CBSE Class 6 Social Science History Chapter 10: Traders, Kings and Pilgrims NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 6 PDF

This chapter, "Traders, Kings and Pilgrims" for CBSE Class 6 Social Science History, delves into the vibrant world of ancient trade routes, powerful kingdoms, and the spread of Buddhism. It explores the significance of port cities like Puhar, the fertile river valleys, and the empires of the Pandyas, Satavahanas, and Kushanas. The solutions also shed light on the journey of pilgrims like Xuan Zang and the evolution of Buddhist thought, including the concept of Bodhisattvas and the Bhakti movement. Understanding these historical dynamics provides crucial insights into the interconnectedness of ancient societies and the development of cultural and religious practices. These NCERT Solutions offer clear explanations and step-by-step answers to help students grasp the core concepts, prepare for exams, and develop a deeper appreciation for ancient Indian history.

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 6
SubjectSocial Science
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterHistory - Chapter 10 Traders, Kings and Pilgrims

Chapter summary

Chapter 10 of CBSE Class 6 Social Science History focuses on the interactions between traders, kings, and pilgrims in ancient India. It covers important port cities, major dynasties like the Pandyas, Satavahanas, and Kushanas, and their territories. The chapter also discusses the spread of Buddhism, the role of figures like Buddha and Bodhisattvas, and the emergence of the Bhakti tradition. The NCERT Solutions provide answers to multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blanks, true/false statements, matching exercises, and short answer questions, aiding students in understanding trade networks, political structures, and religious developments of the era.

Learning outcomes

  • Identify important port cities and river valleys in ancient South India.
  • Understand the significance of dynasties like the Pandyas, Satavahanas, and Kushanas.
  • Explain the role of traders and the goods they exchanged.
  • Describe the spread of Buddhism and the concept of Bodhisattvas.
  • Recognize the emergence of the Bhakti tradition.
  • Trace the journeys of pilgrims like Xuan Zang.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Trade and Port Cities
  • River Valleys
  • The Pandyas
  • The Satavahanas
  • The Kushanas
  • Central Asia and North-West India
  • Spread of Buddhism
  • Bodhisattvas
  • Bhakti Tradition
  • Pilgrims and Journeys
  • Ancient Monasteries
  • Sculpture Centers

Important topics

  • Traders and Trade Routes
  • Dynasties: Pandyas, Satavahanas, Kushanas
  • Spread of Buddhism and Bodhisattvas
  • Pilgrims like Xuan Zang
  • Bhakti Tradition
  • Key Locations: Puhar, Madurai, Peshawar, Mathura, Nalanda

PDF preview

Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.

Loading document …
Page of
Loading page …

Questions and Solutions

I. Multiple Choice Questions

Choose the correct option to complete the statements given below:

(i) Puhar was an important port on the

(a) West coast (b) East coast (c) Malabar coast (d) None of the above.

(ii) The most fertile river valley was

(a) Kaveri (b) Yamuna (c) Ganga (d) None of the above.

(iii) The capital of the Pandyas was

(a) Madurai (b) Mudumalai (c) Patliputra (d) Ujjain.

(iv) The Satavahanas became an Important dynasty in

(a) Northern India (b) Eastern India (c) Southern India (d) Western India.

(v) The rulers who ruled over central Asia and north-west India around 2000 years ago were

(a) Pandyas (b) Cholas (c) Kushanas (d) Cheras.

Solution:

Here are the correct options for the statements:

  1. (b) East coast. Puhar, also known as Kaveripattinam, was a major port city located on the eastern coast of South India, serving the Chola kingdom.
  2. (c) Ganga. The Ganga river valley was historically known for its fertile land, which supported large populations and agricultural development.
  3. (a) Madurai. Madurai was the capital city of the ancient Pandya kingdom, a significant power in South India.
  4. (d) Western India. The Satavahana dynasty rose to prominence in the western and southern parts of India, particularly in the Deccan region.
  5. (c) Kushanas. The Kushanas were a powerful dynasty that controlled a vast empire, including parts of Central Asia and North India, around 2000 years ago.

II. Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with appropriate words to complete each sentence.

(i) Gold, ...... and ..... were in abundance in South India.

(ii) Gautamiputra Shri Satakami and other Satavahana rulers were known as lords of the ......

(iii) The famous Kushana ruler ...... organised a Buddhist council.

(iv) The older form of Buddhism was known as .....

(v) Buddha's attainment of enlightenment was shown by sculptures of the ..... tree.

(vi) Anyone could follow the path of......

(vii) Xuan Zang, a Chinese Buddhist pilgrim took the...... route to return China.

(viii) ...... was the most famous Buddhist monastery.

(ix) The two major centres of power of the Kushanas were ...... and ............................

(x) The images of deities were placed within special homes or places known as

Solution:

Here are the completed sentences:

  1. Gold, spices and precious stones were in abundance in South India. South India was particularly famous for its spices like pepper and valuable gemstones.
  2. Gautamiputra Shri Satakami and other Satavahana rulers were known as lords of the Dakshinapatha. Dakshinapatha refers to the southern route or region.
  3. The famous Kushana ruler Kanishka organised a Buddhist council. Kanishka convened the fourth Buddhist council.
  4. The older form of Buddhism was known as Theravada. Theravada represents the original teachings of the Buddha.
  5. Buddha's attainment of enlightenment was shown by sculptures of the peepal tree. The peepal tree is sacred in Buddhism as it is where Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment.
  6. Anyone could follow the path of Bhakti. The Bhakti movement emphasized devotion to a deity as a path to salvation.
  7. Xuan Zang, a Chinese Buddhist pilgrim took the Silk Road route to return China. This was a major ancient trade route connecting East and West.
  8. Nalanda was the most famous Buddhist monastery. Nalanda University in Bihar was a renowned center of learning for Buddhism.
  9. The two major centres of power of the Kushanas were Peshawar and Mathura. These cities were vital administrative and cultural hubs for the Kushana empire.
  10. The images of deities were placed within special homes or places known as temples. Temples served as sacred spaces for worship and devotion.

