From c. ________, the most visible trend was the emergence of early states, empires and kingdoms.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Sixth-Century BCE
In the long span after the end of the Harappan civilisation, farming settlements spread and the dead were buried in megaliths in central and south India. Then, from c. sixth century BCE, new trends appear, and the most visible was the emergence of early states, empires and kingdoms.
That is why the sixth century BCE is often seen as a turning point in early Indian history. It is the age of the sixteen mahajanapadas, of new cities, the growing use of iron and coinage, and of Buddhism and Jainism.
NCERT (2025-26): “…New modes of disposal of the dead, including the making of elaborate stone structures known as megaliths, emerged in central and south India from the first millennium BCE. In many cases, the dead were buried with a rich range of iron tools and weapons. From c. sixth century BCE, there is evidence that there were other trends as well. Perhaps the most visible was the emergence of early states, empires and kingdoms. Underlying these political processes were other changes, evident in the ways in which agricultural production was organised. Simultaneously, new towns appeared almost throughout the subcontinent.… 2.1 The sixteen mahajanapadas … The sixth century BCE is often regarded as a major turning point in early Indian history. It is an era associated with early states, cities, the growing use of iron, the development of coinage, etc. It also witnessed the growth of diverse systems of thought, including Buddhism and Jainism.…” |