Short & Long Questions: Life in Towns and Villages | Footprints Class 6: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

Short Answer Questions

Q1: What is urbanisation?
Ans: Urbanisation is the shift from living in villages to towns or cities.

Q2: Name some towns that emerged during the Second Urbanisation in India.
Ans: Rajagriha (now Rajgir), Pataliputra (now Patna), Vaishali, Banams (now Varanasi), Mathura, Kaushambi, Ayodhya, and Kapilavastu.

Q3: What were the two types of guilds during the Second Urbanisation?
Ans: Merchant guilds and craft guilds.

Q4: What were some major imports and exports during this period of flourishing trade?
Ans: Imports included wine, copper, tin, lead, coral, topaz, gold, and silver coins. Exports included cotton, woollen and silk cloth, spices, essences, oils, ivory goods, pearls, and gems.

Q5: What was the significance of punch-marked coins during this time?
Ans: Punch-marked coins were widely used as a medium of exchange, and kings received taxes from merchants in the form of these coins.

Long Answer Questions

Q1: Explain the role of guilds during the Second Urbanisation.
Ans: Guilds were groups of traders and artisans that provided technical training, collected raw materials, and distributed finished products. They had their own leaders and played a crucial role in the growth of towns and cities.

Q2: Describe the features of urban centres during the Second Urbanisation.
Ans: Urban centres saw a boom in population and trade. Many of these cities were capitals of janapadas and mahajanapadas. Some grew around important trade routes. They were hubs of economic activity and cultural exchange.

Q3: Who were some of the key figures in village life during this period?
Ans: The village headman, called the grama bhojaka or gramika, was an important figure. He collected taxes, settled disputes, and managed the village. Other key figures included big landowners (grihapatis), farmers, workers, cattle grazers, herders, and artisans.

Q4: Explain the significance of Sangam Literature in understanding South Indian society during this period.
Ans: Sangam Literature provides valuable insights into the lives of people in South India. It mentions different classes of people like vellalars, uzhavars, kadai siyars, and adimai, giving us a picture of the social structure and occupations.

Q5: How did trade contribute to the prosperity of kingdoms like the Cholas, Pandyas, and Cheras in Tamilakam?
Ans: Trade was a major source of revenue for these kingdoms. They encouraged both internal and overseas trade, leading to a strong economy. Valuable goods like spices, pearls, and cloth were traded with Rome, bringing in wealth and prosperity.