(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.

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 capital city of mahajanapadas was fortified because:
(i) Most mahajanapadas had a capital city, many of these were fortified which means that huge walls of wood, brick or stone were built around them. Some rulers wanted to show their wealth and strength by building huge impressive walls.
(ii) Forts were probably built because people were afraid of attacks from other kings and they needed protection. The king could easily control the land and people inside the fortified area.

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.