New Beginnings: Cities and States : Class 7 : Social Science
Summary –
Emergence of New Towns
Between 7th and 12th centuries, many towns developed in India.
These towns were centres of trade, administration, learning, and crafts.
Three types of towns emerged:
Temple towns – e.g., Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu), Madurai, Somnath.
Administrative towns – capitals like Delhi, Kannauj, Ujjain.
Commercial towns – Surat, Hampi, Masulipatnam.
Temple Towns
Temples became not only religious centres but also economic hubs.
Priests, artisans, merchants, and workers lived around temples.
Example: Thanjavur in Chola kingdom was a famous temple town.
Trade and Commerce
Traders formed guilds (groups of merchants).
South Indian guilds like the Manigramam and Ayyavole traded within India and overseas.
India exported spices, textiles, precious stones.
Traders used ports like Calicut, Surat, Cambay, and Masulipatnam.
Crafts and Artisans
Towns had weavers, metal workers, potters, and sculptors.
Indian textiles (cotton, silk, muslin) were famous worldwide.
Artisans often worked under guilds and supplied goods for trade.
Administrative Towns
Capitals grew around palaces, forts, and markets.
Example: Delhi became a powerful administrative centre with forts, mosques, and bazaars.
Decline and Change
Some towns declined due to political instability, loss of patronage, or natural causes.
New towns grew with changing dynasties and trade routes.
Cultural Influence
Growth of towns led to mixing of cultures, ideas, and traditions.
Temples, mosques, palaces, and markets reflected India’s rich heritage.
SHORT QUESTION–ANSWERS
1. What are the three types of towns that developed in medieval India?
Answer: Temple towns, administrative towns, and commercial towns.
2. What is meant by a temple town?
Answer: A town that developed around a large temple which served as a religious, cultural, and economic centre.
3. Give one example of a temple town.
Answer: Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu.
4. Why was Thanjavur important in Chola kingdom?
Answer: It was the capital, a temple town, and a centre of administration, craft, and trade.
5. What are commercial towns?
Answer: Towns that grew as centres of trade and commerce, such as Surat and Masulipatnam.
6. Give an example of an administrative town.
Answer: Delhi.
7. Why were temples also centres of economy?
Answer: They employed priests, artisans, traders, and workers, making them centres of economic activity.
8. Name two South Indian merchant guilds.
Answer: Manigramam and Ayyavole.
9. What were guilds?
Answer: Associations of merchants or artisans who controlled trade and protected their interests.
10. What did Indian traders export?
Answer: Spices, textiles, precious stones, and ivory.
11. Which goods were imported to India?
Answer: Horses, silk, gold, and silver.
12. Name two important ports of medieval India.
Answer: Calicut and Surat.
13. Why were Indian textiles famous worldwide?
Answer: For their fine quality, beautiful designs, and durability.
14. What is muslin?
Answer: A fine cotton fabric produced in Bengal.
15. Who were artisans?
Answer: Skilled workers such as weavers, metal workers, potters, and sculptors.
16. Why was Delhi an important town?
Answer: It was an administrative capital, with forts, palaces, mosques, and markets.
17. How did towns promote cultural development?
Answer: They encouraged interaction of different cultures, leading to new traditions, art, and architecture.
18. What caused the decline of some towns?
Answer: Political instability, loss of royal patronage, and natural disasters.
19. What role did traders play in towns?
Answer: They carried goods for trade, linked markets, and brought wealth to towns.
20. What was Hampi famous for?
Answer: It was a capital of the Vijayanagar Empire and a rich commercial centre.
21. What was Surat known for?
Answer: As a major port and commercial hub of western India.
22. Which foreign traders visited India during medieval times?
Answer: Arabs, Persians, Chinese, and Europeans.
23. How did the growth of towns help the economy?
Answer: It increased trade, crafts, and employment.
24. Why were temples important for rulers?
Answer: They symbolized power, wealth, and devotion of the rulers.
25. What was Masulipatnam known for?
Answer: It was a famous port on the eastern coast for overseas trade.
26. Which crops supported trade in towns?
Answer: Spices, cotton, rice, and sugarcane.
