Short & Long Questions: Towns, Trapers and Craftsmen | Window on the Word Class 7: Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

Short Answer Questions

Q1: What were the two major empires that ruled over India during the medieval period?
Ans: The Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire.

Q2: Name one of the capitals of the Delhi Sultanate during the medieval period.
Ans: Delhi.

Q3: Who founded Agra and why did he choose it as the new capital?
Ans: Sikandar Lodi founded Agra in 1504 to keep a better watch over the Rajput kings.

Q4: What are the 'seven cities of Delhi'?
Ans: Qila Rai Pithora, Mehrauli, Siri, Tughlaqabad, Firuzabad, Shergarh, and Shahjahanabad.

Q5: Which town in Bengal was known for the production of muslin?
Ans: Sonargaon.

Q6: Name two important port towns of medieval India.
Ans: Surat and Masulipatnam.

Q7: Who was the most important ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire?
Ans: Krishnadevaraya.

Q8: What were the main sources of income for the merchants of Surat?
Ans: Trading and moneylending.

Q9: What were the major items of export from India during the medieval period?
Ans: Spices, textiles, sugar, and precious stones.

Q10: Which communities were known for their involvement in trade in medieval India?
Ans: Gujarati merchant community, Multanis, Punjabis, Marwaris, and Chettiars.

Long Answer Questions

Q1: Explain the role of port towns in medieval India's maritime trade. Provide examples.
Ans: Port towns in medieval India were crucial hubs for maritime trade. They facilitated the exchange of goods with other countries. For example, Surat, Masulipatnam, Calicut, and Tamralipti were important port towns. They saw significant economic activity due to their strategic coastal locations.

Q2: Describe the significance of temples in the growth of towns and cities in medieval India.
Ans: Temples played a pivotal role in medieval India's urban development. They received large endowments from rulers and devotees, becoming centers of wealth. Temples also became hubs of commercial activity, leading to the growth of surrounding towns. Trade and banking flourished around these religious centers. Examples include Benares, Thanjavur, Puri, and Khajuraho.

Q3: Compare and contrast the medieval cities of Hampi, Masulipatnam, and Surat.
Ans:

• Similarities: All three cities were significant urban centers in medieval India. They were strategically located for trade, with Hampi being the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, Masulipatnam a major port, and Surat a thriving commercial hub. They attracted traders from various parts of the world.
• Differences: Hampi was known for its grandeur, especially during the Vijayanagara Empire, while Masulipatnam and Surat were major trading and port towns. Hampi eventually fell into ruin after the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire. Masulipatnam saw European traders arrive in the 17th century, further boosting its prosperity. Surat's prominence declined due to the emergence of Bombay as a significant port and Maratha raids in the 17th century.

Q4: Explain why trade and commerce flourished in medieval India. What was the role of traders in this growth?
Ans: Political stability, favorable economic policies, secure trade routes, and standardized currency systems were key factors that led to the flourishing of trade and commerce in medieval India. Traders played a pivotal role in this growth by facilitating the exchange of goods and services across regions and even internationally. They formed guilds for mutual protection and specialized in various aspects of trade, such as local, long-distance, and bulk trade.

Q5: Discuss the contribution of craftspeople in medieval India.
Ans: Craftspeople in medieval India played a crucial role in the economy. They were skilled artisans who excelled in various crafts like pottery, weaving, wood-carving, gem-cutting, and metalwork. Rulers and nobles provided patronage and set up workshops for them. Their products were in high demand, both domestically and abroad. Each region in India had its unique craft specialization. For example, Malabar was known for calico, Golconda for kalamkari, and Bengal for muslin. This thriving craft industry contributed significantly to the prosperity of medieval Indian towns and cities.