NCERT Solutions New Beginnings Cities and States Class 7 Social Science PDF

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Social Science Chapter 4 New Beginnings Cities and States are prepared according to the latest Class 7 syllabus. These solutions cover all the important questions and answers from the chapter, making it easy for students to understand topics like the Second Urbanisation, Janapadas, Mahajanapadas, governance and the rise of cities. By following the syllabus closely, these solutions help students revise quickly, practice effectively and prepare well for exams.

New Beginnings Cities and States  Class 7 Social Science

The chapter New Beginnings Cities and States tells us about the changes that took place in India around the 1st millennium BCE. During this time, many small regions called janapadas and bigger ones called mahajanapadas came up. 

These areas became important because of farming, trade, and the rise of towns. The chapter also explains how some states were ruled by kings, while others followed early forms of democracy. It also talks about the use of iron tools, the growth of cities like Magadha and Ujjain, and the development of new professions in society. In short, this chapter helps us understand how early Indian cities and states began and grew.

Class 7 Social Science Chapter 4 Question Answer

Below are the solutions of Class 7 Social Science Chapter 4  New Beginnings Cities and States. The chapter explains the Second Urbanisation of India which began in the 1st millennium BCE with the rise of towns in the Ganga plains and nearby areas.

The Big Questions? (page 67)

Question 1. What is meant by Second Urbanisation of India?
Answer: The term Second Urbanisation of India refers to the period when new cities and towns began to rise after the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization. The first civilization of India started breaking down around the early 2nd millennium BCE. Later in the 1st millennium BCE, a fresh phase of urban growth began, especially in the fertile Ganga plains parts of the Indus basin, and nearby regions. 

This growth was supported by advances in agriculture, the use of iron tools, and the rise of trade. Gradually, these urban centres spread to other parts of the Indian subcontinent. Because it was the second major wave of city life after the Indus Valley Civilization historians call it the Second Urbanisation of India. The changes that started during this time laid the foundation for many features of Indian society and urban life that continue even today.

Question 2. Why were the janapads and mahajanapadas an im¬portant development in India’s early history?
Answer:  The rise of janapadas and mahajanapadas was an important step in India early history. They improved farming with better tools and methods, which increased food production. Trade also grew, as people began to exchange goods over larger areas. These states developed stronger political systems that brought order and stability. Together these changes helped in economic growth and led to the rise of new towns and cities.

Question 3. What kind of system of governance did they evolve?
Answer: The mahajanapadas followed two main systems of governance. Most of them were ruled by kings, which means they had a monarchical system. However, some were called ganas or sanghas, where decisions were made by an assembly of people instead of a single ruler. 

In these states leaders were chosen by the members of the assembly, and important matters were discussed together. This was one of the earliest examples of a republic or democratic style of government in the world.

Let’s Explore

Question 1. The most powerful of these new states were Maga- dha, Kosala, Vatsa and Avanti. Looking at the map, can you identify their capitals? Also, how many can you match with Indian cities of today? (page 70)

Answer: The capital of Magadha was first at Rajagriha (present-day Rajgir) and later shifted to Pataliputra (modern Patna, Bihar).
The capital of Kosala was Shravasti which is near today’s Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh and still known by the same name.
The capital of Vatsa was Kaushambi located close to present-day Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.
The capital of Avanti was Ujjayini which is now Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, a city still famous for its religious importance.

Question 2. Compare this map (see Fig. 4.3 in the chapter) with the map of the regions mentioned in the Mahabharata (see Fig. 5.4 in the chapter ’India, That Is Bharat’ in Grade 6) and list the names common to both maps. What do you think this implies? (page 70)
Answer: Some names common to both maps are Magadha, Kosala, Kuru, Panchala, Gandhara and Avanti.

This shows that many of the regions mentioned in the Mahabharata were not just part of legends but were also real historical places that later became powerful janapadas and mahajanapadas. It implies a connection between epic traditions and actual political geography in ancient India.

Question 3. Fill up the following table with a Yes (or tick mark) or No (or cross mark) in each square, which provides an interesting comparison between these two phases of Indian civilisation. (page 70)

Answer:

Question 4. Why should a complex society divide itself into such groups? Think about several possible factors why this happens. (page 76)
Answer: A complex society divides itself into groups to maintain order and manage different needs of the community. As people started living in larger settlements, different tasks had to be handled by different groups, such as farming, trade, crafts, governance and religion. This division made it easier to organize resources, share responsibilities, and allow people to specialize in their work. Over time such divisions also shaped social classes and professions.

Question 5. List other such professions you expect in a complex society of the 1st millennium BCE. (page 76)
Answer: In a complex society of the 1st millennium BCE, people had many different jobs. These included farmers, traders, soldiers, priests, scribes, metalworkers, stone masons and craftsmen. Each profession helped the society run smoothly and supported the growth of towns and cities. 

III. Think About It

Inequalities within society can exist in many forms. Have you encountered any incident where you or anyone you know might have been made to feel different from others? Do you think equality is desirable in a society? If so, why? Have you come across people or initiatives that lessened inequalities? (page 78)
Answer: Yes, inequalities exist in many forms, such as money, caste, gender, religion, language, or appearance. I have seen situations where people were treated differently because of where they came from or how they looked. 

For example a friend from a small town was sometimes teased for his accent which made him feel left out.

