NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Social Science History Chapter 6

From the eighth century onwards the subcontinent was dotted with several small towns. These probably emerged from large villages. They usually had a mandapika (or mandi of later times) to which nearby villagers brought their produce to sell. They also had market streets called hatta (haat of later times) lined with shops. Besides, there were streets for different kinds of artisans such as potters, oil pressers, sugar makers, toddy makers, smiths, stonemasons, etc. Many came from far and near to these towns to buy local articles and sell products of distant places like horses, salt, camphor, saffron, betel nut and spices like pepper.

The craftspersons of Bidar were so famed for their inlay work in copper and silver that it came to be called Bidri. The Panchalas or Vishwakarma community, consisting of goldsmiths, bronzesmiths, blacksmiths, masons and carpenters, were essential to the building of temples. They also played an important role in the construction of palaces, big buildings, tanks and reservoirs. Similarly, weavers such as the Saliyar or Kaikkolars emerged as prosperous communities, making donations to temples. Some aspects of cloth making like cotton cleaning, spinning and dyeing became specialised and independent crafts.

Temple towns represent a very important pattern of urbanisation, the process by which cities develop. Temples were often central to the economy and society. Rulers built temples to demonstrate their devotion to various deities. They also endowed temples with grants of land and money to carry out elaborate rituals, feed pilgrims and priests and celebrate festivals. Pilgrims who flocked to the temples also made donations.

Thanjavur was situated near the perennial river Kaveri. It was from this river that was water supplied to the city. Also the water supply from the city came from wells and tanks.

The native trader, craftspersons, merchants and artisans used to live in the “Black Towns” in the cities such as Madaras.

The towns grew around temples due to the following reasons: Temple were often central to the economy and society. Rulers, who built temples, donated land and money to carry out elaborate rituals, feed pilgrims and priests and celebrate festivals. Pilgrims who flocked to the temples also made donations. Temple authorities used their wealth to finance, trade and banking. Gradually, a large number of priests, workers, artisans, traders etc. settle near the temple to the cater to its needs and those of the pilgrims. In this ways, towns got developed around temples.

Temples were the places to display the most sophisticated art work. Therefore, the craftsperson were important for the building and maintenance of temple they performed following activities: The craftsperson of Bidar were so famous for their inlay work in copper and silver that it can be called Bidri. The Panchalas or Vishwakarma community, consisting of goldsmiths, bronze smiths, masons and carpenters, were essential to the building of temples. Weavers often donated money to temples.

Surat was the most important medieval port on the west coast of Indian subcontinent. It was the emporium of western trade during the Mughal period. Surat was gateway trade with west Asia via the Gulf of Ormuz. Surat has also been called the gate of Mecca, because many pilgrims ship gets sail from here. There were also serval retail and wholesale shop selling cotton textile. Surat was famous for the textiles which gold lace brooders Surat (zati). Due to all such reasons, many people from distant land visited Surat

Craft production in cities like Calcutta different from that in cities like Thanjavur: Craftspersons in Thanjavur were independent while in Calcutta they were in the hands of Europeans. In Thanjavur, crafts were developed on interest and they were creative and specialized while in Calcutta craftspersons began to work on a system of advances. They were having liberty to sell their own made crafts and textiles while here they no longer had the liberty of selling their own crafts. In Calcutta they had to reproduce the designs supplied to them by the Company agents. They now had to move into the Black Towns established by the European companies within these new cities.

Do yourself using the hint given below. Hint: Take up the present-day of New Delhi, The capital of India. Similarities- It is the seat of government (Parliament) Justice is done here. (Supreme Court) Many people from distant places visit here. Many traders and powerful nobles live here. It is the commercial complex. It is cultural development centre. It provides employment opportunities, etc. Differences (with Thanjavur, the capital of Cholas) It size is much larger. It has an elaborate transportation system. It is expanding day by day. It also experiences unlawful activities. Migrants fill up the present-day Delhi, etc.

Some of the problems faced by the merchants were us under: They had to travel through forests and there was always the fear of robbers, Therefore, merchants travelled in caravans. Merchants such as Mulla Abdul Ghafur and Indian Virji Vora, who owned a large number of ships were subdued by the East Indian Company ships. Then, they have to work as the agents of the company instead of running their own business. Yes, such problem do exist today.