Towns, Traders and Craftspersons

Q1. True/False

                         i.        We know the name of the architect of the Rajarajeshvara temple from an inscription. True

                        ii.        Merchants preferred to travel individually rather than in caravans. False

                       iii.        Traders formed guilds to protect their interests. True

                       iv.        Kabul was a major centre for trade in elephants. False

                       v.        Ajmer (Rajasthan) was the capital of the Chauhan kings in the twelfth century. True

                      vi.        Surat was an important trading port on the Bay of Bengal. False

         vii.        The “white” rulers occupied the superior residencies of Fort St George in Madras or Fort St William in Calcutta. True

         viii.        The fort at Masulipatnam was built by the Dutch. True

Q2. Fill in the blanks

                        i.        The Rajarajeshvara temple was built in the early eleventh century.

                       ii.        Ajmer is associated with the Sufi saint Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti.

                      iii.        Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.

                      iv.        The Dutch established a settlement at Masulipatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

                       v.        Pilgrims who flocked to the temples also made donations.

                      vi.        Bronze is an alloy containing copper and tin.

         vii.        Rulers built temples to demonstrate their devotion to various deities.

Q3. What was the other name of "Saliyar" community?

Ans. Kaikkolars

Q4. Who was Christopher Columbus?

Ans. Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer.

Q5. Who was Jean Baptist Tavernier?

Ans. Jean Baptiste Tavernier was a diamond merchant.

Q6. What do the ruins of hampi reveal?

Ans. The magnificent ruins at Hampi reveal a well-fortified city.

Q7. Which technique was used to make the Chola bronze statues?

Ans. Chola bronze statues were made using the “lost wax” technique.

Q8. From where did Gujarati Traders bring gold and ivory?

Ans. They brought gold and ivory from Africa.

Q9. When did Vasco de Gama reach Calicut?

Ans. Vasco de Gama reached Calicut in 1498.

Q10. What was the capital of the ancient Chola kingdom?

Ans. Thanjavur was the capital of the ancient Chola kingdom.

Q11. How was water supplied to the city of Thanjavur?

Ans. Water supply for the city of Thanjavur comes from wells and tanks.

Q12. How did temple authorities use their wealth?

Ans. Temple authorities used their wealth to finance trade and banking.

Q13. What is bell metal?

Ans. Bell metal contains a greater proportion of tin than other kinds of bronze.

Q14. Name two famous guilds of south India from the eighth century onwards.

Ans. Manigramam and Nanadesi

Q15. How did European gain control of the sea route?

Ans. European Companies used their naval power to gain control of the sea trade.

Q16. What is emporium?

Ans.  Emporium is a place where goods from diverse production centres are bought and sold.

Q17. Name the regions with whom the "guilds" of South India mostly traded.

Ans. These guilds traded extensively both within the peninsula and with Southeast Asia and China.

Q18. Who lived in the “Black Towns” in cities such as Madras?

Ans. Merchants and artisans (such as weavers) lived in the “Black Towns” in cities such as Madras.

Q19. What is Bidri?

Ans. The craftspersons of Bidar were so famed for their inlay work in copper and silver that it came to be called Bidri.

Q20. Why has Surat called the gate to mecca?

Ans. Surat has also been called the gate to Mecca because many pilgrim ships set sail from here.