Class 7 Social Science Part 1 Chapter 4 – New Beginnings: Cities and States | NCERT Worksheet
Practise Class 7 Social Science Part 1 Chapter 4 – New Beginnings: Cities and States with this easy NCERT worksheet. Includes important questions and revision exercises on the emergence of cities, states, settlements and political developments in early India.
Class 7 Social Science Chapter 4 Worksheet | New Beginnings: Cities and States
a) The growth of villages during the Harappan period
b) The revival and spread of urban life during the 1st millennium BCE
c) The decline of trade in ancient India
d) The beginning of agriculture
2. The word ‘janapada’ is connected with the words jana and pada. What does it indicate?
a) A place where people had settled
b) A large army
c) A trading ship
d) A religious ceremony
3. Which group of states became important mahājanapadas?
a) Magadha, Kosala, Vatsa and Avanti
b) Chola, Chera and Pandya only
c) Kuru, Matsya and Gandhara only
d) Kalinga, Chola and Chera only
4. Which metal became especially important during the Second Urbanisation?
a) Gold
b) Silver
c) Iron
d) Tin
5. What were the early Indian coins made mainly of?
a) Silver
b) Wood
c) Clay
d) Stone
6. What were the early Indian coins with symbols punched on them called?
a) Gold coins
b) Punch-marked coins
c) Temple coins
d) Trade stones
B. Fill in the Blanks
7. The first urban civilisation of India is commonly associated with the __________ Civilisation.
8. The Second Urbanisation began mainly in the __________ plains.
9. The rulers of many janapadas were called __________.
10. The two important routes mentioned in the chapter are Uttarapatha and __________.
11. The four varṇas mentioned in Vedic texts were Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and __________.
C. True or False
12. The Second Urbanisation began during the 1st millennium BCE.
Answer: __________________
13. All janapadas had exactly the same system of governance.
Answer: __________________
14. Some mahājanapadas were monarchies.
Answer: __________________
15. Vajji and Malla followed systems in which assemblies had an important role.
Answer: __________________
16. Iron was important only for making ornaments.
Answer: __________________
D. Match the Following
Column A
Column B
17. Magadha
a. Mathurā
18. Śhūrasena
b. Rājagṛiha
19. Vatsa
c. Ujjayinī
20. Avanti
d. Kauśhāmbī
Write the correct matches:
17. ______ 18. ______ 19. ______ 20. ______
E. Very Short Answer Questions
21. What is meant by a janapada?
22. What was a mahājanapada?
23. Name any two powerful mahājanapadas.
24. What role did assemblies play in early janapadas?
25. Why were many ancient capitals strongly fortified?
F. Short Answer Questions
26. Why were the fertile Ganga plains important for the growth of mahājanapadas?
27. How did iron technology help the growth of agriculture?
28. How did iron weapons affect the power of early states?
29. Why did the growth of trade encourage the use of coins?
30. What was the difference between a monarchy and the system followed by Vajji and Malla?
G. Varṇa and Jāti
31. What is meant by jāti?
32. Name the four varṇas mentioned in Vedic texts.
33. What kinds of work were traditionally associated with the Vaishyas?
34. Why can divisions in society sometimes lead to inequality?
H. Routes and Trade
35. What was Uttarapatha?
36. What was Dakṣhiṇapatha?
37. Why were roads and ports important for ancient India?
38. What types of goods were traded from southern India?
I. Complete the Comparison
Feature
First Urbanisation
Second Urbanisation
Important region
________________
________________
Important metal
________________
________________
Trade
________________
________________
Urban life
________________
________________
J. Source-Based Question
Read the following passage and answer the questions.
During the period of the mahājanapadas, several cities became important centres of administration and trade. Many capitals were protected by strong fortifications and some had moats and narrow gateways. The growth of trade and agriculture helped these states become stronger.
39 (a). Why were capitals fortified?
39 (b). Name two activities that helped the mahājanapadas grow.
39 (c). How did cities become centres of administration and trade?
K. Think and Answer
40. Why do you think a growing population needed better roads and waterways?
41. Why would a kingdom need cultivable land, water, forests, pastures and mines?
42. How could roads help people, goods and ideas travel across ancient India?
L. Textbook Questions
43. Consider the quotation at the start of the chapter and discuss in several groups. Compare your observations and conclusions on what Kauṭilya recommends for a kingdom. Is it very different today?
44. According to the text, how were rulers chosen in early Vedic society?
45. Imagine you are a historian studying ancient India. What types of sources (archaeological, literary, etc.) would you use to learn more about the mahājanapadas? Explain how each source might contribute to your understanding.
46. Why was the development of iron metallurgy so important for the growth of urbanism in the 1st millennium BCE? You may use points from the chapter but also from your knowledge or imagination.
M. Creative Activity
47. Imagine that you are a trader living during the period of the mahājanapadas. Write five things you would need to make a successful journey from one region to another.
1. __________________________________________
2. __________________________________________
3. __________________________________________
4. __________________________________________
5. __________________________________________
48. Draw a simple timeline showing these developments:
Harappan Civilisation → Janapadas → Mahājanapadas → Second Urbanisation
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