Study the picture and answer the following questions:

(a) How did the implements in the picture lead to the production of surplus food grains?

(b) Explain briefly the role of these implements in the formation of janapadas.

(c) Give three reasons for the emergence of Magadha as a powerful mahajanapada in the 6th century BCE.

(a) The people in the Later Vedic Age began using implements and tools made of iron. These iron tools helped them to clear forests bringing more land under cultivation. This resulted in surplus production of food grains.

(b) The use of iron implements lead to the production of surplus food grains. As a result, the people began to lead a settled life and expanded further in neighbouring areas. Such expansion resulted in wars between different tribes. In the wars, the larger and more powerful tribes defeated the smaller ones and expanded their territory and created large kingdoms. These kingdoms were called Janapadas.

(c) The three reasons for the emergence of Magadha as a powerful Mahajanapada in the 6th century BCE were as follows:

1. Magadha was located at the centre of the Gangetic plain where the soil was fertile. Due to heavy rains cultivation was possible even without irrigation. This led to surplus production which was taken by the kings as taxes and used to maintain a large army.
2. Magadha had rich deposits of iron which could be used to make better weapons and agriculture tools.
3. Magadha was ruled by very powerful and ambitious rulers like Bimbisara, Ajatashatru and Mahapadma Nanda. These rulers made all efforts to enlarge their kingdoms.