Social Science
Class VII
Chapter 6 History
Towns, Traders and Craftsperson
Solution Part II
Q1. Answer the following questions very briefly:
A. Name two pilgrimage centers that slowly developed into township.
Ans: Varindavan in Uttar Pradesh and Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu are two
pilgrimage centers which slowly developed into township.
B. Which technique was used in making Chola bronze statues?
Ans. Chola statues were made by using the ‘lost wax’ technique.
C. Give an example of temple town.
Ans: Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, Kancipuram and Madurai in Tamil Nadu are
examples of temple town.
D. Which city is called the Gateway to the West??
Ans: Surat is called the Gateway to the West.
E. What is meant by haat?
Ans: Haat or Hatta are the market streets with lined shops.
F. Which famous lake is situated in Ajmer?
Ans: The famous Pushkar Lake is situated in Ajmer.
Q2. Answer the following questions briefly:
A. What were the ‘Black Towns’? Who lived in the ‘Black Towns’ in cities such as
Bombay?
1
Ans: Black towns were the small settlements established by European
companies in the newly emerged cities of 18th century such as Bombay, Calcutta
and Madras. The black or the native traders or craft persons were confined in
these towns.
B. Describe the various activities of small towns.
Ans: Small towns generally emerged during the 18th century in the subcontinent.
These towns usually had a mandapika (mandi) which were used for buying and
selling the products brought from nearby villagers. Also there were market
streets known as hatta or haat. Other streets were accommodated by different
kind of artisans like, toddy makers, smith, stone mason etc. products like horses,
salt; camphor, saffron, betel nut and pepper were sold here.
Q2. Answer the following questions in detail:
1. Why did Surat begin to decline towards the end of the 17th century?
Ans: Surat in Gujarat was considered as the emporium of western trade during
the Mughal reign. Surat began to decline towards the end of the 17th century
because of many factors.
The loss of markets and productivity because of the decline of the Mughal
Empire.
Control over the sea routes by Portuguese and competition from Bombay
(Mumbai) where English East India Company shifted its head quarter in
1668.
2. How did ‘Temple town’ emerge?
Ans: Temples were important centers of urbanization in the 18th century. They
were considered as important centers for economy and society. These were built
by the rulers of the period in order to demonstrate their devotion. These temples
were endowed with the grants and money sanctioned by the rulers. Along with
the pilgrims who came to pay visit to the lord used to donate to the temple funds.
All the grants and donations were used by the temple authorities to finance trade
and banking.
Generally these temples became the centers around which a large number of
priests, workers, artisans, traders etc. started to settle around it in order to cater
the needs of the pilgrims. Thus temple town started emerging around the
important temples.
