Identify the most distinctive visible development from c. sixth-century BCE onward in different parts of the Indian subcontinent?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Emergence of early states, empires and kingdoms
Many developments took place in the subcontinent in the long span after the end of the Harappan civilisation. From c. sixth century BCE, the most visible of them was the emergence of early states, empires and kingdoms: the sixteen mahajanapadas, then Magadha and the Mauryan empire. Along with this came changes in agriculture and the growth of new towns almost throughout the subcontinent.
The Rigveda and the spread of agricultural settlements belong to the earlier part of this long span, long before the sixth century BCE.
NCERT (2025-26): “Early States and Economies (c. 600 BCE - 600 CE) … There were several developments in different parts of the subcontinent during the long span of 1,500 years following the end of the Harappan civilisation. This was also the period during which the Rigveda was composed by people living along the Indus and its tributaries. Agricultural settlements emerged in many parts of the subcontinent, including north India, the Deccan Plateau, and parts of Karnataka. Besides, there is evidence of pastoral populations in the Deccan and further south. 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.…” |