27. Why were horse imports important?
Answer: Horses were used in armies, so their trade was profitable.
28. What is meant by cultural tapestry?
Answer: The blending of different cultures, traditions, and lifestyles in towns.
29. What kind of buildings were built in administrative towns?
Answer: Palaces, forts, mosques, temples, and bazaars.
30. How did crafts support trade?
Answer: Craftsmen produced textiles, ornaments, and goods that were sold locally and abroad.
31. What was the role of markets in towns?
Answer: Markets served as centres of buying and selling for local and foreign goods.
32. Give an example of a town that declined.
Answer: Kannauj.
33. Why did Kannauj decline?
Answer: Due to repeated invasions and loss of political importance.
34. What was the significance of bazaar towns?
Answer: They were hubs of daily trade and interaction for townspeople.
35. How did agriculture support towns?
Answer: Surplus crops were traded in towns, supporting markets and population growth.
36. Why were rulers interested in controlling towns?
Answer: Towns brought wealth through trade, taxes, and resources.
37. What were imported goods mainly used for?
Answer: Luxuries for rulers, weapons, and military needs.
38. How did temples encourage crafts?
Answer: Temples required idols, ornaments, and decorations, encouraging artisans.
39. Why were ports important?
Answer: They linked India with international trade networks.
40. What does the growth of towns tell us about medieval India?
Answer: It shows India’s prosperity, diversity, and importance in global trade.
LONG QUESTION–ANSWERS
1. Describe the three types of towns that developed in medieval India.
Answer: In medieval India, three types of towns emerged:
Temple towns – built around temples, such as Thanjavur and Madurai, which became centres of worship and economic activities.
Administrative towns – capitals of kingdoms like Delhi and Kannauj, which developed around forts, palaces, and offices.
Commercial towns – such as Surat, Masulipatnam, and Calicut, which thrived on trade and exchange of goods.
2. Explain the importance of Thanjavur as a temple town.
Answer: Thanjavur was the capital of the Chola kingdom and home to the Brihadeshwara Temple. It served as:
A religious centre, attracting pilgrims.
An economic hub, employing priests, artisans, and traders.
A cultural centre, with music, dance, and learning.
A political capital, where administration was conducted.
3. How did temples act as centres of economy and culture?
Answer: Temples were not only religious sites but also:
Economic hubs, employing artisans, dancers, and traders.
Cultural centres, promoting music, art, and learning.
Storage and redistribution centres for wealth and grain.
Social meeting places where communities interacted.
4. What role did merchants and guilds play in the growth of towns?
Answer:
Merchants formed guilds like Manigramam and Ayyavole.
They controlled trade routes, ensured safety of goods, and regulated prices.
Guilds helped traders expand to foreign lands.
They financed temples and towns, boosting prosperity.
5. Discuss the importance of trade in the growth of towns.
Answer:
Trade connected villages to towns and towns to ports.
India exported spices, cotton textiles, and gems.
Traders imported silk, gold, silver, and horses.
Ports like Surat and Calicut connected India with Arabs, Chinese, and Europeans.
Wealth from trade supported towns, rulers, and artisans.
6. Describe the major exports and imports of medieval India.
Answer:
Exports: Spices (pepper, cardamom), textiles (cotton, silk, muslin), ivory, and precious stones.
Imports: Horses for armies, silk, gold, silver, and luxury goods.
This exchange made India famous in international markets.
7. Why were Indian textiles famous worldwide?
Answer:
Textiles like cotton and silk were of fine quality.
Muslin from Bengal was extremely soft and light.
Bright dyes and intricate designs made them attractive.
Traders carried them to Europe, West Asia, and Southeast Asia.
8. Explain the significance of Surat as a commercial town.
Answer:
Surat was a major port in Gujarat.
It was a hub of international trade with Arabs and Europeans.
Export of textiles, indigo, and spices occurred from Surat.
It had cosmopolitan markets with Hindus, Muslims, and foreigners.
9. Why was Masulipatnam an important port?
Answer:
Located on the Coromandel Coast, it connected with Southeast Asia.
It was famous for trade in textiles and spices.
Europeans like the Dutch and English competed for its trade.
