NCERT Class 6 History — Chapter 5: Kingdoms, kings and an early republic

mcqeasy

In the context of the Mahajanapada economy, who were the Kammakaras?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

ALandless agricultural labourers.
BWealthy merchants who controlled the guilds.
CSoldiers in the standing army.
DOfficials responsible for tax collection.

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is

Landless agricultural labourers.

Explanation

During the Mahajanapada period (c. 600–300 BCE), the expansion of iron-plough agriculture led to the development of a stratified agrarian economy. Buddhist Pali texts provide detailed insights into the rural social structure, distinguishing between landowners and the labor force required to cultivate large tracts of land.

Detailed Analysis

The term Kammakaras refers to landless agricultural labourers who worked on the fields of others for wages. Their status and role can be understood through the following points:

Nature of Work: Unlike the Gahapatis (wealthy landowner-farmers), Kammakaras did not own land. They earned their livelihood by selling their labor, primarily in agricultural activities.
Social Status: They are frequently mentioned in Buddhist literature alongside Dasas (slaves). The compound term dasa-kammakara is often used to describe the workforce employed by wealthy landowners to cultivate their estates.
Distinction from Slaves: While Dasas were unfree labor (slaves), Kammakaras were free laborers who worked for wages (hired workers), though their economic condition was often precarious.

Incorrect Options:

Wealthy merchants who controlled the guilds.: Wealthy merchants were typically referred to as Setthis.
Officials responsible for tax collection.: Officials responsible for tax collection were known as Balishadhakas or Shaulkikas.
Soldiers in the standing army.: Soldiers were part of the standing army, often referred to as Bhatas or part of the Sena.

Key Takeaway:

Kammakaras were free, landless agricultural labourers in the Mahajanapada economy who worked for wages on the lands of Gahapatis, distinct from unfree slaves (Dasas).

Your note

More from Chapter 5: Kingdoms, kings and an early republic

With reference to the political changes around 3000 years ago in the Indian subcontinent, consider the following statements regarding the Ashvamedha sacrifice: 1. The horse let loose was guarded by the raja’s men and allowed to wander freely. 2. If a rival king allowed the horse to pass, it signified his challenge to the authority of the raja performing the sacrifice. 3. Ordinary people, known as the vish or vaishya, were strictly prohibited from bringing gifts to the sacrifice. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding the Varna system described by the priests in the Later Vedic books: 1. The Kshatriyas and Vaishyas were both eligible to perform sacrifices. 2. The Shudras were the only group explicitly excluded from studying the Vedas. 3. The classification of Varnas was strictly based on the occupation chosen by an individual in adulthood. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding the taxation system in the Mahajanapadas: 1. The tax on crops was the most important source of revenue and was fixed at one-sixth of the produce. 2. Herders were exempted from taxation as they did not own land. 3. Hunters and gatherers provided forest produce as a form of tax to the raja. 4. Craftspersons paid taxes in the form of labor, such as working for the king for a day every month. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the agricultural changes around 2500 years ago, consider the following statements: 1. The use of iron ploughshares allowed heavy, clayey soil to be turned over better than wooden ploughshares. 2. The technique of transplanting paddy was introduced to increase production. 3. The agricultural labor for these new methods was primarily provided by the Kshatriya landowners themselves. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

The term ‘Bhaga’ in the context of the Mahajanapadas refers to:

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Correct Option

The correct option is

Landless agricultural labourers.

Explanation

Detailed Analysis

The term Kammakaras refers to landless agricultural labourers who worked on the fields of others for wages. Their status and role can be understood through the following points:

Nature of Work: Unlike the Gahapatis (wealthy landowner-farmers), Kammakaras did not own land. They earned their livelihood by selling their labor, primarily in agricultural activities.
Social Status: They are frequently mentioned in Buddhist literature alongside Dasas (slaves). The compound term dasa-kammakara is often used to describe the workforce employed by wealthy landowners to cultivate their estates.
Distinction from Slaves: While Dasas were unfree labor (slaves), Kammakaras were free laborers who worked for wages (hired workers), though their economic condition was often precarious.

Incorrect Options:

Wealthy merchants who controlled the guilds.: Wealthy merchants were typically referred to as Setthis.
Officials responsible for tax collection.: Officials responsible for tax collection were known as Balishadhakas or Shaulkikas.
Soldiers in the standing army.: Soldiers were part of the standing army, often referred to as Bhatas or part of the Sena.

Key Takeaway:

Kammakaras were free, landless agricultural labourers in the Mahajanapada economy who worked for wages on the lands of Gahapatis, distinct from unfree slaves (Dasas).