III. True/False

State whether these sentences are true (T) or false (F).

(i) Fa Xian started his journey back home from Nalanda.

(ii) Pepper, a very important spice grown in South India was known as black gold in the Roman Empire.

(iii) Muvendar is a Bengali word meaning three chiefs.

(iv) Puhar or Kaveripattinam was the port of the Pandyas.

(v) The statues of Buddha were made in Mathura and Taxila.

(vi) Bodhisattvas were persons who had attained enlightenment.

Solution:

Here is the classification of the sentences as true or false:

  1. (F) False. Fa Xian, a Chinese Buddhist monk, returned to China from India, but his journey did not specifically start from Nalanda. Xuan Zang is more famously associated with returning via a difficult route after studying at Nalanda.
  2. (T) True. Pepper, a highly valued spice from South India, was so sought after in the Roman Empire that it was often referred to as 'black gold' due to its immense worth.
  3. (F) False. 'Muvendar' is a Tamil word, not Bengali. It means 'three chiefs' and refers to the heads of the three major Tamil kingdoms: the Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas.
  4. (F) False. While Puhar was an important port city, it was primarily associated with the Cholas. The Pandyas' capital was Madurai, and they had access to ports, but Puhar is more strongly linked to the Cholas.
  5. (T) True. The regions of Mathura and Taxila were significant centers for the creation of sculptures depicting the Buddha and Bodhisattvas during the Kushana period.
  6. (T) True. In Mahayana Buddhism, Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who delay their own nirvana to help all sentient beings achieve enlightenment.

IV. Matching Skill

Match the items in column A correctly with those given in column B.

Column A

  1. Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni
  2. Mahayana
  3. Ashvaghosha
  4. Bhakti
  5. The Kushanas

Column B

worship of a good or goddess

(a) Satavahanas

(b) Buddha

(c) A Buddhist philosopher and poet

(d) A form of Buddhism

(e) A dynasty ruling North India

Solution:

Here is the correct matching between the items in Column A and Column B:

  1. Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni matches with (a) Satavahanas. He was a prominent ruler of the Satavahana dynasty.
  2. Mahayana matches with (d) A form of Buddhism. Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism that developed later.
  3. Ashvaghosha matches with (c) A Buddhist philosopher and poet. Ashvaghosha was a renowned scholar and poet associated with the Kushana court.
  4. Bhakti matches with worship of a good or goddess. Bhakti refers to devotion and worship towards a deity.
  5. The Kushanas matches with (e) A dynasty ruling North India. The Kushanas were a powerful dynasty that ruled over a large part of North India and Central Asia.

V. Very Short Answer Type Questions

1. Where can evidence of trade be found?

2. What was South India famous for? [Imp.]

Q. 3. How can you say that Rome had a flourishing trade with south India?

Solution:
  1. Evidence of trade can be found in the Sangam poems. These ancient Tamil poems provide rich descriptions of trade activities, merchants, and port cities in South India.
  2. South India was famous for its production of valuable items such as gold, precious stones, and especially spices like pepper. These goods were highly sought after in other regions.
  3. We can say that Rome had a flourishing trade with South India because many Roman gold coins have been found in South India. The discovery of these coins indicates extensive trade and economic exchange between the two regions.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the locations of important port cities and capitals.
  • Misidentifying the rulers and territories of ancient dynasties.
  • Incorrectly associating historical figures with specific events or concepts.
  • Confusing the older form of Buddhism with later developments.

Revision tips

  • Create a timeline of the major dynasties and their periods.
  • Map the locations of important cities, ports, and trade routes mentioned.
  • Summarize the key contributions of traders, kings, and pilgrims.
  • Review the definitions of terms like Bodhisattva and Bhakti.
  • Practice answering the different types of questions (MCQ, Fill-in-the-blanks, etc.) to reinforce learning.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which important port city was located on the east coast of South India?

Q2. The Satavahana rulers, including Gautamiputra Shri Satakami, were known as lords of which region?

Q3. Which famous Kushana ruler organized a significant Buddhist council?

Q4. What was the older form of Buddhism known as?

Q5. The statues of Buddha and Bodhisattvas were primarily made in which two centers?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main focus of CBSE Class 6 History Chapter 10?

Chapter 10, 'Traders, Kings and Pilgrims', focuses on the interactions between traders, rulers, and religious travelers in ancient India, highlighting trade routes, important kingdoms, and the spread of Buddhism and Bhakti traditions.

Which were the important port cities mentioned in this chapter?

Puhar (Kaveripattinam) on the east coast was an important port city, particularly associated with the Cholas and later the Pandyas.

Who were the Satavahanas and where did they rule?

The Satavahanas were an important dynasty that ruled in western and southern India, with Gautamiputra Shri Satakami being one of their most famous rulers.

What role did pilgrims play in ancient India?

Pilgrims, like the Chinese traveler Xuan Zang, traveled extensively, often along trade routes, spreading religious ideas and cultural practices. Their journeys provide valuable historical accounts.

What is the significance of Bodhisattvas in Buddhism?

Bodhisattvas were individuals who had attained enlightenment but chose to remain in the world to help others achieve it, playing a central role in Mahayana Buddhism.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to all questions in the chapter, helping students understand complex historical concepts, revise effectively, and prepare for their examinations.

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.