Textbook Solutions: Contact with Distant Lands | Footprints Class 6: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

I. Tick (✔) the correct option. 

1.
Ans: (a)
Karur, also known as Vanji, was the Chera capital and a famous inland trading centre in Tamilakam.

2.
Ans: (b)
The most powerful Chola king was Karikala, and he built the Kallanai Dam. However, there is no mention of him attacking Sri Lanka.

3.
Ans: (c)
The emblem of the Pandya kings was the fish.

4.
Ans: (b)
The Satavahana kings used a matronymic system or the names of their mothers to identify themselves in their inscriptions.

5.
Ans: (a)
The Sakas or the Scythians were nomadic tribes of Central Asia who invaded the north-western parts of the Indian subcontinent.

6.
Ans: (a)
Bhrigukachcha and Sopara as important ports on the western coast.

7.
Ans: (b)
The Silk Route as a land trade route used by traders to carry Chinese products to Western Asia.

8.
Ans: (a)
Romans paid for Indian goods with gold coins.

9.
Ans: (b)
The Fourth Buddhist Council, Buddhism split into two groups—Hinayana and Mahayana.

10.
Ans: (a)
Faxian was a Chinese pilgrim who visited India in the beginning of the 4th century _CE.

II. State whether the following statements are true or false. Rewrite the statements to correct them. 

1.
Ans: False
Madurai was the capital of the Pandyas.

2.
Ans: True

3.
Ans: False
The Mahayana sect accepted the worship of the Buddha in the form of an idol.

4.
Ans: True
Karikala build the Kallanai Dam.

5.
Ans: False
Faxian was a Chinese pilgrim, not a Roman trader.

III. Answer the following questions in brief. 

1.
Ans: The most powerful Chola king was Karikala. The Chola Dynasty, based in present-day Tiruchirapalli and Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, established its main capital at Uraiyur and a secondary capital at Kaveripattinam. The Cholas were known for their cotton textiles, and Karikala built the Kallanai Dam.

2.
Ans: The Sakas were originally nomadic tribes of Central Asia. They invaded the north-western parts of the Indian subcontinent and established supremacy there after defeating the Indo-Greeks. They ruled at Takshila and Mathura until the 4th century _CE.

3.
Ans: Sangam literature refers to the compositions of ancient Tamil poets who met in Madurai between 500 _BCE and 300 _CE. It includes poems on love (Aham) and war (Puram), moral stories (Padinenkilkanakku), and works on Tamil grammar like Tolkappiyam. It provides insights into the social, political, economic, and religious life of the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas.

4.
Ans: The Silk Route is a land trade route used by traders to carry Chinese products to Western Asia. It passed through mountains and deserts, facilitating the transportation of Chinese silk and other items to the Roman Empire and beyond. Indian kings along the route taxed traders in exchange for protection from robbers and bandits.

5.
Ans: Buddhism split into two branches during the Fourth Buddhist Council. The two groups were Hinayana (the Lesser Vehicle) and Mahayana (the Greater Vehicle). The split occurred over differences in the worship of the Buddha as God and belief in Bodhisattvas. Mahayana accepted these practices, while Hinayana adhered to a more orthodox form of Buddhism.

IV. Answer the following questions in detail. 

1.
Ans: Xuanzang was called the 'prince of pilgrims' because of his extensive travels in India during the 7th century _CE. He documented his journey in the work "Si-yu-ki" (Records of the Western World). Travelers like Xuanzang contribute valuable firsthand accounts, observations, and records of historical events, cultures, and societies. Their writings aid historians in understanding the past, corroborating other sources, and gaining insights into the social, religious, and economic aspects of the time.

2.
Ans: The Sangam Age, occurring approximately between 500 _BCE and 300 _CE, was characterized by the gatherings of poets in Madurai, resulting in Sangam Literature. This ancient Tamil literature comprises poems on love and war, moral stories, and works on grammar. The Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas, collectively known as the 'three crowned kings,' ruled during this period. Sangam texts provide details about the political, economic, social, and religious life of the time.

3.
Ans: Indo-Greeks, also known as Bactrian Greeks, were rulers from North Afghanistan who invaded North India. One of the famous Indo-Greek rulers was Menander (Milinda), who embraced Buddhism. They were the earliest rulers to mint gold coins in India. The importance of their rule lies in their contribution to Indian coinage, their interaction with Indian culture, and the blending of Greek and Indian influences during their reign.

4.
Ans: The Silk Route was a land trade route used by traders to carry Chinese products, especially silk, to Western Asia and beyond. The route traversed mountains and deserts, posing risks to traders. Indian kings along the route taxed traders for protection. The Silk Route played a crucial role in facilitating trade between China and the Roman Empire. It contributed to the exchange of goods, cultures, and ideas between East and West, shaping the course of history.

5.
Ans: Buddhism spread through missionary activities, with Buddhist monks traveling across India, Sri Lanka, and Central Asia to spread the teachings of Buddha. King Kanishka, a Kushana ruler, played a role by convening the Fourth Buddhist Council, which led to the split of Buddhism into Hinayana and Mahayana branches. Mahayana Buddhists actively participated in spreading their beliefs to China, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and beyond, contributing to the expansion and influence of Buddhism in the region.