NCERT History: Class 6 Chapter-6 (Kingdoms, Kings and an Early Republic)

Chapter 6, “Kingdoms, Kings and an Early Republic,” describes the transition from small tribal settlements to large, organized states and the various systems of governance that emerged about 3,000 to 2,500 years ago.

1. The Rise of New Rajas

Around 3,000 years ago, the way leaders were chosen began to change. Men became recognized as rajas by performing massive sacrifices.

• The Ashvamedha (Horse Sacrifice): This was a key ritual where a horse was let loose to wander under the guard of the raja’s men.
• Significance of the Sacrifice: If another raja stopped the horse, they had to fight; if they let it pass, they accepted the performing raja as more powerful.
• The Raja’s Role: He was the central figure, often seated on a throne or tiger skin, while his charioteer sang tales of his battlefield glory.
• The Varna System: Priests divided society into four groups called varnas, each with specific functions determined by birth.
  • Brahmins (priests): Expected to study and teach the Vedas, perform sacrifices, and receive gifts.
  • Kshatriyas (warriors/rulers): The rulers expected to fight battles and protect people.
  • Vaishyas (farmers/traders): Farmers, herders, and traders. Both kshatriyas and vaishyas could perform sacrifices.
  • Shudras (laborers/servants): Had to serve the other three groups and could not perform rituals or study the Vedas.
  • Untouchables: A later classification for certain crafts persons, hunters, gatherers, and those performing burials.

2. Janapadas and Mahajanapadas

As rajas performed bigger sacrifices, they were recognized as rulers of janapadas (land where the jana settled) rather than just tribes.

• Janapadas: Archaeologists have found settlements like Purana Qila (Delhi) and Hastinapura (near Meerut). People lived in huts and grew crops like rice, wheat, and sugarcane.
• Mahajanapadas: About 2,500 years ago, some janapadas became more important and powerful.
• Fortification: Most mahajanapadas had capital cities protected by massive walls of wood, brick, or stone. These were built for protection, to display power, and to control the population.
• Armies and Taxes: Rulers began maintaining regular, salaried armies. To pay for these and for building forts, they collected regular taxes instead of relying on occasional gifts.

3. Changes in Economy and Agriculture

Two major shifts occurred in agriculture that led to increased food production:

1. Iron Ploughshares: These allowed heavy soil to be turned over better than wooden ones, leading to more grain.
2. Transplantation of Paddy: Instead of scattering seeds, saplings were grown and then planted in fields, ensuring more plants survived.

• Taxes: Farmers usually paid $\frac{1}{6}\text{th}$ of their produce as tax, known as bhaga. Crafts persons paid in labor, while herders paid in animals or animal produce.

4. Case Studies: Magadha and Vajji

The chapter highlights two different systems of governance: Monarchy and Republic.

A. Magadha (Monarchy)

• Geography: It became the most powerful mahajanapada, supported by the Ganga and Son rivers which provided transport, water, and fertile land.
• Resources: Forests provided elephants for the army and wood for building; iron ore mines provided material for strong weapons.
• Rulers: Powerful kings like Bimbisara, Ajatasattu, and Mahapadma Nanda expanded the kingdom.
• Capital: It shifted from Rajagriha (Bihar) to Pataliputra (Patna).

B. Vajji (Gana or Sangha)

• Different Government: While Magadha was a kingdom, Vajji was a gana or sangha with its capital at Vaishali.
• Multiple Rulers: In a gana, there were many rulers (rajas) who governed together.
• Assemblies: These rajas met in assemblies to decide matters through discussion and debate.
• Exclusions: Women, dasas (slaves), and kammakaras (laborers) were not allowed to participate in these assemblies.

5. Important Chronology

⚖️Indian Polity: Citizenship Act 1955 (Acquisition & Loss)

Based on Indian Constitutional and legal framework, here is a detailed breakdown of the acquisition and loss of citizenship under the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Acquisition of Indian Citizenship

The Act provides five distinct ways a person can become a citizen of India:

1. By Birth

• Before July 1, 1987: Any person born in India is a citizen by birth, regardless of the parents’ nationality.
• July 1, 1987 – Dec 3, 2004: A person born in India is a citizen if at least one parent was a citizen of India at the time of birth.
• After Dec 3, 2004: A person born in India is a citizen only if both parents are citizens, or one is a citizen and the other is not an illegal migrant.

2. By Descent

• This applies to people born outside India.
• A person born outside India is a citizen if their father (or either parent after 1992) was a citizen of India at the time of birth.
• After December 3, 2004, such births must be registered at an Indian consulate within one year.

3. By Registration

The central government may, on application, register any person (not being an illegal migrant) as a citizen if they belong to categories such as:

• Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) who have been ordinarily resident in India for seven years.
• Persons who are married to citizens of India and are ordinarily resident for seven years.
• Minor children of persons who are citizens of India.

4. By Naturalization

A foreigner can acquire citizenship if they have resided in India for 12 years (1 year immediately preceding the application and 11 years out of the preceding 14 years) and meet qualifications like:

• Good character.
• Knowledge of a language specified in the Eighth Schedule.
• Intention to reside in India.

5. By Incorporation of Territory

• If any foreign territory becomes a part of India (e.g., when Pondicherry or Goa joined the Union), the Government of India specifies the persons of that territory who shall be citizens of India.

Loss of Indian Citizenship

The Act outlines three ways in which a person may lose their citizenship:

1. By Renunciation

• Any adult Indian citizen can make a declaration renouncing their Indian citizenship.
• When a person renounces citizenship, every minor child of that person also loses Indian citizenship (though the child can resume it upon reaching age 18).

2. By Termination

• India follows the principle of Single Citizenship.
• If an Indian citizen voluntarily acquires the citizenship of another country, their Indian citizenship automatically terminates.

3. By Deprivation

This is a compulsory termination of citizenship by the Central Government on specific grounds, such as:

• Citizenship was obtained by fraud.
• The citizen has shown disloyalty to the Constitution of India.
• The citizen has unlawfully traded or communicated with an enemy during a war.
• Within five years of registration/naturalization, the citizen has been imprisoned in any country for two years.