Chapter – 2

Kings, Farmers, and Towns

In this post, we have given the Important Questions of Class 12 History Chapter 2 (Kings, Farmers and Towns) in English. These Important Questions are useful for the students who are going to appear in class 12 board exams.

Board	CBSE Board, UP Board, JAC Board, Bihar Board, HBSE Board, UBSE Board, PSEB Board, RBSE Board
Textbook	NCERT
Class	Class 12
Subject	History
Chapter no.	Chapter 2
Chapter Name	(Kings, Farmers, and Towns)
Category	Class 12 History Important Questions in English
Medium	English

1 Marks Questions

Q1. Name the two sacrifices / performed by kings during the Vedic times?

Ans:.(a) Rajasuya Yagyna (b) Ashvamedha Yagnya

Q2. What is Megalith?

Ans: Megalith was an elaborate stone structure in central and south India in the first Millennium B.C These were kept on burials.

Q3: In the Mauryan inscriptions Piyadassi word is used for Which king?

Ans: Ashoka

Q4: Composed Sanskrit text by Brahmanas from 600 B.C.E onwards were known as by which name?

Ans: Dharmasutras.

Q5: Who describe the committee system in Mauryan administration?

Ans: Megasthenese.

Q6: How many subcommittees were found for military activities?

Ans: Six

Q7: How many major political centers in the Mauryan empire?

Ans: Five

Q8: Write the name of any two political centres of the Mauryan Empire?

Ans:

1. Pataliputra – capital

2. Taxila

3. Ujjayini

4. Tosali

5. Suvarnagiri …………………………// Any Two

Q9. Name the two sacrifices / performed by kings during the Vedic times?

Ans: (a) Rajasuya Yagya (b) Ashvamedha Yagya

Q10. What is Megalith?

Ans: Megalith was elaborate stone structure in central and south India in first Millennium B.C These were kept on burials.

Q11. Who deciphered Ashokan inscriptions?

Ans: James Princep.

Q12. which dynasty issued the first Gold coins?

Ans: Kushanas

Q13.Who was Gahapati?

Ans: The Owner, master or head of household.

Q14. Write any two sources of Mauryan History.

Ans:

• Arthashastra of Kautilya.
• Ashoka’s Inscriptions.

Q15. Who were Dhamma Mahamatra?

Ans:

• Special Officer appointed by Ashoka
• Appointed to spread the message of Dhamma.

Q16. Who were Kushanas?

Ans:

• Important dynasty of ancient India.
• First to issue gold coins in India.

Q17. In which language and script Ashoka’s scripts were written?

Ans:

• Language – Prakrit, Aramaic, Greek,
• Script – Brahmi, Greek, Aramaic, and Kharosthi

Q18. Why is six century B.C.E often considered as a major turning point in Indian History?

Ans:

• Emergence of early states, cities growing use of iron.
• Use of coin.
• New Religion- mainly Buddhism, Jainism.

Q19. What were Mahajanpadas? Name a few important Mahajanpadas?

Ans:

(i) Big states in 600 B.C in Northern India

(ii) Important Mahajanpada – (a) Magadh (b) Koshala (c) Avanti (d) Panchal (e) Vajji (f) Gandhar

Q20. What is Manusmriti? What advice has been given to the king through it?

Ans:

• Legal book, written in Sanskrit, complied between 200 B.C to 200 A.D.
• Advice to the king – Border security.

3 Marks Questions

Q21.The Inscription of land grants help us to understand rural society in ancient times “How?

Ans:

• It shows the relationship between the state and the farmers.
• Hunters, fisherman, sculptors and nomadic farmer were not under the control of feudal lord.

Q22. List some of the problems faced by epigraphists?

Ans:

• Epigraphists – persons who study inscription
• Sometimes the words are engraved very lightly, so it is very hard to describe them.
• The inscriptions reflect the views of those who write them. So it may be biased

Q23 Describe briefly the sources for reconstructing the history of the Gupta rulers?

Ans:

• Literary sources
• Description by foreigners – e.g.Fahiyan.
• By Prashastis – Harisena prashastis in Prayag.
• With the help of coins issued by various Kings.
• With the help of Inscriptions.

Q.24 What is the significance of the inscription of Ashoka in the Indian History?

Ans:

• It helps to determine the extent of Ashoka’s Empire.
• It tells about his religion and his thought
• It tells us about his policy
• This inscription throws light on the work done by Ashoka – These are the beautiful specimen of Mauryan Art.

Q.25.James Princep provided a new direction to Indian political history how?

Ans:

• He deciphered two scripts – Brahmi, Kharoshti.
• These inscriptions were used earliest inscriptions and coins
• He throws light on Mauryan ruler Ashoka
• The research of James Princep gave a new direction to Indian political history
• Scholars – (both Indian and Europeans) used the inscription and coins to draw information about the major dynasty.

Q26. What method did the Kushanas adopt to attain upper social status?

Ans:

• They represented themselves as a divine figure (Explanation).
• They prefixed the title Devaputra before their name which means the son of God.
• They show themselves as Divine Kings.
• They constructed their vast statues.

Q27. The Inscription of land grants help us to understand rural society in ancient times “How?

Ans:

• It – shows the relationship between the state and the farmers.
• Hunters, fisherman, sculptors and nomadic farmer were not under the control.
• And many other such type of informations we have got.

Q.28. Why did the Kings or Powerful people donate land?

Ans:

• It was an expansion policy of Agriculture in new fields.
• Kings donated land to find new supporters.
• To spread their power and glory by donating land.

Q29. What factors were responsible for the Growth of Magadh from Mahajanpada to Powerful Empire?

Ans:

• Powerful ruler – Bimbisara and Ajatassattu, Mahapadma Nanda.
• Availability of Iron
• Fertile soil
• Availability of elephants in forest.
• Role of River – Ganga , Son, Punpun; important for communications

Q-30. Describe any five features of Mahajanpada?

Ans:

Ruled by Kings, some were ruled by Ganas or Sanghas.

• Fortified Capital
• Permanent Army
• Functions of King to collect taxes and Tributes from people – Dharmasutras laid down norms for Kings and other People.

Value-Based Questions.

Q31. Ashoka’s Dhamma is fruitful even today. How?

Ans:

• Because it teaches to respect elders, love for young and kindness to subordinate/servants.
• Religious tolerance to other religions.
• Liberal policies towards Brahmanas and learned persons.
• Non- Violence.

Q32. How does inscription help in reconstruction of history?

Ans: 

• Knowledge about the rulers and their achievement ( By prashasti).
• Script and language of that time.
• Land grand and economic condition.
• The extent of the empire.
• Social and Religious conditions of Kingdom.

8 Marks Questions

Q33. What were the main features of Mauryan Administration?

Ans:

• Central administration -King had Control over legislative, executive and Judiciary. Actually he was the most powerful person in empire.
• Providence Administration – the Empire was divided into many provinces governed by governor.
• Local Government – There was a committee of 3 members to maintain rules and regulations in Patliputra.
• Existence of cabinet to give advice and to help for running of Administration
• Five major political centers in empire
• Organized Army -a Committee with six subcommittees for coordinating military activity.
• To spread Dhamma Mahamattra.
• Officers for the land revenue, irrigation and road.
• Strict Law and Order system was set up.
• Institution of spies was very strong and working effectively.

 

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