NCERT Solutions for Class 12 History Chapter 2 kings Farmers and Towns

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 History Chapter 2 are an important resource for students preparing under the CBSE Class 12 syllabus. Many students often struggle to understand the complex relationships between kings, farmers, towns, and early states, and how social, economic, and political changes shaped life between 600 BCE and 600 CE. 

Remembering key concepts, connecting historical events with economic and social developments, and analyzing inscriptions or archaeological evidence can be particularly challenging as the CBSE Class 12th Board approaches.  

These NCERT solutions provide clear explanations, help resolve doubts, and allow students to revise effectively so they can confidently answer questions on craft production, mahajanapadas, administration, kingship, and agricultural transformations.

Kings Farmers and Towns Class 12 Question Answers

The following are the NCERT textbook questions for Class 12 History Chapter 2, along with detailed solutions. These answers will help you understand key concepts, revise effectively, and prepare confidently for your board exams.

1. Discuss the evidence of craft production in Early Historic cities. In what ways is this different from the evidence from Harappan cities?

Widespread and deep excavations in the early historic towns have not been possible because these towns are still inhabited. In contrast, the Harappan Civilisation benefited from large-scale excavations. Despite this limitation, many artefacts have been found in historic towns, revealing the craftsmanship of the time. Key evidence includes:

1. Fine pottery bowls and dishes, often glossy, known as Northern Black Polished Ware, were likely used by the wealthy.

2. Ornaments, tools, weapons, vessels, and figurines made of gold, silver, copper, bronze, ivory, glass, shell, and terracotta.

3. Inscriptions reveal the presence of various professionals and craftsmen, including washermen, weavers, scribes, carpenters, goldsmiths, and ironsmiths. Unlike Harappan towns, there is evidence of iron usage.

4. Craftsmen organized themselves into guilds that collectively purchased raw materials, produced goods, and marketed them.

2. Describe the salient features of mahajanapadas.

The salient features of mahajanapadas include:

• The prominent mahajanapadas were Vajji, Magadha, Koshala, Kuru, Panchala, Gandhara, and Avanti.

• Most were ruled by kings, while some, known as ganas or sanghas, were oligarchies with shared power among multiple rulers.

• In certain cases, as with the Vajji sangha, land and resources were controlled collectively.

• Each mahajanapada had a fortified capital city.

• Brahmanas composed the Dharmasutras, which outlined norms for rulers and society. Kings were generally expected to be Kshatriyas and collected taxes from farmers, traders, and artisans.

• Raids on neighboring states were recognized as a legitimate means of acquiring wealth.

• Some states gradually developed standing armies and bureaucracies, while others relied on militias from the peasantry.

3. How do historians reconstruct the lives of ordinary people?

Since ordinary people did not leave written records, historians rely on multiple sources to reconstruct their lives:

1. Remains of houses and pottery provide insights into daily life.

2. Inscriptions and scriptures discuss relations between rulers and subjects, taxes, and the welfare of common people.

3. Tools used by craftsmen and farmers indicate lifestyle and technology.

4. Folklores and oral traditions also serve as historical evidence of societal norms and practices.

4. Compare and contrast the list of things given to the Pandyan chief (Source 3) with those produced in the village of Danguna (Source 8). Do you notice any similarities and differences?

Gifts given to the Pandya chief included ivory, fragrant wood, honey, sandalwood, pepper, flowers, and various birds and animals. The village of Danguna produced grass, animal skins, flowers, salt, and other minerals. The only item common to both lists is flowers, showing a difference in scale and type of production, with the Pandya gifts reflecting luxury items and Danguna’s output reflecting everyday village resources.

5. List some of the problems faced by epigraphists.

• Letters in inscriptions are often faintly engraved, making reconstruction uncertain.

• Inscriptions may be damaged or partially missing.

• Words in inscriptions can be place- or time-specific, leading to multiple interpretations.

• Many discovered inscriptions remain undeciphered, unpublished, or untranslated.

• Numerous inscriptions that once existed have been lost over time.