It became a busy centre for overseas merchants.
10. What was the importance of Hampi as a town?
Answer:
Capital of the Vijayanagar Empire.
Rich in temples, palaces, and markets.
Known for its thriving trade in horses, textiles, and spices.
A cultural hub of music, art, and learning.
11. Explain the role of artisans in towns.
Answer:
Weavers produced silk, cotton, and muslin textiles.
Metal workers created ornaments and weapons.
Potters and sculptors decorated temples and markets.
Artisans supplied goods for both local use and export.
12. How did agriculture support the growth of towns?
Answer:
Surplus crops provided food for urban populations.
Agricultural products like cotton and spices were traded.
Farmers supplied raw materials for artisans.
Towns grew as centres for storage and trade of grains.
13. Why were horse imports important in medieval India?
Answer:
Horses were essential for strong cavalry in armies.
They were imported from Arabia, Persia, and Central Asia.
Trade in horses brought profit to merchants and ports.
Rulers spent heavily on horse imports for warfare.
14. Describe the role of bazaars in towns.
Answer:
Bazaars were central marketplaces.
Local goods like grains, cloth, and ornaments were sold.
Merchants from abroad traded luxury goods.
They served as meeting points for cultural and economic exchange.
15. How did towns reflect India’s cultural diversity?
Answer:
Towns had temples, mosques, and churches.
Traders and pilgrims from different regions mixed.
Art, music, and festivals flourished.
The presence of Arabs, Chinese, and Europeans added cultural variety.
16. Why were rulers interested in building and controlling towns?
Answer:
Towns brought revenue through trade and taxes.
They symbolized power with forts, palaces, and temples.
Rulers could control trade routes and ports.
Patronage of temples and markets strengthened their rule.
17. How did the decline of some towns occur?
Answer:
Wars and invasions destroyed prosperity (e.g., Kannauj).
Changes in trade routes shifted importance.
Natural disasters and epidemics also caused decline.
Loss of royal patronage weakened towns.
18. Describe the cultural contributions of temple towns.
Answer:
Promoted music, dance, and festivals.
Provided education and learning centres.
Encouraged architecture and sculpture.
Became pilgrimage centres attracting people from afar.
19. Explain why India was called the “land of cities and states.”
Answer:
Because throughout history, new towns and states emerged due to political power, trade, and cultural growth. Capitals, ports, and temple towns showcased India’s diversity and prosperity.
20. How did overseas trade enrich Indian towns?
Answer:
Traders exchanged Indian textiles and spices for gold, silver, and silk.
Ports connected India with Europe, West Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Towns like Surat and Masulipatnam grew wealthy.
Rulers earned taxes from foreign merchants.
21. Discuss the role of temples in promoting crafts and artisans.
Answer:
Temples required idols, ornaments, and lamps.
Artisans made bronze, stone, and wooden objects.
Weavers provided textiles for rituals.
This encouraged craft production and trade.
22. What was the role of foreign traders in Indian towns?
Answer:
Arabs, Chinese, and Europeans visited ports.
They introduced new goods like silk and gold.
They spread Indian textiles abroad.
Their presence made Indian towns cosmopolitan.
23. Describe the growth of Delhi as an administrative town.
Answer:
Delhi became the capital under several dynasties.
It had forts, mosques, palaces, and bazaars.
It served as a centre for administration and military power.
Merchants and artisans settled there due to royal patronage.
24. How did religion influence the growth of towns?
Answer:
Pilgrims visited temples and mosques, boosting local trade.
Religious centres attracted donations, artisans, and workers.
Festivals increased demand for goods and crafts.
Spiritual centres promoted cultural activities.
25. Compare temple towns and commercial towns.
Answer:
Temple towns: grew around temples (Thanjavur, Madurai), centred on religion and culture.
Commercial towns: grew around markets and ports (Surat, Hampi), centred on trade.
Both contributed to economy but in different ways.
26. What role did the Chola kings play in town development?
Answer:
Built magnificent temples like Brihadeshwara.
Encouraged trade with Southeast Asia.
Supported artisans and guilds.
Made Thanjavur a capital of politics, religion, and trade.
