Class 6 Social Studies Notes Chapter 10 (Traders; Kings And Pilgrims) – History - Our Past Book

Alright class, let's delve into Chapter 10: 'Traders, Kings and Pilgrims'. This chapter explores a fascinating period in Indian history, roughly between 2000 and 1700 years ago, focusing on how trade flourished, new kingdoms emerged, and religious ideas spread through the journeys of pilgrims. Pay close attention, as these topics are frequently tested in government exams.

Chapter 10: Traders, Kings and Pilgrims - Detailed Notes

1. How to Find Out About Trade and Traders:

• Archaeological Evidence:
  • Pottery: Finds like Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) indicate trade networks. Fine pottery, bowls, and plates found across the subcontinent suggest movement of goods.
  • South India's Fame: Known for gold, spices (especially pepper), and precious stones. Pepper was highly valued in the Roman Empire, often called 'black gold'.
  • Roman Connection: Numerous Roman gold coins have been discovered in South India, confirming robust trade links. Roman goods like pottery (e.g., Arretine ware), lamps, and glassware also found.
• Trade Routes:
  • Sea Routes: Traders explored sea routes, utilizing monsoon winds for faster travel across the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. They sailed from the east coast of Africa or Arabia to the west coast of India during the southwest monsoon and returned with the northeast monsoon.
  • Land Routes: Extensive caravan routes existed as well.
• Traders: Included merchants travelling in caravans (led by a sathavaha) and sea-farers undertaking risky voyages.

2. New Kingdoms Along the Coasts:

• Strategic Location: The long coastline, river valleys (like Kaveri), and harbours facilitated trade, leading to the rise of powerful kingdoms in the south and west.
• Sangam Poems: Earliest Tamil literature, composed around 2300 years ago, provides valuable insights into life in South India during this period. They mention the Muvendar.
• Muvendar: A Tamil word meaning 'three chiefs', referring to the heads of three ruling families:
  • Cholas: Centre of power - Puhar or Kaveripattinam (port).
  • Cheras: Controlled areas in present-day Kerala.
  • Pandyas: Centre of power - Madurai.
• Sources of Revenue: These chiefs did not collect regular taxes. Instead, they demanded and received gifts (tribute) from the people. They also went on military expeditions and collected tribute from neighbouring areas. They kept some wealth and distributed the rest amongst their supporters (family, soldiers, poets). Poets often composed poems praising the chiefs, receiving rewards like precious stones, gold, horses, elephants, etc.
• Satavahanas:
  • Became powerful in western India around 2100 years ago.
  • Most important ruler: Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni. Known from an inscription composed by his mother, Gautami Balashri.
  • He and other Satavahana rulers were known as lords of the Dakshinapatha (literally, 'route leading to the south'), which was also used as a name for the entire southern region. They sent armies to the eastern, western, and southern coasts, likely to control trade routes.

3. The Story of the Silk Route:

• Silk Making: The technique originated in China around 7000 years ago. It involved rearing silkworms (sericulture) to produce raw silk, which was then processed into fabric. The methods were kept a closely guarded secret for centuries.
• Spread of Silk: Some people from China who travelled to distant lands carried silk with them. Rulers in places like Iran and West Asia learned about it. Wearing silk became fashionable amongst rulers and the rich in Rome around 2000 years ago. It was very expensive as it had to be brought all the way from China via dangerous routes.
• The Silk Route(s): The paths traders used to carry silk are known as the Silk Route. It wasn't a single road but a vast network of routes over land and sea, connecting China to the Mediterranean, passing through Central Asia, West Asia, and parts of the Indian subcontinent.
• Controlling the Route: Kings often tried to control stretches of the Silk Route because they could benefit from:
  • Taxes: Levied on traders passing through.
  • Tributes & Gifts: Received from traders.
• The Kushanas:
  • Ruled over Central Asia and north-west India around 2000 years ago. They were among the best-known rulers who controlled the Silk Route.
  • Their two major centres of power were Peshawar and Mathura. Taxila was also within their kingdom.
  • Their control over a vast part of the route facilitated trade.
  • They were amongst the earliest rulers to issue gold coins, which were used by traders along the Silk Route.
  • Kanishka: The most famous Kushana ruler (ruled around 1900 years ago).
    • Organized a Buddhist council, where scholars met and discussed important matters.
    • Ashvaghosha, a poet who composed the biography of the Buddha (the Buddhacharita), lived in his court.

