lands because these locations provided water, food, and easy transportation.
Growth of New Cities
Between 600 BCE and 300 BCE, many new cities emerged in the Indian subcontinent. These cities were often centres of trade, learning, and governance. Some important cities of this period included:
- Rajagriha
- Kaushambi
- Ujjain
- Taxila
These cities became important because merchants, artisans, and scholars gathered there, making them hubs of economic and cultural activities.
Rise of States
As cities grew, the need for organised administration increased. This led to the formation of states. A state is a political unit with a ruler, laws, and an administrative system.
Kings collected taxes, maintained armies, and protected their territories. The emergence of states helped bring stability and order to society.
Mahajanapadas
During this period, several powerful states known as Mahajanapadas emerged. There were sixteen Mahajanapadas, including Magadha, Kosala, Avanti, and Vajji.
Among them, Magadha became the most powerful due to its strong army, efficient administration, and access to resources like iron and fertile land.
Life in Early Cities
Life in early cities was very different from village life. People followed different professions such as:
- Traders and merchants
- Artisans like potters and metalworkers
- Officials and soldiers
- Priests and scholars
Markets played an important role in city life. Goods from different regions were exchanged, increasing trade and cultural contact.
Importance of This Period
This period laid the foundation for future empires and administrative systems. Cities became centres of power, culture, and learning, shaping the course of Indian history.
हिंदी नोट्स
परिचय
हड़प्पा सभ्यता के पतन के बाद भारतीय इतिहास में एक नया चरण आरंभ हुआ जिसे नवारंभ—नगर एवं राज्य कहा जाता है। इस काल में नए नगरों और राज्यों का विकास हुआ।
इस अध्याय में हम समझेंगे कि नगर कैसे विकसित हुए, राज्य कैसे बने और लोगों का जीवन किस प्रकार बदला।
नगर क्या हैं?
नगर ऐसे बड़े बस्तियाँ होती हैं जहाँ लोग व्यापार, शिल्प, प्रशासन और धार्मिक कार्यों में लगे रहते हैं। गाँवों की तुलना में नगर अधिक संगठित और जनसंख्या में बड़े होते हैं।
नगरों का विकास
लगभग 600 ईसा पूर्व से 300 ईसा पूर्व के बीच भारत में कई नए नगर विकसित हुए। ये नगर नदियों, व्यापार मार्गों और उपजाऊ भूमि के पास बसे।
- राजगृह
- कौशाम्बी
- उज्जैन
- तक्षशिला
राज्यों का उदय
नगरों के विकास के साथ प्रशासन की आवश्यकता बढ़ी, जिससे राज्यों का गठन हुआ। राजा कानून बनाते, कर वसूलते और सेना रखते थे।
महाजनपद
इस काल में सोलह महाजनपदों का उदय हुआ। इनमें मगध सबसे शक्तिशाली राज्य बना।
नगरों में जीवन
नगरों में लोग विभिन्न कार्य करते थे जैसे व्यापारी, कारीगर, सैनिक और अधिकारी। बाजार नगर जीवन का महत्वपूर्ण हिस्सा थे।
महत्व
यह काल भारतीय इतिहास में अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण है क्योंकि इसी समय संगठित राज्यों और नगरों की नींव पड़ी।
Questions & Answers
A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Which period marks the rise of new cities?
a) Harappan period b) New Beginnings period c) Gupta period d) Mughal period
Answer: b - Which was a powerful Mahajanapada? – Magadha
- Cities mostly developed near – Rivers
- Who ruled the states? – Kings
- Trade took place mainly in – Markets
- Which city was a learning centre? – Taxila
- How many Mahajanapadas were there? – 16
- Main occupation in cities – Trade
- Which state became most powerful? – Magadha
- Cities helped in – Economic growth
B. True or False
- Cities developed after Harappan civilisation – True
- Villages were larger than cities – False
- Magadha was a Mahajanapada – True
- Markets were unimportant – False
- Kings collected taxes – True
- Trade was limited – False
- States had armies – True
- Cities were centres of learning – True
- No administration existed – False
- This period shaped future empires – True
C. Short Question Answers
- What is a city?
- Why did cities develop near rivers?
- What is a state?
- Name any two Mahajanapadas.
- What occupations existed in cities?
- Why was Magadha powerful?
- What role did markets play?
- Who ruled the states?
- What is the meaning of Mahajanapada?
- Why is this period important?
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