27. Why did Europeans compete for Indian ports?
Answer:
Indian spices and textiles were in high demand in Europe.
Ports like Surat and Masulipatnam were gateways to trade.
Control of ports meant access to wealth.
This led to rivalry among Portuguese, Dutch, English, and French.
28. How did towns influence rural areas?
Answer:
Farmers supplied grains and raw materials to towns.
Villages received goods like salt and cloth from towns.
Rural and urban areas were interdependent.
29. Why were ports like Calicut famous?
Answer:
Calicut was known as the “City of Spices.”
It attracted Arab and Chinese traders.
A hub for pepper and cardamom exports.
It connected India with the Indian Ocean trade network.
30. Describe the features of markets in medieval towns.
Answer:
Separate bazaars for different goods.
Weekly markets for villagers.
Presence of moneylenders and bankers.
Markets were colourful, busy, and diverse.
31. How did invasions affect Indian towns?
Answer:
Repeated invasions destroyed towns like Kannauj.
Wealth of temples was looted.
Political instability reduced trade.
Populations declined due to insecurity.
32. How were Indian towns connected to global trade?
Answer:
Ships carried goods to Arabia, China, and Europe.
Foreign traders stayed in Indian ports.
Spices, textiles, and precious stones reached global markets.
India became a hub of the Indian Ocean trade.
33. Why is Thanjavur a good example of a medieval Indian town?
Answer:
It was the Chola capital, with Brihadeshwara Temple.
A religious, administrative, and cultural centre.
A hub of artisans, traders, and guilds.
Linked to both inland and overseas trade.
34. Discuss the cultural life of people in towns.
Answer:
Festivals, fairs, and markets were common.
Music, dance, and theatre thrived.
Crafts and architecture developed.
People from different regions lived together.
35. What does the growth of towns tell us about medieval India?
Answer:
It shows that medieval India was prosperous, diverse, and connected to the world. Trade, religion, and politics played equal roles in shaping towns. Towns reflect the cultural and economic richness of India’s past.
