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 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.

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.

(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) This fortification wall is located at Kaushambi.
(ii) A part of this wall was probably built about 2500 years ago.

(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 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.

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

The kings of these times encouraged these changes i.e. use of iron ploughshare and transplantation of paddy. It was because these two activities would led to the increased agricultural production.
As a result of this, kings would be able to get more tax from their men. In this way, they could be able to maintain large army that would be utilised in acquiring more lands for agriculture.

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.

Yes, the groups mentioned in answer 3 i.e. women have voting rights at present. All the citizens of a country of age 18 or above including men, women, ere have equal right to vote.

Yes, traders and crafts persons pay taxes even today.

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.

(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.

Shudras, women and dasas could not participate in the assemblies of the ganas.

In Athens, it was not a true democracy, as the right of women was ignored, slaves were ill-treated and not given citizenship.

The Vajji sangha was different from the other mahajanapadas in these ways:

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.

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.