• Not all aspects of daily life, such as routine agricultural practices or personal experiences, are recorded in inscriptions.

6. Discuss the main features of Mauryan administration. Which of these elements are evident in the Asokan inscriptions that you have studied?

• Five major political centres: Pataliputra (capital), Taxila, Ujjayini, Tosali, and Suvamagiri.

• Well-established land and riverine communication systems.

• Provisions and protection for travellers on long journeys.

• Large standing army with committees coordinating different military sections: navy, transport/provisions, foot soldiers, horses, chariots, and elephants.

• Asokan inscriptions confirm the existence of these five major political centres.

7. This is a statement made by one of the best-known epigraphists of the twentieth century, D.C. Sircar: “There is no aspect of life, culture, activities of the Indians that is not reflected in inscriptions.” Discuss.

Inscriptions provide information on almost every facet of life in ancient India:

1. Determination of state boundaries through inscriptions near borders.

2. Names of kings and their titles, such as those of Ashoka.

3. Important historical events, e.g., the Kalinga war and Ashoka’s adoption of Dhamma.

4. Conduct and character of kings, highlighting welfare-oriented policies.

5. Administrative practices, including appointments of officials like viceroys.

6. Land settlements, gifts, and taxation details.

D.C. Sircar’s observation holds because inscriptions touch upon governance, culture, economy, and daily life.

8. Discuss the notions of kingship that developed in the post-Mauryan period.

• Kushan Kings: Claimed divine status as Devputra and constructed large statues of themselves in temples.

• Gupta Rulers: Oversaw large states dependent on powerful Samantas, who sometimes challenged the king’s authority.

• Literature, coins, and inscriptions often praised rulers while providing insights into the political and cultural life of the period, such as Harisena’s praise of Samudragupta.

9. To what extent were agricultural practices transformed in the period under consideration?

• The demand for taxes increased post-600 BCE, prompting farmers to boost productivity without reducing yields.

• Use of plough: Became widespread, especially in Ganga and Cauvery basins. Iron-tipped ploughs increased paddy production.

• Use of spade: Adopted in areas with harsh soil.

• Artificial irrigation: Farmers dug wells, ponds, and canals to supplement rainfall.

• Increased production led to a new social strata. Buddhist literature and Tamil texts describe small and large farmers (Grihpatis), with hereditary village head positions and the growing importance of land ownership.

Tips for Students to Remember Important Events of Chapter 2 in Board Exams

To help students revise efficiently for the board exams, it is important to focus on key events, developments, and evidence discussed in the NCERT Solutions for Class 12 History Chapter 2. These tips highlight the crucial points that are often asked in questions, making it easier to remember and recall during exams.

• The 6th Century BCE Pivot: Always remember 6th century BCE as the "era of change" by linking four things: The rise of Mahajanapadas, the start of coinage (Punch-marked coins), the spread of iron, and the emergence of Buddhism/Jainism.

• The "North-South" Contrast: When studying kingship, create a mental map. In the North, focus on the Kushanas and their "Divine Kingship" statues. In the South, focus on the Chiefdoms (Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas) and their "Gift-based" authority.

• Decipherment Chronology: Remember the year 1838 and the name James Prinsep. Link this to the scripts Brahmi and Kharosthi. Knowing who unlocked the script helps you explain how we know about Ashoka today.

• Agricultural Stratification: Don't just learn "farming." Use specific terms like Gahapati (head of household/small farmer), Vellalar (large landowners), and Adimai (slaves). Using these terms in your answer shows the examiner you have read the NCERT text deeply.

• Visual Landmarks: Associate the Mauryan administration with the 5 Political Centers. Memorize them in pairs: Taxila & Ujjayini (trade routes), Suvarnagiri (gold mines), and Pataliputra (central hub).

• The "Samanta" Concept: For the Gupta period, understand the Samanta system as a "Power Balance." A Samanta was a subordinate who provided soldiers; if the king was weak, the Samanta became the king. This explains the rise and fall of dynasties in this period.

Class 12 Study Resources