Chapter 9 – Vital Villages, Thriving Towns

Page No 97:

Question 5:

Which of the iron tools shown on page 87 would have been important for agriculture? What would the other tools have bee used for?

Answer:

The sickle would have been important for agriculture. The axe would have been used to chop wood and the tongs to lift burning coals or other hot objects.

Question 1:

Fill in the blanks:

(a) _____________ was a word used for large landowners in Tamil.

(b) The gramabhojaka often got his land cultivated by the ____________.

(c) Ploughmen were known as ______________in Tamil.

(d) Most grihapatis were ___________landowners.

Answer:

(a) Vellalar was a word used for large landowners in Tamil.

(b) The gramabhojaka often got his land cultivated by the slaves and hired workers.

(c) Ploughmen were known as uzhavar in Tamil.

(d) Most griphapatis were small landowners.

Question 2:

Describe the functions of the gramabhojaka. Why do you think he was powerful?

Answer:

The gramabhojaka functioned as a tax-collector, judge and sometimes as a policeman. He was powerful because he was the largest landowner.

Question 3:

List the crafts persons who would have been present in both villages and cities.

Answer:

Crafts persons who would be present in both villages and cities would be − goldsmiths, blacksmiths, weavers, basket makers, garland makers and perfumers.

Question 4:

Choose the correct answer:

(a) Ring wells were used for:

(1) bathing

(2) washing clothes

(3) irrigation

(4) drainage

(b) Punch marked coins were made of:

(1) silver

(2) gold

(3) tin

(4) ivory

(c) Mathura was an important: (1) village

(2) port

(3) religious centre

(4) forested area

(d) Shrenis were associations of:

(1) rulers

(2) crafts persons

(3) farmers

(4) herders

Answer:

(a) Ring wells were used for drainage.

(b) Punch marked coins were made of silver.

(c) Mathura was an important religious centre.

(d) Shrenis were associations of crafts persons.

Page No 98:

Question 6:

Compare the drainage system in your locality with that of the cities mentioned in the lesson. What similarities and differences do you notice?

Answer:

Solution not available

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