The democracy of Greece and Athens existed 2500 years ago and lasted for 200 years. The democratic set up is as follows:
(i) All free men over 30 years were citizens.
(ii) They could attend important meetings.
(iii) There was an assembly that met 40 times a year to decide on important matters.
(iv) Appointments for important positions were held through lottery.
(v) All citizens were expected to serve in the army and navy.
(vi) Women, foreigners who lived and worked in Athens as merchants and slaves were not considered as citizens.

The priests divided people into four groups, called varnas. According to them, each varna had a different set of functions. The priests also said that these groups were decided on the basis of birth. The groups were as follow:
(i) The first varna was Brahmin. Brahmins were expected to study and teach the Vedas, perform sacrifices and receive gifts.
(ii) In the second varna, there were rulers, also known as kshatriyas. They were expected to fight battles and protect people.
(iii) The third varna was vaishyas or vish. They were expected to be farmers, herders and traders. Both the kshatriyas and the vaishyas could perform sacrifices.

The people who would be present at the sacrifice are:
(i) The king, his wives, sons and relatives
(ii) The charioteer of the king
(iii) The priests
(iv) The ordinary people, the vish or vaishya
(v) The other rajas
The categories of people who are described in terms of their occupation are:
(i) The king. who protected the people and looked after their welfare.
(ii) The charioteer, who was his companion in his exploits.
(iii) The priest, who performed the religious ceremony.

Rajas of Mahajanapadas
(i) They became rajas by performing very big sacrifices where people accepted their supremacy.
(ii) They had capital cities, which were fortified. They also had large armies.
Rajas in Rigveda
(i) The rulers were chosen by the jana i.e. the people.
(ii) They did not have capital city, palaces and armies. Also, they did not collect taxes.

In the Rigvedic period, there was no regular army. Most of the men took part in the war, whenever required. In the later period, the kings had vast armies of foot soldiers, chariots and elephants.

(i) The rajas of mahajanapadas built forts to protect their capital city.
(ii) Huge walls of wood, brick or stone were built around the cities.
(iii) Forts were probably built because people were afraid of attacks from other kings and needed protection.
(iv) Some rulers wanted to show their wealth and strength by building really large, tall and impressive walls around their cities.
(v) Also in this way, the land and the people living inside the fortified area could be controlled more easily by the king.

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.

(i) The priests divided people in four groups or varnas, i.e. Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra. 
(ii) They said that the groups in the society were decided on the basis of birth. For example if one's father and mother were brahmins, one would automatically become a brahmin and so on. Later, they classified some people as untouchable. 
(iii) These included some crafts persons, hunters and gatherers, as well as people who helped perform burials and cremations. The priests said that contact with these groups was polluting.

The two major changes were:
(i) One was the growing use of iron ploughshares instead of wooden ploughshares so that more grain could be produced.
(ii) Second - instead of scattering seed on the ground, from which sprout, saplings were grown and then planted in the fields; people began transplanting paddy which lead to increase in production.

The most powerful rulers of Magadha were:
(i) Bimbisara and Ajatasattu were two very powerful rulers who used all possible means to conquer other janapadas.
(ii) Mahapadma Nanda was another important ruler. He extended his control upto the North-West part of the sub-continent.