Class 6 History Chapter 8 Important Question Answers - Villages, Towns and Trade

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: When did iron usage begin in the Indian subcontinent?
Ans: Iron usage in the Indian subcontinent began around 3000 years ago.

Q2: Name two types of iron tools used in ancient times.
Ans: Two types of iron tools used in ancient times were axes and iron ploughshares.

Q3: What were the main irrigation works built during ancient times?
Ans: The main irrigation works included canals, wells, tanks, and artificial lakes.

Q4: Who were the Vellalars in ancient villages?
Ans: Vellalars were large landowners in the Tamil region.

Q5: What role did the Grama Bhojaka play in the village?
Ans: The Grama Bhojaka was the largest landowner in the village, collected taxes for the king, and functioned as a judge and sometimes as a policeman.

Q6: What is Sangam literature, and where was it believed to be composed?
Ans: Sangam literature refers to some of the earliest Tamil literary works believed to have been composed during gatherings (sangams) of poets held in the city of Madurai.

Q7: What were punch-marked coins, and how were they made?
Ans: Punch-marked coins were early types of coins without inscriptions but stamped with symbols using dies or punches. They were made by cutting metal sheets or shaping flattened metal globules.

Q8: Why was Mathura an important settlement in ancient times?
Ans: Mathura was important because it was located at the crossroads of two major travel and trade routes and had a strong cultural and religious significance.

Q9: What were the key functions of Shrenis in ancient times?
Ans: Shrenis provided training, procured raw materials, distributed finished products, organized trade, and functioned as banks for wealth storage and supporting religious institutions.

Q10: What is Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW)?
Ans: Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) is a type of pottery with a shiny black surface, made using a wheel, and known for its metallic appearance.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q11: Describe the types of people who lived in most villages in the southern and northern parts of the subcontinent.
Ans: In most villages, there were three types of people in the southern and northern parts of the subcontinent: Vellalars (large landowners in Tamil region), Uzhavar (ordinary ploughmen in Tamil region), and Kadaisiyar and Adimai (landless laborers and slaves in Tamil region). In the northern part, there were Grama Bhojaka (village headman), Grihapatis (independent farmers and smaller landowners), Dasa Karmakara (landless workers), and craftspersons.

Q12: Explain the significance of Mathura in ancient times.
Ans: Mathura was important due to its strategic location at the crossroads of major trade routes, its role as a producer of fine sculptures, and its status as a religious center for Buddhism, Jainism, and the worship of Krishna.

Q13: What were punch-marked coins, and how were they different from modern coins?
Ans: Punch-marked coins were early coins without inscriptions but stamped with symbols using dies or punches. They were different from modern coins as they lacked inscriptions and were made by stamping symbols on metal sheets or flattened metal globules.

Q14: How did Shrenis support craftspersons and merchants in ancient India?

Ans: Shrenis provided training, procured raw materials, distributed finished products, organized trade, and functioned as banks where wealthy individuals deposited money to support religious institutions.

Q15: Who were the muvendar, and which kingdoms did they belong to?
Ans: The muvendar were the "three chiefs" mentioned in Sangam poems, including the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas, who became powerful in South India around 2300 years ago.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q16: Describe the importance of trade and traders in ancient India, especially in relation to the Silk Route.
Ans: Trade played a crucial role in ancient India's economy. Traders transported goods such as Northern Black Polished Ware, gold, spices like pepper, and precious stones. The Silk Route connected India to the Roman Empire, and traders facilitated this trade route, bringing valuable items to India.

Q17: Explain the role of rivers and coastal regions in the rise of new kingdoms in ancient India.
Ans: Rivers and coastal regions provided fertile land and access to trade routes, leading to the rise of powerful chiefs and kings who controlled these areas. The Kaveri River valley, for example, was highly fertile and contributed to the wealth of the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas.

Q18: How did rulers like the Cholas and Pandyas accumulate wealth and power in ancient South India?
Ans: Chiefs like the Cholas and Pandyas accumulated wealth and power by demanding gifts from people, going on military expeditions, and collecting tribute from neighboring areas. They distributed this wealth among their supporters, family, soldiers, and poets who praised them.

Q19: Discuss the significance of the Silk Route and the Kushanas in ancient trade.
Ans: The Silk Route was a vital trade route connecting India to the Roman Empire. The Kushanas controlled sections of this route and taxed traders, offering protection against robber attacks. They played a crucial role in facilitating trade between India and the Roman Empire.

Q20: Briefly describe the Satavahanas Dynasty and their significance in ancient India.
Ans: The Satavahanas Dynasty became powerful in western India and controlled the entire southern region. Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni was a notable ruler who extended his influence to the eastern, western, and southern coasts. The Satavahanas were known as lords of the dakshinapatha, a significant trade route.