 I think equality is very important because everyone deserves respect and fair treatment. When people are treated equally they feel valued and confident to participate in society. There are also positive efforts to reduce inequalities, like schools giving scholarships to disadvantaged students or community programs providing education and healthcare. These actions help make society fairer and more inclusive.

Class 7 SST Chapter 4 New Beginnings Cities and States Question Answer (Exercise)

Question 1. Consider the quotation given below and discuss in several groups. Compare your observations and conclusions on what Kautilya recommends for a kingdom. Is it very different today?
The kingdom shall be protected by fortifying the capital and the towns at the frontiers. The land should not only be capable of sustaining the population but also outsiders in times of calamities. …… It should be beautiful, being endowed with cultivable land, mines, timber forests, elephant forests, and good pastures rich in cattle. It should not depend [only on] rain for water. It should have good roads and waterways. It should have a productive economy, with a wide variety of commodities….
_ Kautilya, Arthashastra
Answer:  Kautilya's advice in the Arthashastra is very thoughtful and still relevant today. He suggested that a kingdom should be well-protected by strengthening the capital and frontier towns. This meant building forts and planning defences carefully. Today, we follow a similar idea through national security, border management, disaster preparedness and even cybersecurity.

He also emphasized that the land should be able to support not just the population but also outsiders in times of crisis, like famine or war. In modern times, this is seen in food security programs, refugee support systems, emergency relief funds and disaster management measures.

Kautilya highlighted the importance of natural resources, such as fertile land, forests, pastures, mines, and water. He believed a kingdom’s strength depended on self-sufficiency. Today, countries continue to invest in agriculture, mining, renewable energy, and environmental conservation, reflecting his vision.

He advised good roads and waterways for trade and connectivity. Similarly, today’s economies rely on transport networks, logistics, and digital infrastructure to grow and stay connected.

Finally, Kautilya stressed a productive and diverse economy, which is key for stability and growth. Even now, countries focus on multiple sectors like agriculture, industry, services and technology to remain strong against challenges.

Question 2. According to the text, how were rulers chosen in early Vedic society?
Answer: In early Vedic society, rulers were not always chosen by inheritance. Leaders, called rajas, were often selected by the community, especially from the Kshatriya class, based on their bravery, wisdom, leadership skills, and ability to protect the people. 

Tribal assemblies like the sabha and samiti played an important role in choosing and supporting the ruler, representing the collective decision of the people. Priests, or Brahmins, performed rituals to approve the ruler, but they did not decide who became king. This system was more merit-based and democratic compared to later times when kingship was mostly passed down through families.

Question 3. Imagine you are a historian studying ancient India. What types of sources (archaeological, literary, etc.) would you use to learn more about the Mahajanapadas? Explain how each source might contribute to your understanding.
Answer: If I were a historian studying the Mahajanapadas of ancient India, I would use different types of sources to get a complete understanding.

1. Literary Sources: These include old texts, religious books, and historical writings. They give information about the names of the states, the way they were governed, their values, and sometimes conflicts between different Mahajanapadas.

2. Archaeological Sources: Excavations at ancient cities like Rajgir, Ujjain and Taxila reveal important details about city planning, forts, temples, and daily life. Objects like pottery, tools, ornaments, and weapons show the skills of people, their trade connections, and how they lived. These sources provide real physical evidence of life in those times.

3. Numismatic Sources (Coins): Coins, especially punch-marked coins tell us about the rulers, economic activities, trade and how states interacted with each other.

4. Epigraphic Sources (Inscriptions): Inscriptions on stones or pillars can provide information about the rulers, laws, donations and events that took place in the Mahajanapadas.

Question 4. Why was the development of iron metallurgy so important for the growth of urbanism in the 1 st mil¬lennium BCE? You may use points from the chapter but also from your knowledge or imagination.
Answer: The development of iron metallurgy in the 1st millennium BCE was very important for the growth of towns and cities in India. Iron tools and weapons were stronger and more durable than the earlier stone or copper ones, which made farming, building and forestry much more efficient. 

With better farming tools like ploughs and sickles, people could grow more food, which supported larger populations and helped towns to develop.

Iron also helped in the growth of crafts and trade. Blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, and other skilled workers could create better products using iron. As agriculture became stable, more people could focus on these non-farming jobs. Traders and craftsmen lived in towns where they could sell their goods, contributing to the rise of urban centres.

Finally, iron was used to make transport tools like wheels and carts, which improved trade and connectivity between regions. Cities often developed along trade routes, becoming important centres for commerce and administration. In this way the use of iron played a key role in the rise of urbanism in ancient India.

New Beginnings Cities and States Class 7 Chapter 4 PDF Download

Students can download the NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Social Science Chapter 4  New Beginnings Cities and States PDF from the link below.

This PDF provides easy-to-understand answers for all in-text and exercise questions, helping students study effectively, revise quickly, and prepare well for exams.

Benefits of Using NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Social Science Chapter 4

Here are the Benefits of Using NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Social Science Chapter 4 New Beginnings Cities and States. 

• Provides step-by-step answers to help students understand the rise of new cities, janapadas, mahajanapadas, governance systems, trade and society clearly.

• Helps revise important topics like the Second Urbanisation, the emergence of Mahajanapadas, early rulers, iron use and social organization for better exam performance.

• Students can use notes to quickly revise key points before tests.

• Solving exercises and previous years' questions helps understand the types of questions frequently asked in exams.

• Working on sample papers improves time management and exam readiness.

• Strengthens understanding of ancient Indian urban and political history which will also help in higher classes for history and social science studies.