Table of Contents
Chapter 6- Towns Traders and Craftspersons – Solved Worksheet
Fill in the Blanks
- The Rajarajeshvara temple was built in Thanjavur.
- Ajmer is associated with the Sufi saint Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti.
- Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.
- The Dutch established a settlement at Masulipatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
- The Lost Wax technique is used for making bronze and bell metal statues.
- The craftspersons of Bidar were famous for their inlay work in copper and silver, known as Bidri craft.
- Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.
- In Kabul, one of the key trades was in horses, and this route was crucial for horse trading.
- The Panchalas or Vishwakarma community included goldsmiths, bronze smiths, blacksmiths, masons, and carpenters.
- The Manigramam and Nanadesi guilds were prominent in South India from the 8th century onwards.
- The Anantraj Sagar Tank was built across the Maldevi river.
- Krishnadeva Raya built a massive lake near Vijayanagar for irrigation.
- Surat was known as the ‘gate to Mecca’ during the Mughal period.
- Masulipatnam was an important port in the 17th century on the delta of the Krishna River.
- Vasco da Gama reached Calicut in 1498 after sailing down the African coast.
True or False
- The Rajarajeshvara temple is renowned for its architecture. (True)
- Temples in Thanjavur played a pivotal role in urbanisation. (True)
- The clay-covered wax model in the Lost Wax technique is not heated. (False)
- In the 10th century, taxes in Rajasthan were collected by temple authorities. (True)
- The town of Thanjavur was famous for its weavers and sculptors. (True)
- The Rajarajeshvara temple in Thanjavur is known for its unique building technique using interlocking walls without mortar. (True)
- The markets of Hampi attracted only local traders and no foreign merchants. (False)
- Craftspersons were not involved in the construction of palaces and large structures. (False)
- The silk industry in Murshidabad declined due to competition from cheap mill-made cloth from England. (True)
- Traders often formed guilds for protection when travelling through different kingdoms or forests. (True)
- The Vijayanagara rulers were not interested in water management projects. (False)
- Surat was a key gateway for trade with West Asia during the Mughal period. (True)
- The English East India Company never established its headquarters in Bombay. (False)
- Columbus landed in the West Indies in 1492, mistaking them for the Indian subcontinent. (True)
- Masulipatnam declined due to the expansion of Mughal power and shift in European trading strategies. (True)
Question Answers
What was the role of temples in the towns like Thanjavur?
Temples were central to the economy and society, often receiving endowments from rulers for various activities.
How were craftspersons important in Thanjavur?
They were essential for the construction of temples and palaces, and also for the production of crafts like textiles and bronze statues.
Why was Thanjavur famous in terms of economic activities?
Thanjavur had vibrant markets and was known for its textiles, spices, and bronze idols.
What is the ‘Lost Wax’ technique?
It’s a process of creating metal statues where a wax model is covered in clay, melted away, and then replaced with molten metal.
How did small towns like Thanjavur emerge?
Many small towns emerged from large villages, often around marketplaces and artisan streets.
What were the types of taxes in 10th-century Rajasthan?
Taxes included both in-kind (goods like food items, textiles) and cash, collected by temple authorities.
What role did guilds play in the life of traders?
Guilds provided protection and a sense of community for traders, especially when travelling through various territories.
Why was Hampi considered a cultural and commercial hub?
Hampi was a bustling centre due to its vibrant markets, cultural activities in temples, and as a site for significant festivals like Mahanavami.
What contributed to the decline of Murshidabad?
The decline was mainly due to the competition from cheap, imported English cloth, which affected the local silk industry.
Why were the Banjaras notable in the chapter?
The Banjaras were mentioned as a significant group of traders, known for their unique trading practices.
What kind of goods were traded from Kabul?
Goods included dried fruits, dates, carpets, silks, fresh fruits, and even slaves.
How did European market impact influence international trade?
Indian spices and cloth reached European markets, leading to high profits and eventually attracting European traders to India.
What was the significance of the Anantraj Sagar Tank?
It was a crucial water storage facility, built for managing seasonal rainfall effectively.
How did Krishnadeva Raya contribute to water management in Vijayanagar?
He created a massive lake for irrigation by building a huge stone embankment, which helped in agricultural activities.
Why was Surat referred to as the ‘gate to Mecca’?
Many pilgrim ships set sail from Surat to Mecca, making it a key point on the pilgrimage route.
What role did European companies play in Masulipatnam?
The Dutch and English East India Companies aimed to control the port due to its strategic importance in trade.
What challenges did Vasco da Gama face during his voyage to India?
He faced a perilous journey where he lost two of his four ships, and only 54 out of 170 men survived.
How did Christopher Columbus’s voyage impact the New World?
Columbus’s landing in the West Indies led to European expansion in Central and South America, often destroying earlier settlements.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
The Rajarajeshvara temple in Thanjavur was built near the river:
a) Yamuna
b) Ganges
c) Kaveri
d) Godavari
Correct Answer: c) Kaveri
Which technique was used for making Chola bronze statues?
a) Carving
b) Lost Wax
c) Forging
d) Moulding
Correct Answer: b) Lost Wax
What were the temples in Thanjavur endowed with?
a) Only land
b) Only money
c) Both land and money
d) Neither land nor money
Correct Answer: c) Both land and money
Which of the following was not a craft in Thanjavur?
a) Weaving
b) Sculpting
c) Shipbuilding
d) Pottery
Correct Answer: c) Shipbuilding
What was a key feature of the architecture in Hampi?
a) Use of steel
b) Mortar in construction
c) Interlocking techniques without mortar
d) Concrete structures
Correct Answer: c) Interlocking techniques without mortar
Which community was involved in temple building and crafting in Thanjavur?
a) Banjaras
b) Chettiars
c) Panchalas or Vishwakarma
d) Marwari Oswal
Correct Answer: c) Panchalas or Vishwakarma
The ‘Lost Wax’ technique is primarily used for making:
a) Pottery
b) Textiles
c) Bronze and bell metal statues
d) Wooden sculptures
Correct Answer: c) Bronze and bell metal statues
Which of the following cities was known for its horse trade in the 16th and 17th centuries?
a) Thanjavur
b) Murshidabad
c) Hampi
d) Kabul
Correct Answer: d) Kabul
What was the primary purpose of the water tanks and canals built by the Vijayanagara rulers?
a) Decoration
b) Defence
c) Irrigation
d) Fishing
Correct Answer: c) Irrigation
Which European power first established a trading post in Surat?
a) French
b) Dutch
c) English
d) Portuguese
Correct Answer: d) Portuguese
Which city was known for its horse trade in the 16th and 17th centuries?
a) Vijayanagar
b) Surat
c) Masulipatnam
d) Kabul
Correct Answer: d) Kabul
Where did Columbus land in 1492, leading to European expansion in the Americas?
a) Indian subcontinent
b) West Indies
c) Africa
d) Australia
Correct Answer: b) West Indies
Also Check – Chapter 6- TOWNS, TRADERS AND CRAFTSPERSONS – Complete Notes
