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State and Society up to 1000 CE – Class 9 Social Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 9 Social Science, chapter 5. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

From small tribal groups, Indian society moved to janapadas, mahajanapadas and large empires such as the Mauryas and Guptas, followed by many regional kingdoms. Rulers developed systems of administration, taxation and law, while society saw the growth of trade, towns, religions such as Buddhism and Jainism, and great achievements in learning, art and science.

From janapadas to empires

By about the 6th century BCE there were sixteen mahajanapadas; Magadha became the most powerful.
Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire; Ashoka, after the Kalinga war (about 261 BCE), spread dhamma through edicts.
The Gupta period (4th–6th centuries CE) is known for achievements in science, literature and art.

Regional kingdoms

After the Guptas, regional powers such as the Pallavas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Palas and Cholas rose.
In Odisha, Kharavela of the Mahameghavahana dynasty is known from the Hathigumpha inscription; later the Bhauma-Karas and Somavamshis ruled.
Kings gave land grants to temples and Brahmins, recorded on copper plates.

Society, economy and culture

Agriculture was the base of the economy; trade with Rome, South-East Asia and China flourished through ports.
Buddhism and Jainism arose in the 6th century BCE; Nalanda became a famous centre of learning.
Aryabhata explained the rotation of the Earth; Kalidasa wrote Abhijnanashakuntalam; the decimal place-value system with zero developed in India.

Key terms

Mahajanapada: one of the sixteen large kingdoms or republics of ancient India
Dhamma: Ashoka's code of moral conduct based on tolerance, non-violence and respect
Edict: an official order of a ruler, often inscribed on rocks or pillars
Land grant: land given by a king to temples, Brahmins or officials, recorded on copper plates
Inscription: writing carved on stone, metal or other hard surfaces

Important questions with answers

What was Ashoka's dhamma?2 marks

Ashoka's dhamma was a code of moral conduct that he adopted after the Kalinga war. It emphasised non-violence, tolerance of all religions, respect for elders, kindness to servants and animals, and welfare of the people. He spread it through edicts on rocks and pillars.

Why is the Gupta period often remembered for its achievements?3 marks

During the Gupta period, Aryabhata explained the rotation of the Earth and eclipses, mathematicians used the decimal place-value system with zero, Kalidasa wrote famous plays and poems, and beautiful temples, sculptures and the Ajanta paintings were made. Trade and learning also flourished.

Trace the growth of states in India from the mahajanapadas to the regional kingdoms up to 1000 CE.5 marks

By the 6th century BCE, there were sixteen mahajanapadas, which were large kingdoms or republics. Among them Magadha became the strongest because of fertile land, iron resources and able rulers. Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire around 321 BCE with Chanakya's help. His grandson Ashoka expanded it but, after the bloody Kalinga war, gave up conquest and spread dhamma through edicts. After the Mauryas, kingdoms such as the Shungas, Satavahanas and Kushanas arose, and Kharavela ruled Kalinga, as recorded in the Hathigumpha inscription. The Gupta Empire from the 4th to 6th century CE saw great achievements in science, literature and art. Harsha ruled in the north in the 7th century. Regional kingdoms then grew powerful, such as the Pallavas and Chalukyas in the south and Deccan, the Rashtrakutas, the Palas in Bengal, the Bhauma-Karas and Somavamshis in Odisha, and the Cholas. Kings developed administration, collected taxes and gave land grants recorded on copper plates, while trade, temples and centres of learning like Nalanda flourished.

Quick revision

Sixteen mahajanapadas; Magadha strongest.
Mauryas: Chandragupta, Ashoka, dhamma.
Guptas: science, literature, art; Aryabhata, Kalidasa.
Kharavela: Hathigumpha inscription, Odisha.

Exam tips

Make a timeline: mahajanapadas → Mauryas → post-Mauryan kingdoms → Guptas → regional kingdoms.
Remember one ruler and one achievement for each dynasty.

Practice MCQs

The most powerful mahajanapada was
1. Kashi
2. Avanti
3. Kosala
4. Magadha
Show answer
Answer: (d) Magadha. It grew into an empire.
The founder of the Mauryan Empire was
1. Ashoka
2. Samudragupta
3. Chandragupta Maurya
4. Harsha
Show answer
Answer: (c) Chandragupta Maurya. He was guided by Chanakya.
Ashoka changed his policy after the war of
1. Panipat
2. Kalinga
3. Plassey
4. Haldighati
Show answer
Answer: (b) Kalinga. The war took place in present-day Odisha.
The Hathigumpha inscription tells us about
1. Kharavela
2. Ashoka
3. Harsha
4. Rajaraja Chola
Show answer
Answer: (a) Kharavela. It is near Bhubaneswar.
Which astronomer of the Gupta age said that the Earth rotates on its axis
1. Kalidasa
2. Panini
3. Kautilya
4. Aryabhata
Show answer
Answer: (d) Aryabhata. He wrote the Aryabhatiya.
Nalanda was famous as a
1. port
2. market
3. fort
4. centre of learning
Show answer
Answer: (d) centre of learning. Students came from many countries.
Why did kings record land grants on copper plates
1. to provide a lasting legal record of the grant
2. they were cheap toys
3. to decorate palaces
4. to pay soldiers
Show answer
Answer: (a) to provide a lasting legal record of the grant. Copper does not decay easily.
Ashoka's dhamma mainly emphasised
1. conquest by war
2. high taxes
3. worship of one god only
4. tolerance, non-violence and respect for all
Show answer
Answer: (d) tolerance, non-violence and respect for all. He spread it through edicts.

All chapters of Class 9 Social Science

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.