Page 44 - SST Class 06

g Herder had to pay taxes in the form of whom Magadha flourished. Great Indian empires
animal products or animals. including the famous Maurya Dynasty originated

g There were also taxes on goods, that were in Magadha. Gautama Buddha spent much of his
bought and sold. life in Magadha, hence the region is believed to
hold great significance to Buddhists.
g Even hunterrs and gatherers, paid taxes in
the form of forest products.
g Sometimes, the tax collectors went into the
field to collect taxes and measure the lands
and the taxes to be paid, by each family.

Changes in Agriculture
There were two major changes in agriculture
around this time. First was the growing use of
iron plough shares. This meant that heavy, clayey
soil could be turned over better than with a
wooden plough share so that more grain could
King Bimbisara
be produced. Second, people began transplant-
ing paddy. This meant that instead of scattering In 326 BCE, a Greek ruler named, Alexander the
seed on the ground, from which plants would Great, who wanted to conquer the world, also
sprout, saplings were grown and then planted in invaded India from the northwest. The name and
the fields. This led to increased production, as fame of Magadha had spread far and wide. His
many more plants survived. However, it was soldiers refused to cross the river Beas. Such was
back breaking work. Generally, slave men and the name, fame and might of Magadha that
women, (dasas and dasis) and landless agricul- Alexander had to turn back and proceed in the
tural laborers (kammakaras) had to do this work. other direction, towards Asia minor.
MAGADHA AND VAJJI Vajji
Magadha was mahajanapadas and Vajji, a Vajji was one of the most prominent ‘mahajana-
janapada, Vajji, on the basis of the form of padas’ of ancient India. Vajji finds mention in the
government, was known as sangha, the type of Jaina text ‘Bhagavati Sutra’ and in Buddhist texts
kingdom to which Gautam Budha belonged. Let like ‘Anguttara Nikaya.’ Vajji was located towards
us have a closer look at the two kindoms by the north of the river Ganges and was bound by
making a comparative study. river Gandaki in the west. Apart from serving as
Vajji’s chief source of water, river Gandaki is
Magadha
believed to have played a key role in separating
Magadha was one of the most prosperous king-
doms of ancient India and one of the most
prominent ‘mahajanapadas.’ For many years,
Pataliputra was the capital of Magadha. The
kingdom was bounded by Ganges in the north,
river Champa in the east and river Son in the
west. According to ancient texts, Brihadratha was
the earliest known ruler of Magadha. The king-
dom was also ruled by King Bimbisara under Hatthigama
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