CBSE Class 6 Social Science History Chapter 9: Vital Villages, Thriving Towns NCERT Solutions

Solution:

(a) 'Vellalar' was the term used for large landowners in Tamil regions.

(b) The 'gramabhojaka', who was often the largest landowner, typically had his land cultivated by hired labourers or slaves, referred to as 'uzhavar' in Tamil.

(c) In Tamil, ploughmen or ordinary farmers were known as 'uzhavar'.

(d) Most 'grihapatis' were smaller farmers or landowners who worked their own land, often with the help of family members or hired labour.

Solution:

The 'gramabhojaka' held several important functions in the village. As the largest landowner, he often had slaves and hired workers to cultivate his land. His power stemmed from multiple responsibilities entrusted to him by the king. These included the crucial task of collecting taxes from the villagers, which gave him significant authority. Additionally, the 'gramabhojaka' often served as a village policeman, maintaining order, and also acted as a judge, settling disputes among the villagers. This combination of land ownership, tax collection, and judicial/policing roles made him a very powerful figure in the village administration.

Solution:

Craftspersons who were essential for daily life and likely present in both villages and cities included: carpenters (who made tools, furniture, and carts), weavers (who made cloth), potters (who made earthen pots for storage and cooking), metalworkers (like blacksmiths who made tools and weapons, and goldsmiths who made ornaments), and possibly stone cutters and masons (for construction).

Solution:

(a) Ring wells were used for 4. drainage. These were structures made of pottery rings or stones, used to dispose of waste water in ancient cities.

(b) Punch marked coins were often made of 1. Silver, though they could also be made of copper. These coins had symbols punched onto them.

(c) Mathura was an important 3. religious centre. It was also a significant trading centre due to its location at the crossroads of major routes.

(d) 'Shrenis' were associations of 2. craftspersons and also merchants, who worked together to manage their trade and crafts.

Solution:

The iron tools typically shown in this context are the sickle, axe, and tongs. For agriculture, the sickle would have been extremely important for harvesting crops like grains and cutting fodder. The axe would also be useful for clearing land, chopping wood for farming needs, and possibly for construction related to farming structures. The tongs, on the other hand, are general-purpose tools used by blacksmiths and other metalworkers. They would have been used to hold hot metal pieces securely while shaping them, preventing the user from getting burned.

Solution:

Similarities: Both ancient cities and modern localities aim to manage waste water effectively to maintain hygiene and prevent flooding. The fundamental purpose of a drainage system—to carry away used water and waste—remains the same. Both systems involve channels or pipes to direct the flow of water.

Differences:

Materials: Ancient drainage systems were often constructed using materials like mud bricks, stone slabs, and pottery rings (for ring wells). Modern systems predominantly use durable materials like concrete, PVC pipes, and cast iron.

Design and Efficiency: While ancient systems were remarkably advanced for their time, modern drainage systems are generally more complex, scientifically designed, and efficient, often incorporating underground networks and treatment facilities.

Maintenance: Modern systems are typically well-maintained by civic authorities, ensuring continuous functionality. Ancient systems might have required more localized or ad-hoc maintenance and were perhaps more susceptible to damage or blockage over time.

Scope: Modern systems often cover larger areas and integrate with sewage treatment plants, whereas ancient systems primarily focused on channeling surface and waste water away from living areas.

Solution:

Observing a weaver at work, one can see a fascinating process. The raw material, usually cotton or wool, is first spun into thread using a spinning wheel (charkha) or a similar device. This thread is then carefully set up on a loom, which is the primary equipment. The weaver skillfully manipulates the loom, interlacing the warp and weft threads to create fabric. This requires concentration and dexterity. The finished cloth is then sold in the market, either directly by the weaver or through merchants, to be used for making garments or other textile products.

Solution:

In contemporary cities and villages, men and women perform a wide array of functions to sustain their families and communities. Men and women work in various professions, including agriculture, crafts, trade, education, healthcare, and administration. Many women also manage households and raise children, while men often engage in physically demanding jobs or long-distance trade. Similarities with Mathura:

• Providing Goods and Services: Just like in Mathura, people today work to produce food, craft items, and provide services essential for the community's survival and well-being.
• Trade and Commerce: Both then and now, trade and commerce are vital. People in cities like Mathura were involved in trade along routes, and today, trade continues to be a major economic activity, connecting cities and villages.
• Family and Community Roles: Basic roles related to family sustenance and community contribution are timeless.

Differences from Mathura:

• Diversity of Professions: Modern society offers a much wider range of specialized professions and employment opportunities compared to ancient times.
• Gender Roles: While traditional roles might persist, there is a greater emphasis on gender equality today, with women participating more broadly in all spheres of work, including those traditionally dominated by men.
• Technology: The tools, equipment, and methods used in agriculture, crafts, and trade are vastly different and more advanced due to technological progress.
• Scale of Trade: Modern trade operates on a much larger, often global, scale compared to the localized or regional trade networks of ancient Mathura.

Overall, while the fundamental need to work and contribute to society remains, the nature, diversity, and scale of these functions have evolved significantly.