Short Questions: Villages, Towns & Trade | NCERT Summary: UPSC PDF Download

Q1: Discuss the scene of a smith’s shop.
Ans: At shop of the smith we can see a small bench on which tools are laid out, ready for sale. We can also see a bright fire burning and two men heating and beating metal rods into shape. It is generally very hot and noisy and yet it is fascinating to watch what is happening.

Q2: What do you mean by the term Sangam literature? Why are these called Sangam?
Ans: Meaning: Some of the earliest works in Tamil are known as Sangam literature. These texts were composed around 2300 years ago.
Cause of being called Sangam: These texts are called Sangam because they were composed and compiled in assemblies (known as Sangam) of poets that were held in the city of Madurai.

Q3: Discuss the Northern Black Polished Ware or NBP Ware of the early centuries of the ancient India.
Ans: We have archaeological evidences for crafts of ancient India. These include extremely fine pottery, known as the Northern Black Polished Ware (or NBP Ware in short form). The Northern Black Polished Ware gets its name from the fact that it is generally found in the northern part of the subcontinent. It is usually black in colour and has a fine sheen (illustration). We can see and can give as an example of the Rampurwa Bull in this regard. This was part of a Mauryan pillar and has now been placed in Rashtrapati Bhawan (New Delhi). It is a good example of the skill of the sculptures of the time.

Q4: Discuss in a short paragraph ‘Iron Tools and Agriculture’.
Ans: We generally take the use of iron for granted today. In fact different types of things made of iron (as well as steel) are a part of our daily lives. The use of iron began in Indian subcontinent around 3000 years ago. Some of the largest collections of iron tools and weapons were found in the megalithic burials. There is evidence for the growing use of iron tools. These included axes for clearing the land and the ploughshare was useful for increasing agricultural production.

Q5: What do you understand by the term ‘Punch marked coins’? Explain in brief.
Ans: Early coins. Archaeologists have found several thousands of coins belonging to this early ancient period of ancient India. The earliest coins which were in use for about 500 years were Punch marked coins. They have been given this name because the designs were punched on to the metal, silver or copper. Coins were used as medium of exchange. But we should remember that coins were not only means of exchange. Other articles such as paddy, salt and some animals were also used as means of exchange.

Q6: Explain in brief the role or functions of the Shrenis (guilds) in the Mauryan Age.
Ans: Many crafts persons and merchants now formed associations known as Shrenis. Shrenis of crafts persons provided training, procured raw material and distributed the finished product. Shrenis of merchants organized trade. Shrenis also served as banks, where rich men and women deposited money. This was invested and part of the interest was returned or used to support religious institutions such as monasteries.

Q7: Why the coins of earliest time were called as puch mrked coins?
Ans: As metals were punched with designs, the early coins were dubbed "punch-marked coins."

Q8: Explain about Dasa karmakara.
Ans: Dasa karmakara’s were people who made their living by working in other people's fields.

Q9: What was Shrenis main function?
Ans: Shrenis were the ones in charge of providing training, obtaining raw materials, and finally distributing the finished product.

Q10: Why Arikamedu was important?
Ans: Arikamedu was a major commercial centre between 2200 and 1900 years ago. Arikamedu was a fishing village in Tamil Nadu. It was once a significant Chola port specialised to bead production and trade with Roman traders. It was also a port on the seashore where commodities were loaded and discharged.

Q11: Explain how was the design of pottery named?
Ans: Northern Black Polished Ware is another name for pottery. It was given its name because it was most commonly seen in the northern section of the Indian subcontinent. Northern Black Polished Ware \sis aware composed of strong metal which has a lustrous black surface.

Q12: Define Shrenis.
Ans: Merchants and artisans were known as Shrenis. Vaishyas was another name for them.

Q13: Write the same of some sites where Northern Black Polished Ware were found?
Ans: Northern Black Polished Ware was discovered in Chandraketugrah, Mahasthan, and Bangarh.

Q14: Give an explanation about Gram Bhojaka.
Ans: The people who lived in the villages of northern India were a diverse group. Grama Bhojaka was the village's headman's name. It was a hierarchical role. Grama Bhojaka served in the village in a variety of capacities. He was in charge of preserving law and order as well as resolving interpersonal conflicts.

Q15: Brief Mathura.
Ans: Around 2500 years ago, Mathura was a significant settlement. Mathura's strategic location made it a significant city. Mathura was strategically located at the intersection of two major trade routes, making it extremely advantageous for trade. Mathura had been fortified on all sides. Around 2000 years ago, Mathura became the second capital of the Kushanas. Lord Krishna worship is still practised in Mathura.

Q16: Why did India enjoy a good deal of prosperity between 200 BCE and 300 BCE? 
Ans: The number of craftsmen and artisans increased between 200 BCE and 300 BCE. India's commerce and trading partners grew as a result of this expansion. Apart from this, India saw a rise in technical awareness among craftsmen and artisans, which was embraced and considered by many others. This aided in the amazing growth of the market and trade.