MCQS WITH ANSWERS
1. Which was the capital of the Chola kingdom?
a) Madurai
b) Thanjavur
c) Kannauj
d) Hampi
Answer: b) Thanjavur
2. The Brihadeshwara Temple was built by which ruler?
a) Rajaraja Chola I
b) Krishna Deva Raya
c) Harshavardhana
d) Akbar
Answer: a) Rajaraja Chola I
3. Which of these was not a type of town in medieval India?
a) Temple town
b) Administrative town
c) Industrial town
d) Commercial town
Answer: c) Industrial town
4. Which of the following was a major port on the Coromandel Coast?
a) Surat
b) Masulipatnam
c) Calicut
d) Thanjavur
Answer: b) Masulipatnam
5. Which town was famous as the “City of Spices”?
a) Surat
b) Calicut
c) Hampi
d) Delhi
Answer: b) Calicut
6. What was Hampi known for?
a) As a port town
b) As a Vijayanagar capital
c) As a Buddhist centre
d) As a Mughal capital
Answer: b) As a Vijayanagar capital
7. The Brihadeshwara Temple is dedicated to:
a) Lord Vishnu
b) Goddess Durga
c) Lord Shiva
d) Lord Krishna
Answer: c) Lord Shiva
8. Which of these was an important commercial town in Gujarat?
a) Thanjavur
b) Surat
c) Hampi
d) Madurai
Answer: b) Surat
9. Who were the Ayyavole and Manigramam?
a) Rulers
b) Merchants’ guilds
c) Priests
d) Artisans
Answer: b) Merchants’ guilds
10. Which town became famous for horse trade?
a) Delhi
b) Hampi
c) Kannauj
d) Pataliputra
Answer: b) Hampi
11. Which group of people played a major role in temple economy?
a) Soldiers
b) Priests and artisans
c) Farmers
d) Teachers
Answer: b) Priests and artisans
12. What was the main reason rulers built towns?
a) To display power and wealth
b) For farming
c) To escape enemies
d) For trade only
Answer: a) To display power and wealth
13. Which foreign traders were first to arrive at Indian ports?
a) Dutch
b) Portuguese
c) English
d) French
Answer: b) Portuguese
14. Which of these was NOT a major export from India?
a) Spices
b) Cotton textiles
c) Horses
d) Precious stones
Answer: c) Horses
15. Which city was destroyed by repeated invasions?
a) Thanjavur
b) Kannauj
c) Madurai
d) Calicut
Answer: b) Kannauj
16. Surat was important because:
a) It was a religious centre
b) It was an international trading port
c) It was a Mughal capital
d) It was a horse market
Answer: b) It was an international trading port
17. Why were horses imported into India?
a) For farming
b) For army cavalry
c) For trade only
d) For temple rituals
Answer: b) For army cavalry
18. What made Indian textiles popular worldwide?
a) Heavy fabric
b) Simple patterns
c) Fine quality and bright dyes
d) Government orders
Answer: c) Fine quality and bright dyes
19. The famous muslin cloth was produced in:
a) Bengal
b) Gujarat
c) Rajasthan
d) Tamil Nadu
Answer: a) Bengal
20. Which of the following was a pilgrimage centre?
a) Thanjavur
b) Madurai
c) Both a and b
d) Surat
Answer: c) Both a and b
21. Which was the capital of Vijayanagar Empire?
a) Madurai
b) Hampi
c) Delhi
d) Thanjavur
Answer: b) Hampi
22. What attracted foreigners to Indian ports?
a) Horses
b) Spices and textiles
c) Temples
d) Palaces
Answer: b) Spices and textiles
23. Which of these was a cosmopolitan town?
a) Surat
b) Hampi
c) Delhi
d) All of these
Answer: d) All of these
24. Which religion’s traders were very active in medieval ports?
a) Buddhists
b) Muslims
c) Christians
d) Parsis
Answer: b) Muslims
25. Which town was famous for its bronze sculptures?
a) Hampi
b) Thanjavur
c) Delhi
d) Surat
Answer: b) Thanjavur
26. Who financed temple construction and festivals?
a) Farmers
b) Guilds and merchants
c) Soldiers
d) Foreigners
Answer: b) Guilds and merchants
27. Which Indian port was called “Gate of Mecca”?
a) Calicut
b) Surat
c) Masulipatnam
d) Thanjavur
Answer: b) Surat
28. What did Calicut export in large quantities?
a) Horses
b) Silk
c) Spices
d) Silver
Answer: c) Spices
29. Which was an important administrative town?
a) Kannauj
b) Surat
c) Calicut
d) Masulipatnam
Answer: a) Kannauj
30. Who were weavers in medieval India?
a) Merchants
b) Farmers
c) Artisans
d) Soldiers
Answer: c) Artisans
31. Which town was connected with Chola dynasty?
a) Thanjavur
b) Delhi
c) Hampi
d) Surat
Answer: a) Thanjavur
32. Which European power set up their base in Masulipatnam?
a) Dutch
b) Portuguese
c) French
d) British
Answer: a) Dutch
33. Why did towns decline sometimes?
a) Famines
b) Wars and invasions
c) Change in trade routes
d) All of these
Answer: d) All of these
34. Which town was known for diamond trade?
a) Surat
b) Masulipatnam
c) Hampi
d) Calicut
Answer: c) Hampi
35. What was the role of bazaars?
a) Political activity
b) Selling goods and crafts
c) Religious functions
d) Army camps
Answer: b) Selling goods and crafts
36. Which of these was NOT a port town?
a) Calicut
b) Surat
c) Hampi
d) Masulipatnam
Answer: c) Hampi
37. Which community dominated overseas trade from India?
a) Arabs
b) Portuguese
c) Chinese
d) Dutch
Answer: a) Arabs
38. Which town had separate bazaars for different communities?
a) Thanjavur
b) Hampi
c) Surat
d) Delhi
Answer: b) Hampi
39. What does the word “guild” mean?
a) Group of farmers
b) Group of priests
c) Group of traders or artisans
d) Group of soldiers
Answer: c) Group of traders or artisans
40. What does the growth of medieval towns tell us?
a) India was poor and backward
b) India was isolated
c) India was prosperous and connected to the world
d) India was only rural
Answer: c) India was prosperous and connected to the world
