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Kings, Farmers and Towns (Early States and Economies) (c.600 BCE-600 CE) — Syllabus

Madhya Pradesh Board · Class 12 · History

What Kings, Farmers and Towns (Early States and Economies) (c.600 BCE-600 CE) covers in Madhya Pradesh Board Class 12 History: 4 topics, for the 2026-27.

51 questions96 flashcards5 concepts

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A timeline illustrating key developments in early Indian history, including the end of Harappan civilization, composition of Rigveda, emergence of agricultural settlements, megalithic burials, and the
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4 Topics · Madhya Pradesh Board Class 12 History · 2026-27

Topics in Kings, Farmers and Towns (Early States and Economies) (c.600 BCE-600 CE)

1

1. Sources for Early Indian History

  • Historians use inscriptions, texts, coins, sculpture, and archaeology to study early states and economies.
  • James Prinsep deciphered Asokan Brahmi in 1838, which opened up a new understanding of early inscriptions.
  • The earliest inscriptions were in Prakrit, not Sanskrit.
2

2. Mahajanapadas and Early Political Forms

  • The sixth century BCE was a major turning point in early Indian history.
  • Sixteen mahajanapadas are mentioned in early Buddhist and Jaina texts.
  • Magadha became the most powerful mahajanapada between the sixth and the fourth centuries BCE.
3

3. The Mauryan Empire

  • The Mauryan Empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya c. 321 BCE.
  • Chandragupta Maurya extended control as far as Afghanistan and Baluchistan.
  • The Mauryan Empire lasted for about 150 years.
4

4. New Notions of Kingship and Divine Status

  • From the second century BCE onwards, new chiefdoms and kingdoms emerged in the Deccan and further south.
  • Chiefs received gifts from subordinates, while kings usually collected taxes.
  • Chiefdoms generally did not have regular armies or officials.

Key Concepts

Central concept: The growth of early states, rural society, trade, coinage, inscriptions, and new forms of kingship in the subcontinent

Early states and mahajanapadasMagadha and the Mauryan EmpireSources for early Indian historyAsokan inscriptions and dhammaChiefs and kings in the Deccan and southDivine kingship and titlesAgriculture and rural societyLand grants and new rural elites

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Kings, Farmers and Towns (Early States and Economies) (c.600 BCE-600 CE) for Madhya Pradesh Board Class 12 History?
Key topics in Kings, Farmers and Towns (Early States and Economies) (c.600 BCE-600 CE) include Sources for Early Indian History, Mahajanapadas and Early Political Forms, The Mauryan Empire, New Notions of Kingship and Divine Status. Study these first, then practise questions on each for the Madhya Pradesh Board Class 12 board exam.
How should I revise Kings, Farmers and Towns (Early States and Economies) (c.600 BCE-600 CE) for the Madhya Pradesh Board Class 12 board exam?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 51 practice questions on Kings, Farmers and Towns (Early States and Economies) (c.600 BCE-600 CE). 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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