What Is an Empire?
Class 7 Social Science · Chapter 5: The Rise of Empires · NCERT Exploring Society: India and Beyond section 5.1
Learn
On a school trip to the Bihar Museum in Patna, Meher stands before a huge polished stone figure and a model of an ancient city with wooden walls, watchtowers and a moat. "This was Pāṭaliputra," says the guide, "capital of an empire so large it took about two months on horseback to reach its borders." "Bigger than a kingdom?" asks Kabir. "Much bigger. It was an empire."
"Empire" comes from the Latin imperium, "supreme power". An empire is a collection of smaller kingdoms or territories under one powerful ruler, often won through war. The smaller rulers kept governing but became tributaries (vassals), paying tribute (gold, grain, livestock, elephants) and accepting the emperor as overlord. Sanskrit words for emperor include samrāj (lord of all), adhirāja (overlord) and rājādhirāja (king of kings).
An empire usually keeps an army, runs an administration that collects taxes and keeps order, makes laws, issues coins and standard weights, controls resources like mines and forests, builds roads and other infrastructure, and supports art, learning and religions. Why take on all this? For fame, power, wealth and control of resources. Empires expanded mainly by war, but also by controlling rivers and trade networks.
Explore: what does an empire do?
- Sort each feature.
Remember
- An empire is many kingdoms or territories under one supreme ruler, with tributary rulers paying tribute.
- Empires keep armies, administrations, laws, coins, roads and control resources.
Quick check
A ruler who accepts an emperor as overlord and pays tribute is called …
- a tributary or vassal
- a satrap of Greece
- a guild head
- a monk
Answer
a tributary or vassal. Tributaries kept ruling their lands in return for loyalty.
Think about it
How might an emperor keep people of many languages and customs living in harmony?
One answer
By respecting local customs and rulers, being fair in justice and taxes, protecting trade, and promoting tolerance and welfare for all.
Practice
Practise with fresh questions at three levels (easy, medium, hard), some answered hands-on, with hints and worked answers. Get 4 of your last 5 right to finish the topic.