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

Solution: The correct matches are as follows, with explanations:

Muvendar corresponds to Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas. The term 'Muvendar' is a Tamil word meaning 'three chiefs', referring to the heads of these three prominent ruling families who controlled large parts of South India.

Lords of the Dakshinapatha corresponds to Satavahana rulers. The Satavahana rulers were powerful kings who dominated the Deccan region (Dakshinapatha) in western India.

Ashvaghosha corresponds to Buddhacharita. Ashvaghosha was a renowned poet and scholar who lived in the court of King Kanishka and authored the 'Buddhacharita', an epic poem about the life of Lord Buddha.

Bodhisattvas corresponds to Mahayana Buddhism. In Mahayana Buddhism, Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who choose to delay their own nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment. They are seen as compassionate figures who guide people towards the Buddha's teachings.

Xuan Zang corresponds to Chinese pilgrim. Xuan Zang was a famous Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, and traveler who visited India in the 7th century CE. He documented his extensive travels and experiences in India, providing valuable historical accounts.

Solution: Kings desired to control the Silk Route primarily for economic and strategic reasons. The Silk Route was a vital network for the trade of valuable goods, especially silk, which was a highly prized commodity in ancient times. By controlling these routes, kings could:

1. Collect Taxes and Tribute: They could levy taxes on the goods passing through their territories and demand tribute from the traders, significantly increasing the royal treasury.
2. Gain Wealth: The trade generated substantial wealth, and controlling the routes ensured a steady flow of this wealth to the kingdom.
3. Provide Protection: In return for taxes, kings often provided protection to the traders against bandits and other dangers along the route, ensuring the safety of merchants and their goods.

Controlling these routes also enhanced the king's prestige and political influence.

Solution: Historians use a variety of archaeological and textual evidence to reconstruct the history of trade and trade routes. These include:

1. Pottery: The discovery of specific types of pottery at different archaeological sites can indicate trade connections, as pottery was often transported over long distances.
2. Writings of Travelers: Accounts and notebooks written by travelers, merchants, and pilgrims who journeyed along these routes provide firsthand information about the goods traded, the routes taken, and the conditions of travel.
3. Distribution of Foreign Items: The presence of items originating from foreign lands in archaeological excavations within a region is strong evidence of trade. For example, the finding of Roman gold coins in South India clearly indicates trade relations between South India and the Roman Empire.
4. Ancient Literature: Poems and texts composed during the period, such as the Sangam poems in Tamil literature, often contain descriptions of trade, traders, ports, and the goods that were exchanged.

By analyzing these diverse sources, historians piece together a picture of ancient economic activities and commercial networks.

Solution: The Bhakti tradition, which emerged as a significant devotional movement, is characterized by several key features:

1. Devotion to a Chosen Deity: The core of Bhakti is intense love and devotion towards a particular god or goddess, who is considered the supreme deity by the devotee.
2. Freedom of Choice: There were no rigid restrictions on the choice of the deity one could worship. People were free to choose the deity they felt most connected to.
3. Inclusivity: Bhakti practice was open to all people, regardless of their social class, caste, gender, or background. It aimed to be a more egalitarian form of worship.
4. Simpler Path: Compared to the elaborate rituals of Brahmanical traditions or the asceticism of Buddhism and Jainism, Bhakti offered a more accessible path to spiritual fulfillment. Devotees could lead ordinary lives while still practicing their devotion.

This emphasis on personal devotion and inclusivity made Bhakti a popular and widespread movement.