Hints for students
(i) Name and location of your state or Union Territory, write the name of your region.
(ii) Look carefully in the map, is any janapada site in your state/UTs.
(iii) If yes, name that janapadas.
(iv] If not, look all directions of your state (East, West, North, South).
(v) See the map

The ashvamedha or horse sacrifice was one such ritual. A horse was let loose to wander freely and it was guarded by the raja's men. If the horse wandered into the kingdoms of other rajas and they stopped it, they had to fight. If they allowed the horse to pass, it meant that they accepted that the raja who wanted to perform the sacrifice was stronger than them. These rajas were then invited to the sacrifice, which was performed by specially trained priests, who were rewarded with gifts. The raja who organised the sacrifice was recognised as being very powerful, and all those who came brought gifts for him to show respect.

(i) Bowls are the earthern pots made out of Painted Grey Ware.
(ii) These bowls were used on special occasions, for important people, and to serve special food.

(i) The priests divided people into four groups, called varnas. According to them, each varna had a different set of functions.
(ii) The priests also said that these groups were decided on the basis of birth. Many people did not accept the system of varna laid down by the brahmins.
(iii) Some people felt that there should be no differences amongst people based on occupation.
(iv) Some felt that everybody had the right to perform rituals. Many opposed the concept of untouchability. In this way, people opposed the system of varna.

The hunters may have brought fresh meat everyday for the king. Gatherers brought forest produce like honey and nuts for the king.

Present-day elections are different from the ways in which rulers were chosen in janapadas:
(i) Present-day elections are conducted by Election Commission. In janapadas, we did not have Election Commission.
Some of the rajas were probably chosen by the jana i.e. the people. But around 3000 years ago, we find some changes taking place in the ways in which rajas were chosen. Some men now became recognised as rajas by performing very big sacrifices.
(ii) In present-day elections, all adult citizens of 18 years participate in election process. But in janapadas, all men were recognised as full citizens. In janapadas, women and slaves were not considered equal free citizens.

The jana or assembly in Vaishali is holding a meeting to discuss how to deal with an attack by the king of Magadha.
The ongoing discussion may include these types of questions:
(i) Who is going to lead the army?
(ii) Who is in the total control of the army?
(iii) Who will lead the elephants, horses and chariots, the different wings of the army?
(iv) What strategy will be adopted in the direct combat?
(v) Will the leaders meet during the battle to discuss the situation?

The characteristics of the earthen pots are:
(i) In janapadas, people made earthen pots, some of these were grey in colour and others were red.
(ii) One special type of pottery found at these sites is known as Painted Grey Ware, and such pots had painted designs, usually simple lines and geometric patterns.

Archaeologists have excavated a number of settlements in janapadas, such as Purana Qila in Delhi, Hastinapur near Meerut and Atranjikhera near Etah (the last two are in Uttar Pradesh)
(i) Archaeologists found that people lived in huts and kept cattle as well as other animals.
(ii) They also grew a variety of crops - rice, wheat, barley, pulses, sugarcane, sesame and mustard.