4. The Spread of Buddhism:

• Mahayana Buddhism: A new form emerged during this period with distinct features:
  • Earlier, Buddha's presence was shown by signs (e.g., peepal tree for enlightenment). Now, statues of the Buddha were made (often in Mathura and Taxila/Gandhara).
  • Belief in Bodhisattvas: These were perceived as persons who had attained enlightenment but remained in the world to help others, delaying their own final nirvana. Worship of Bodhisattvas became very popular.
  • Spread: Mahayana Buddhism spread throughout Central Asia, China, and later to Korea and Japan.
• Theravada Buddhism: The older form ("Way of the Elders") continued and was more popular in areas like Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and other parts of Southeast Asia (including Indonesia).
• Buddhist Pilgrims: As Buddhism spread, travellers came to India from distant lands like China.
  • Pilgrims: Men and women who undertake journeys to holy places to offer worship.
  • Famous Chinese Buddhist Pilgrims:
    • Fa Xian (Faxian): Came around 1600 years ago.
    • Xuan Zang (Hiuen Tsang): Came around 1400 years ago, spent much time travelling and studying at Nalanda.
    • I-Qing: Came about 50 years after Xuan Zang.
  • Purpose: Visited places associated with the life of the Buddha and famous monasteries, collected Buddhist scriptures to take back home.
  • Xuan Zang's Account: Left a detailed account of his travels, dangers faced, the countries he visited, and his time at Nalanda (Bihar) - a famous Buddhist monastery and centre of learning. He described the strict entrance exam, the learned teachers, and the rigorous discussions.

5. The Beginning of Bhakti:

• Meaning: Derived from the Sanskrit term bhaj meaning 'to divide or share'. It suggests an intimate, two-way relationship between the deity and the devotee. Bhakti is directed towards a chosen deity.
• Core Idea: Worship of certain deities became central. Through pure devotion (Bhakti), devotees could attain the deity's grace and potentially salvation, regardless of caste or whether they were rich or poor. Elaborate sacrifices were less important than personal devotion.
• Deities: Shiva, Vishnu, and goddesses like Durga gained prominence.
• Worship: Idols or images of these deities became important features of worship in temples.
• Spread: Bhakti inspired art, architecture, and literature. The idea was accessible to all and often expressed through local languages, poems, and songs.
• Bhagavat & Bhakta: Bhagavat often means one who possesses and shares bhaga (good fortune or bliss). The devotee is known as the bhakta or bhagavata, who shares in the deity's bhaga.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Pepper was highly valued in the Roman Empire and known as:
   a) Black Diamond
   b) Black Gold
   c) Indian Spice
   d) Roman Delight

2. The Tamil term 'Muvendar' used in Sangam poems refers to the chiefs of which three ruling families?
   a) Satavahanas, Kushanas, Guptas
   b) Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas
   c) Mauryas, Shungas, Kanvas
   d) Pallavas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas

3. Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni was the most famous ruler of which dynasty?
   a) Cholas
   b) Kushanas
   c) Pandyas
   d) Satavahanas

4. The technique of making silk was first invented in:
   a) India
   b) Rome
   c) China
   d) Persia

5. Which rulers were best known for controlling the Silk Route around 2000 years ago, with Peshawar and Mathura as major centres?
   a) Mauryas
   b) Guptas
   c) Kushanas
   d) Satavahanas

6. Who was the most famous Kushana ruler who organized a Buddhist council?
   a) Ashoka
   b) Kanishka
   c) Chandragupta Maurya
   d) Samudragupta

7. The new form of Buddhism that developed during this period, involving the worship of Bodhisattvas and statues of the Buddha, is known as:
   a) Theravada Buddhism
   b) Hinayana Buddhism
   c) Mahayana Buddhism
   d) Vajrayana Buddhism

8. Fa Xian and Xuan Zang, who travelled to India between 1600 and 1400 years ago, were famous:
   a) Roman traders
   b) Greek ambassadors
   c) Chinese Buddhist pilgrims
   d) Arab merchants

9. Xuan Zang spent considerable time studying at which famous Buddhist monastery in Bihar?
   a) Taxila
   b) Sanchi
   c) Nalanda
   d) Amaravati

10. The Bhakti movement emphasized:
    a) Complex Vedic rituals and sacrifices
    b) Attaining enlightenment through meditation only
    c) Devotion to a chosen deity, accessible to all castes
    d) Strict adherence to the caste system for salvation

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. b) Black Gold
2. b) Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas
3. d) Satavahanas
4. c) China
5. c) Kushanas
6. b) Kanishka
7. c) Mahayana Buddhism
8. c) Chinese Buddhist pilgrims
9. c) Nalanda
10. c) Devotion to a chosen deity, accessible to all castes

Make sure you revise these notes thoroughly. Understanding the connections between trade, political power, and the spread of religious ideas is crucial for this period. Good luck with your preparation!