Mahajanapada refers to the sixteen ancient kingdoms or republics that existed in the Indian subcontinent before the rise of the Mauryan Empire. These mahajanapadas played a significant role in shaping early Indian history and politics.
yes it is a mahajanapada.
Lichchhavis were a republican mahajanapada and were ruled by a group elected by the common people.There were no king.
During the Mahajanapada period in ancient India, taxes were collected in various forms such as produce, cattle, and goods. The tax rates varied depending on the region and the ruler, but commonly ranged from one-sixth to one-fourth of the produce.
Yes, ancient Indians did have currency. Initially, they used barter systems for trade, but over time, metal coins made of gold, silver, and copper emerged as a standardized medium of exchange. The earliest known coins in India date back to the 6th century BCE, during the Mahajanapada period, with notable examples like the punch-marked coins. These coins facilitated commerce and contributed to the development of trade networks across the region.
Sanskrit was the language of Greater India, Vedic India (same thing), and Greater Iran. It was the language of the Vedas. It was closely tied with its counterpart, Avestan, the official language of Greater Iran and the Avesta. Sanskrit is still spoken today in India, numbering in about 10,000 active, fluent speakers. It originated before the Mahajanapada times of Ancient India. It was first used for Vedic culture, which again, sprouted in Greater India (composite of today's North India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan).