NCERT Solutions For Class 6 History Social Science Chapter 8 Villages, Towns And Trade

NCERT Solutions For Class 6 History Social Science Chapter 8 Villages, Towns And Trade

NCERT Question And Answer

Question 1. Look at the chart, you will find that some of the stages in the construction of irrigation works are mentioned.

Fill in the rest by using the following phrases

1. Labour is provided by the people
2. Farmers also benefit because crop production is more certain.
3. Farmers have to increase production to pay taxes.
4. Kings provide money and plan irrigation works.

Answer:

Question 2. Make a list of the occupations of people who lived in Mathura. List one occupation that was not practised in Harappan cities.

Answer:

The occupation of people who lived in Mathura is listed below

1. Some people were blacksmiths
2. Some people were goldsmiths
3. Some people were basket makers
4. Some people were weavers
5. Some people were garland makers

Answer:

The occupation, of garland making was not practiced in Harappan cities.

Question 3. Make a list of all the women who could be employed by the superintendent.

Answer:

Widows, young women who are differently abled, nuns, mothers of courtesans, servants of the king and women who have retired from service in temples could be employed by the superintendent.

Question 4. Do you think women would have faced any problems while working?

Answer:

Women might have had a hard time working under Arthashastra’s rules. They might not have been paid fairly or had trouble managing their home duties while working. Also, the fear of being fined or punished for not finishing the work could have made them feel scared.

Question 5. List the evidence that indicates that there was contact with Rome.

Answer:

At Arikamedu discoveries like Mediterranean amphorae for wine and oil transport, stamped Arretine Ware, Roman-style pottery, artefacts like lamps and glassware, and the Roman style of dyeing vats and bead-making, indicate that there was contact with Rome.

Question 6. Can you think of how and why these (Roman gold coins) reached India?

Answer:

Roman gold coins found in South India would have reached India through trade routes or travellers who brought them to these rich lands in search of goods or trade.

Roman traders sailed across the ocean and travelled in caravans, carrying treasures such as gold, spices (especially pepper) and gems from South India.

Question 7. Make a list of all the things that are mentioned. What would they be used for?

Answer:

List of all things that are mentioned and their uses are

• Horses It is used for transportation, riding, and perhaps for military use or prestige.
• Black pepper It is used as a prized spice in cooking, and for flavouring food.
• Gems and gold, pearls These are used for trade, adornment, or making jewellery.
• Sandalwood is used for making perfumes.
• Field of the Ganga and Crops from the Kaveri These are food items for consumption.

Question 8. Why do you think he (Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni) wanted to control the coasts?

Answer:

Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni wanted to control the coasts to regulate trade, collect taxes from merchants, and possibly ensure the safety of trade routes. This would expand his kingdom’s economic and political reach into different regions.

Question 9. You live in Barygaza and are visiting the port. Describe what you would see there.

Answer:

• While visiting the port, I see skilled fishermen guiding ships through a narrow gulf. Big boats bring things like wine, metal, cloth and shiny coins.
• Other goods, like plants, ivory, pretty stones, and perfumes, leave from here to far places. Sometimes, merchants bring special gifts for the king—shiny stuff, singers, pretty ladies, yummy and nice clothes.
• The port is like a busy town square where things from different lands come and go, making it lively and exciting to watch all the trade happening.

History Chapter 8 Villages, Towns And Trade Exercises

Question 1. Fill in the blanks.

……. was a word used for large landowners in Tamil.

Answer:  Vellalar

The grama bhojaka often got his land cultivated by the ……..

Answer:  slaves and hired workers

Ploughmen were known as …….. in Tamil.

Answer: uzhavar

Most chapatis were …….. landowners.

Answer: Smaller

Question 2. Describe the functions of the grama bhojaka. Why do you think he was powerful?

Answer:

The functions of the grama bhojaka were

• He had slaves and also hired workers to cultivate the land.
• The king often used him to collect taxes from the village.
• He solved the problems of villagers.
• He also functioned as a judge, and sometimes as a policeman.
• He was powerful because he was a hereditary village headman. He was also the largest landowner.

Question 3. List the craftspersons who would have been present in both villages and cities.

Answer:

Blacksmiths, potters, carpenters, weavers, masons, basket makers, garland makers and cobblers would have been present in both villages and cities.

Question 4. Choose the correct answer.

1. Punch-marked coins were made of

1. Silver
2. gold
3. tin
4. Ivory

Answer: 1. silver

2. Mathura was an important

1. village
2. port
3. religious centre
4. forested area

Answer: 3. religious centre

3. Shrenis were associations of

1. rulers
2. craftspersons
3. farmers
4. herders

Answer: 2. craftspersons

Question 5. What kinds of evidence do historians use to find out about trade and trade routes?

Answer:

Evidence used by historians to find out about trade and trade routes are as follows

• Discovery of Archaeological Objects Pottery, such as bowls, plates, amphorae, and stamped red-glazed pottery, found at various sites, provide direct evidence of trade.
• These items often have designs indicating the culture they belong to. Coins of other countries also indicate trade.
• Structures and Buildings The identification of structures like a massive brick warehouse at Arikamedu suggests the presence of trade hubs and storage facilities, indicating the volume of goods exchanged and stored.

Question 6. Which of the iron tools shown on page 73 (NCERT Textbook) would have been important for agriculture? What would the other tools have been used for?

Answer:

• The sickles would have been important for agriculture. The sickles would have been used to harvest crops of wheat and barley. With their curved blades, farmers could efficiently cut matured grains close to the ground.
• Other tools like the axe would have been used for clearing forests, chopping firewood for cooking and heating, and tongs were also used for removing thorns and any other extra growth.

Question 7. Compare the drainage system in your locality with that of the cities mentioned in the lesson. What similarities and differences do you notice?

Answer:

In our locality, the drainage system includes pipes and drains.

• Similarities the use of underground pipes or channels to manage wastewater and rainwater, ensuring a systematic disposal system.
• Different drainage systems in my city often use more advanced technologies as compared to the ancient system mentioned in the chapter.
• Cities have sewage treatment plants and larger networks covering large areas. Ancient cities relied on simpler systems, often limited to specific areas or streets. Additionally, modern cities have regulations and maintenance rules which might not have been there in ancient times.

Question 8. If you have seen craftspersons at work, describe in a short paragraph what they do. (Hint: How do they get the raw materials, what kind of equipment do they use, how do they work, and what happens to the finished product).

Answer:

• I have seen a carpenter at work. They start by picking good wood for their project. Then, using tools like saws and chisels, they cut and shaped the wood.
• They put the pieces together, making sure everything fits just right. The carpenter works carefully, making the wood smooth and nice. Finally, the finished product is polished and then sold in the market.

Question 9. List the functions performed by men and women who live in your city or village. In what ways are these similar to those performed by people who lived in Mathura? In what ways are they different?

Answer:

• In the city I live in, I see men and women working to feed their families. Most men work in offices, schools, colleges and other establishments. Women also work in offices these days. In the village, people work as goldsmiths, blacksmiths, weavers, basket makers garland makers, etc.
• Similarities The people in Mathura worked as goldsmiths, blacksmiths, weavers, basket makers, pU makers, and perfumers. In present times, people entities are goldsmiths and others are present in the villages.
• Differences In present times, we can find people who work in offices, schools, colleges, etc. But they were not present in those days.

Question 10. List five things that you buy from the market.  Which of these are made in the city/village in which you live, and which are brought by traders from other areas?

Answer:

The list of five things we buy from the market are

• Books These are made in cities.
• Notebooks These are made in cities.
• Food grains These are grown in villages. These are brought by traders from villages.
• Vegetables These are grown in villages. These are brought by traders to cities from where they grew.
• Garments These are made in cities.

History Chapter 8 Villages, Towns And Trade Multiple Choice Question And Answers (MCQs)

Question 1. When did the use of iron begin in the sub-continent?

1. Around 3000 years ago
2. Around 2300 years ago
3. Around 2500 years ago
4. Around 3500 years ago

Answer: 1. Around 3000 years ago

Question 2. The palaces of early cities (2500 years ago) did not survive because they were made of

1. wood
2. iron
3. mud brick
4. Both (1) and (3)

Answer: 4. Both (1) and (3)

Question 3. Which of the following methods increased agriculture production in ancient India?

1. Transplantation
2. Ploughshares
3. Irrigation
4. All of these

Answer: 4. All of these

Question 4. What was the feature of the earliest coins among the following?

1. They were hallmarked
2. They were punch-marked
3. They had holes
4. They were made of gold

Answer: 2. They were punch-marked

Question 5. Which of the following cities became the second capital of the Kushanas?

1. Mathura
2. Kashi
3. Magadha
4. Pataliputra

Answer: 1. Mathura

Question 6. Which kinds of inscriptions have been found in Mathura?

1. Stone slabs and statues
2. Mud bricks
3. Palaces inscriptions
4. None of these

Answer: 1. Stone slabs and statues

Question 7. Sangam literature is written in which language? 

1. Persian
2. Tamil
3. Sanskrit
4. Urdu

Answer: 2. Tamil

Question 8. The extremely fine pottery found in Indian sub-continent was

1. Northern Grey Polished Ware
2. Northern White Polished Ware
3. Northern Red Polished Ware
4. Northern Black Polished Ware

Answer: 4. Northern Black Polished Ware

Question 9. South India was famous for

1. gold
2. pepper
3. precious stones
4. All of these

Answer: 4. All of these

Question 10. Roman Empire found Black Gold in

1. Central India
2. North India
3. South India
4. East India

Answer: 3. South India

Question 11. The Southern half of the sub-continent is marked by

1. hills
2. plateau
3. river valleys
4. All of these

Answer: 4. All of these

Question 12. When was the Sangam literature composed?

1. Around 2500 years ago
2. Around 3000 years ago
3. Around 2000 years ago
4. Around 2300 years ago

Answer: 4. Around 2300 years ago

Question 13. How many centres of power did the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas have?

1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. four

Answer: 2. Two

Question 14. Dakshinapatha literally refers to the route leading to

1. North
2. South
3. East
4. West

Answer: 2. South

Question 15. Read the following statements and choose the correct option.

1. Irrigation works that were built around 3000-2500 years ago included canals, wells, tanks and artificial lakes.
2. Landless labourers, including slaves, were known as kadaisiyar and adimai.
3. Ordinary ploughmen were known as uzhavar.

Codes

1. Only 1
2. Both 1 and 2
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. 2 and 3

Answer: 3. 1, 2 and 3

Question 16. Read the following statements and choose the incorrect option about grama bhojaka.

1. In the Southern part of the country, the village headman was known as the grama bhojaka.
2. The post of grama bhojaka was hereditary.
3. He also functioned as a judge and sometimes as a policeman.

Codes

1. Only 1
2. Both 1 and 2
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. Only 3

Answer: 1. Only 1

Question 17. Arrange the following in the correct chronological order.

1. Composition of Sangam literature.
2. Use of iron in the sub-continent.
3. Mathura became the second capital of Kushanas.
4. Evidence of iron tools.

Codes

1. 1, 2, 3, 4
2. 2, 3, 2, 4
3. 4, 3, 2, 1
4. 2, 4, 1, 3

Answer: 4. 2, 4, 1, 3

Question 18. Arrange the following in decreasing order of their land holding.

1. Grihapatis
2. Karmakara
3. Grama Bhojaka

Codes

1. 1, 2, 3
2. 2, 1, 3
3. 3, 2, 1
4. 2, 3, 1

Answer: 3. 3, 2, 1

History Chapter 8 Villages, Towns And Trade Match The Following

Question 1.

• A  B  C  D

1. 3  2  4   1
2. 4  2  1   3
3. 1  2  4   3
4. 3  2  1   4

Answer: 1. 3 2 4 1

Question 2.

Codes

• A  B  C  D

1. 2  4   1   3
2. 4  2   1   3
3. 2  1   3   4
4. 4  1   3   2

Answer: 2. 4 2 1 3

History Chapter 8 Villages, Towns And Trade Assertion Reason

1. Assertion (A) Sangam literature was composed around 2300 years ago.

Reason (R) They were named Sangam because these texts were composed and compiled in assemblies.

Codes

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
3. A is true, but R is false
4. A is false, but R is true

Answer: 1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

Question 2. Assertion (A) Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas were powerful kingdoms.

Reason (R) These Chola, Chera and Pandya chiefs collected regular taxes, and even demanded and received gifts from the people.

Codes

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
3. A is true, but R is false
4. A is false, but R is true

Answer: 3. A is true, but R is false

History Chapter 8 Villages, Towns And Trade Fill in the Blanks

Question 1. The largest collections of ……. and weapons were found in the …….. burials.

Answer: iron tools, megalithic

Question 2. Uzhavar were ordinary …….

Answer: ploughmen

Question 3. …….. was an important ancient centre of textiles.

Answer: Varanasi

Question 4.  …….. become powerful in Western India.

Answer:  Satavahanas

History Chapter 8 Villages, Towns And Trade True/False

Question 1. Central India was famous for gold and spices.

Answer: False

Question 2. Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni was one of the Satavahana rulers.

Answer: True

Question 3. The kings and kingdoms could not have existed without the support of flourishing villages.

Answer: False

Question 4. Mathura’s inscription mentions goldsmiths and weavers.

Answer: True

History Chapter 8 Villages, Towns And Trade Picture Based Question And Answers

Question 1. Choose the right name for each of these pictures which are marked as (1), (2) and (3).

1. 1-sickle, 2- tongs, 3-axe
2. 1-tongs, 2-sickle, 3-axe
3. 1-axe, 2-tongs, 3-sickle
4. 1-tongs, 2-axes, 3- sickle

Answer: 1.  1-sickle, 2- tongs, 3-axe

Question 2. Which of the following was not the shape of the punch-marked coins which you see in the pictures below?

1. Rectangular
2. Square
3. Hexagonal
4. Round

Answer: 3. Hexagonal

Question 3. Answer the question based on the picture given below.

(1) What is written on rocks shown in one image?

Answer: Tamil-Brahmi inscription is written on rocks shown in the image.

History Chapter 8 Villages, Towns And Trade Case-Based Question And Answers

1. Read the passage given below and answer the following questions.

• “Amongst the river valleys, that of the Kaveri is the most fertile. Chiefs and kings who controlled the river valleys and the coasts became rich and powerful. Sangam poems mention the lavender. This is a Tamil word meaning three chiefs, used for the heads of three ruling families, the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas, who became powerful in South India around 2300 years ago.
• Each of the three chiefs had two centres of power: one inland, and one on the coast. Of these six cities, two were very important: Puhar or Kaveripattinam, the port of the Cholas, and Madurai, the capital of the Pandyas. The chiefs did not collect regular taxes.
• Instead, they demanded and received gifts from the people. They also went on military expeditions and collected tributes from neighbouring areas. They kept some of the wealth and distributed the rest amongst their supporters, including members of their family, soldiers and poets.”

Question 1. Why did the Sangam poets write poems in praise of the king?

1. They wanted rewards like gold, horses and precious stones
2. They wanted political power
3. They wanted control of the Silk route
4. They wanted to collect regular taxes

Answer: 1. They wanted rewards like gold, horse and precious stones

Question 2. What were the two significant cities among the six centres of power for the lavender?

1. Puhar and Kaveripattinam
2. Madurai and Kaveripattinam
3. Madurai and Puhar
4. Cholas and Pandyas

Answer: 2. Madurai and Kaveripattinam,

Question 3. How did the chiefs acquire wealth according to the passage?

1. Regular taxes are imposed on the people.
2. Grants by temples.
3. Military expeditions and tribute from neighbouring areas.
4. Distribution from the government treasury.

Answer: 3. Military expeditions and tribute from neighbouring areas,

Question 4. Which empire ruled after Chola, Chera and Pandyas?

1. Satavahana
2. Mauryan
3. Kushana
4. None of these

Answer: 1. Satavahana

2. Other Means of Exchange

Read this short poem from the Sangam collection As they carry the white paddy of their land To exchange it for the salt of another,

• Crossing the long roads in carts,
• Through sands white as moonlight,
• Taking whole families,
• Who hates to be left behind,
• The departure of the salt merchants Leaves the city empty.
• Salt was produced plentifully along the sea coast.

Question 1. What are the merchants planning to exchange it with?

Answer:

The merchants are planning to exchange the white paddy for salt.

Question 2. How are they travelling?

Answer:

They are travelling in carts, with their whole family.

2. The Story of Barygaza (The Greek name for Bharuch)

• The gulf is very narrow at Barygaza, and very hard to navigate for those coming from the sea. Ships had to be steered in by skilful and experienced local fishermen who were employed by the king.
• The imports into Barygaza were wine, copper, tin, lead, coral, topaz, cloth, gold and silver coins. Exports from the town included plants from the Himalayas, ivory, agate, carnelian, cotton, silk and perfumes.
• Special gifts were brought by merchants for the king. These included vessels of silver, singing boys, beautiful women, fine wines and fine cloth.

