Goa Board Class 7 Solutions for History – Towns, Traders and Craftpersons (English Medium)
Page No. 89:
Question 1:
Fill in the blanks:
(a) The Rajarajeshvara temple was built in ____________.
(b) Ajmer is associated with the Sufi saint ____________.
(c) Hampi was the capital of the ____________ Empire.
(d) The Dutch established a settlement at ___________ in Andhra Pradesh.
Solution :
(a) The Rajarajeshvara temple was built in _1010 A.D._.
(b) Ajmer is associated with the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
(c) Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.
(d) The Dutch established a settlement at Masulipatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
Question 2:
State whether true or false:
(a) We know the name of the architect of the Rajarajeshvara temple from an inscription.
(b) Merchants preferred to travel individually rather than in caravans.
(c) Kabul was a major centre for trade in elephants.
(d) Surat was an important trading port on the Bay of Bengal.
Solution :
(a) True
(b) False
(c) False
(d) False
Question 3:
How was water supplied to the city of Thanjavur?
Solution :
Water was supplied to the city of Thanjavur from tanks and wells.
Question 4:
Who lived in the ”Black Towns” in cities such as Madras?
Solution :
The ‘Black Towns’ in cities like Madras were inhabited by indigenous merchants and artisans like weavers.
Page No. 90:
Question 5:
Why do you think towns grew around temples?
Solution :
Towns developed around temples because the latter were central to the economy and the society. Rulers often constructed temples not only to showcase their devotion, but also to establish their authority and political legitimacy. They often awarded wealth and land to temples so that rituals could be conducted, festivals could be celebrated and pilgrims and priests could be fed. The temples also utilised their wealth to finance trade and banking. Subsequently, a large number of priests, artisans, workers and traders settled near the temple complex in order to cater to the needs of the pilgrims. In this way, towns slowly grew around temples.
Question 6:
How important were craftspersons for the building and maintenance of temples?
Solution :
Craftpersons were absolutely essential in the construction and adorning of temples with silver, gold, alloy-work, textile and wooden decorations. They also provided for the needs of the visiting pilgrims. The Panchalas and Vishwakarma communities which consisted of various professionals – goldsmiths, blacksmiths, bronzesmiths, carpenters and masons – played a crucial role in the construction process. Similarly, weavers like Kaikkolars and Saliyars donated regularly to the temples.
Question 7:
Why did people from distant lands visit Surat?
Solution :
During Mughal rule, Surat had become an important center of trade. Merchants and traders from remote places visited the town because it was the gateway of trade with West Asia via the Gulf of Ormuz. The Portuguese, English and Dutch had their factories and warehouses in Surat during the 17th century. It also had wholesale and retail cotton textile shops. The textiles of Surat were very popular for their zari work (gold lace borders) and had a huge demand in West Asia, Europe and Africa. There were a large number of banking houses owned by Kathiawadi seths or mahajans (moneychangers) and the Surat hundis were hounoured in distant markets like Cairo, Basra and Antwerp. As a result of this financial potential, the Mughal authorities also built several rest houses in order to house the incoming visitors.C
Question 8:
In what ways was craft production in cities like Calcutta different from that in cities like Thanjavur?
Solution :
Crafts production in cities like Calcutta was formally planned and organised by European companies. Merchants and artisans were moved and confined to the ‘Black Towns’ constructed by the European companies within the new cities. On the other hand, the crafts production in old temple towns like Thanjavur focused on the needs of the temple and the pilgrims.