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New Beginnings: Cities and States — Syllabus

CBSE · Class 7 · Social Science

What New Beginnings: Cities and States covers in CBSE Class 7 Social Science: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session.

44 questions60 flashcards5 concepts

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4 Topics · CBSE Class 7 Social Science · 2026-27

Topics in New Beginnings: Cities and States

1

1. From the First Urbanisation to the Second Urbanisation

  • The Harappan civilisation disintegrated in the early 2nd millennium BCE.
  • For about a thousand years, urban life remained absent from India.
  • A new phase of urbanisation began in the 1st millennium BCE in the Ganga plains, parts of the Indus basin, and nearby regions.
2

2. Janapadas and Mahajanapadas

  • Towards the end of the 2nd millennium BCE, clans and groups settled in territories called janapadas.
  • A janapada was a region where people had settled down.
  • As trade expanded, some janapadas became larger and merged into mahajanapadas.
3

3. Early Democratic Traditions

  • Each janapada had an assembly or council called sabha or samiti.
  • Important matters were discussed in these assemblies.
  • The raja was expected to take advice from the assembly, ministers, and administrators.
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4. Fortified Cities and Duties of Kings

  • Many mahajanapada capitals were large, well-fortified cities.
  • A moat often surrounded the fortifications as extra defence.
  • Gateway openings were narrow so that movement of people and goods could be controlled.

Key Concepts

Central concept: The rise of janapadas and mahajanapadas and the Second Urbanisation in India

Second UrbanisationJanapadasMahajanapadasMonarchiesGaṇa or SaṅghaUrban growthIron technologyTrade networks

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in New Beginnings: Cities and States for CBSE Class 7 Social Science?
Key topics in New Beginnings: Cities and States include From the First Urbanisation to the Second Urbanisation, Janapadas and Mahajanapadas, Early Democratic Traditions, Fortified Cities and Duties of Kings. Study these first, then practise questions on each for Class 7 exams.
How should I revise New Beginnings: Cities and States for Class 7 exams?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 44 practice questions on New Beginnings: Cities and States. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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