Question 1. Make a list of all the things imported and exported from Barygaza. Underline at least two things that were not in use during Harappan times.

Answer:

The imports from Barygaza were wine, copper, tin, lead, coral, topaz, cloth, gold, and silver coins. The exports from Barygaza were plants from the Himalayas, ivory, agate, carnelian, cotton, silk, and perfumes.

The two things that were not in use during Harappan times are

• gold and silver coins
• plants from the Himalayas
• Why do you think merchants brought gifts for the king?

Answer:

Merchants brought gifts for the king to establish good relations and gain favour. Giving presents, like silver vessels, singers, beautiful women, fine wines and cloth, was a way to show respect, create friendships, and possibly secure better trade deals to conduct business within the kingdom.

History Chapter 8 Villages, Towns And Trade Very Short Answer Type Question And Answers

Question 1. What were the irrigation works built around 2500 years ago?
Answer:

The irrigation works that were built around 2500 years ago were canals, wells, tanks and artificial lakes.

Question 2. Who was grama bhojaka?
Answer:

Grama bhojaka was the Village Headman in the Northern part of the country.

Question 3. What do you mean by data karmakara? Diksha
Answer:

Dasa karmakaras were the people who did not have their own land and worked in another field for their livelihoods.

Question 4. What do you mean by Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions?
Answer:

Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions are several pieces of pottery that have inscriptions in the early Brahmi script, which was used to write Tamil.

Question 5. Why were Varanasi and Madurai famous?
Answer:

Varanasi and Madurai were famous for manufacturing of cloth.

Question 6. What do you understand by Arikamedu?
Answer:

Arikamedu was a coastal settlement where ships unloaded goods from distant lands.

Question 7. How was Arretine Ware made?
Answer:

The Arretine Ware was made by pressing wet clay into a stamped mould. It was red-glazed pottery.

Question 8. How did traders carry goods to Rome?
Answer:

The traders carried goods in ships across the sea and by land in caravans.

Question 9. How is it evident that South India had trade relations with Rome?
Answer:

Roman gold coins have been found in South India which proves that South India had trade relations with Rome.

Question 10. Which river valley is most fertile in South India?
Answer:

The most fertile river valley in South India is the Kaveri River.

Question 11. What does the word ‘lavender’ describe?
Answer:

The word ‘lavender’ is used for the heads of three chiefs- the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas.

Question 12. What do you mean by traders?
Answer:

The people who carry different kinds of things from one place to another are known as traders.

Question 13. Who was the most important ruler of the Satavahanas?
Answer:

The most important ruler of the Satavahanas was Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni.

Question 14. Who came to be known as lords of the dakshinapatha?
Answer:

Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni and other Satavahana rulers were known as lords of the dakshinapatha.

Question 15. Why were kings interested in controlling the silk route?
Answer:

The kings were interested in controlling the silk route because they could benefit from taxes, tributes and gifts that were brought by traders travelling along the route.

History Chapter 8 Villages, Towns And Trade Short Answer Type Question And Answers

Question 1. Discuss the steps taken to increase production in the field of agriculture.
Answer:

There were various steps taken to increase production in the field of agriculture. These were

New tools like iron ploughshare and the system of transplantation were used to increase agricultural production.

Irrigation works like canals, tanks, wells, artificial lakes etc were built.

Question 2. List the different kinds of people who lived in the Tamil region.
Answer:

1. The different kinds of people who lived in the Tamil region were as follows
2. Large landowners who were known as Vellalar.
3. Ordinary ploughmen were known as uzhavar.
4. Landless labourers, including slaves, were known as kadaisiyar.

Question 3. What do you understand by the term ‘punch-marked coins’? Explain in brief.
Answer:

• Punch-marked coins were generally rectangular, square or round in shape, either cut out of metal sheets or made out of flattened metal globules (a small spherical body).
• The coins were not inscribed but were stamped with symbols using dies or punches. Hence, they are called punch-marked coins.

