Chapter 5 of the new NCERT Class 9 Social Science textbook is State and Society up to 1000 CE, part of the History section. It traces how political systems and society developed in the Indian subcontinent from the Vedic period through early empires.
From Small Groups to Empires
Q: How did political organisation evolve from the early Vedic period to later centuries?
A: It evolved from small kin-based groups (jana, kula) to larger territorial states called janapadas and mahajanapadas, and eventually to major empires such as the Mauryas and Guptas.
Social Structure
Q: What were the varna and jati systems?
A: They were systems that organised Indian society broadly by occupation and community; the varna system referred to four broad social categories, while jati referred to more specific community/occupational groups.
Administration
Q: How were early Indian states typically administered?
A: Kings ruled with the help of ministers, officials, and councils, and administration was often organised in a decentralised way through provinces, districts, and villages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sources help historians study this period?
Historians use a combination of archaeological evidence and literary sources, such as the Rigveda and other early texts, to study this period.
What is meant by the idea of a “chakravarti samrat”?
It refers to the political ideal of a paramount or universal ruler whose authority was recognised over a wide territory, an ideal that recurs through this period of Indian history.
Class 9 Social Science Chapter 5 – More Resources
See the Class 9 Social Science NCERT Book for the full chapter list and official PDF downloads.