Question 4. Explain the inscriptions found in Mathura.
Answer:

1. In Mathura, many inscriptions on surfaces such as stone slabs and statues have been found. These are short inscriptions, that mention gifts given by men and sometimes by women, to monasteries and shrines.
2. These inscriptions were made by kings and queens, officers, merchants and craftspersons. Inscriptions of Mathura give information about different professionals of this city such as goldsmiths, blacksmiths, weavers, basket makers, garland makers, perfumers, etc.

Question 5. How did the Kushanas benefit from their control over the silk route, and what regions were included in their kingdom?
Answer:

• The Kushanas from their control over the silk route could benefit from taxes, tributes and gifts that were brought by traders travelling along the route. In return, they provided protection to the traders, who passed from their kingdom, by the attacks of robbers.
• The Kushanas ruled over Central Asia and North-West around 2000 years ago. The two major centres of power of Kushanas were Peshawar and Mathura. Taxila was also included in their kingdom.

Question 6. Write a short note on the Northern Black Polished Ware.
Answer:

• Northern Black Polished Ware is an extremely fine pottery. It is a hard, wheel-made, metallic-looking ware with a shiny black surface.
• The potter used to expose the earthenware to very high temperatures in his kiln which resulted in the blackening of its outer surface. It is generally found in the Northern part of the sub-continent.
• A fine black slip was applied on this ware, which gave the pottery a mirror-like shine.

Question 7. Describe the importance of shrines in three points.
Answer:

Shrenis had important roles in ancient societies as follows

• They empowered craftspersons by offering training, material procurement and product distribution.
• Merchants’ shrines organised trade, supporting commerce and trade networks.
• Shrenis also served as banks, where rich men and women deposited money.

Question 8. ‘The chiefs did not collect regular taxes’. Then, how were their expenses met?
Answer:

The chiefs did not collect regular taxes, however their expenses were met from the gifts they demanded and received from people. They also went on military expeditions and collected tributes from neighbouring areas.

They kept some wealth and distributed the rest between supporters including family members, poets and soldiers. There are poems in the Sangam collection praising the chiefs who rewarded the poets with gold, precious stones, horses, elephants, chariots and fine cloth.

Question 9. Which dynasty became powerful in Western India around 200 BC? Explain.
Answer:

Around 200 BC, the Satavahana dynasty became powerful in Western India. Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni was the most significant ruler of this dynasty. An inscription composed by his mother, Gautami Balashri gives information about him.

Gautamiputra and other Satavahana rulers of this dynasty came to be known as lords of the dakshinapatha which literally the route leading to the South and used as a name for the entire South region. Gautamiputra sent his army to the Eastern, Western and Southern coasts.

History Chapter 8 Villages, Towns And Trade Long Answer Type Question And Answers

Question 1. “ Very often, a single town was important for a variety of reasons”. Support the statement with suitable examples.

Answer:

, During the period of around 3000 years ago, mostly, Llefown was important for a variety of reasons. For example. Mathura has been an important town for settlement, for more than 2500 years because, it was situated at the crossroads of two major routes of trade. PC are from the North-West to East and from North to South

In Mathura, there were several shrines and fortifications around the city. Farmers and herders from nearby areas provided food for the people in the city. Mathura was also famous as a centre that produced extremely fine sculptures.

Question 2. ‘Fine pottery especially bowls and plates, were found from several archaeological sites throughout the sub-continent’. How do you think it reached these places? Explain in detail.

Answer:

Fine pottery especially bowls and plates, were found at several archaeological sites throughout the sub-continent Traders are the persons who used to carry these things from the places where they are made, to the places where they are sold. Roman gold coins have been found in South India, which provides clear proof that a lot of trade was carried out in the past.

Traders explored various sea routes some of which followed the coasts. Some of them were across the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, where monsoon winds helped in crossing the seas more quickly. If traders wanted to reach the Western coast of the sub-continent from East Africa or Arabia, they chose to sail with the South-West monsoon. Strong ships had to be built for these long journeys.

Question 3. What archaeological sources have been excavated in Arikamedu?

Answer:

1. Archaeological sources that have been excavated in Arikamedu include
2. A huge brick structure, which may have been a warehouse, was found at this site.
3. Pottery from the Mediterranean region, like amphorae and stamped red-glazed pottery, called Arratine Ware were found.
4. Roman lamps, glassware and gems have also been found at Arikamedu.
5. Small tanks were also found at this site which were probably used to dye cloth.
6. Evidence for making beads from semi-precious stone and glass was also found.