Class 6 Social Studies Notes Chapter 9 (Vital Villages; Thriving Towns) – History - Our Past Book

Detailed Notes with MCQs of Chapter 9, 'Vital Villages, Thriving Towns'. This chapter is crucial as it explains the significant changes in agriculture, the rise of new crafts, trade, and the emergence of towns around 2500 years ago, forming the base for later developments. Pay close attention, as these details often appear in government exams.

Chapter 9: Vital Villages, Thriving Towns - Detailed Notes

1. The Importance of Iron Tools and Agriculture:

• Timeline: Use of iron began in the subcontinent around 3000 years ago. Widespread use of iron tools increased around 2500 years ago.
• Key Iron Tools:
  • Axes: Used for clearing forests, bringing more land under cultivation.
  • Iron Ploughshare: Heavier and more effective than wooden ploughshares. Could turn heavy, clayey soil better, leading to increased grain production.
• Impact: Increased agricultural production was fundamental. It created a surplus, which supported non-agricultural populations like craftspersons, rulers, and armies, and spurred trade.

2. Steps to Increase Production: Irrigation:

• Increased production wasn't just due to new tools but also required better irrigation.
• Irrigation Methods: Kings and communities invested in irrigation works. These included:
  • Canals
  • Wells
  • Tanks
  • Artificial lakes
• Significance: Irrigation ensured water supply for crops, especially paddy (rice), which requires standing water, further boosting agricultural output.

3. Village Life: Social Structure

• Southern India (Tamil Region):
  • Large landowners were known as Vellalar.
  • Ordinary ploughmen were known as Uzhavar.
  • Landless labourers, including slaves, were known as Kadaisiyar and Adimai.
  • Source: This information largely comes from Sangam literature, early Tamil compositions compiled around 2300 years ago.
• Northern India:
  • Grama bhojaka: Usually the largest landowner in the village, acting as the village headman.
    • Often hereditary position.
    • Powerful figure: collected taxes for the king, functioned as a judge, and sometimes as a policeman.
  • Grihapatis: Smaller landowners, generally independent farmers. (The term is also used more broadly for heads of households owning land/cattle).
  • Dasa Karmakara: Landless men and women who had to earn a living working on the fields owned by others. Included both dasas (slaves) and karmakaras (hired labourers).

4. The Rise of Towns and Cities (Second Urbanisation):

• Around 2500 years ago (coinciding with Mahajanapadas), cities developed for various reasons:
  • Increased Agricultural Surplus: Supported larger, non-farming populations.
  • Growth of Crafts: Villages specialized in crafts, leading to craft centers.
  • Trade Routes: Some towns developed as hubs on important land and sea trade routes.
  • Administrative Centres: Many cities were capitals of Mahajanapadas.
  • Religious Centres: Places of worship attracted people and grew into towns.

5. Features of Early Cities:

• Fortification: Many cities were protected by massive fortification walls (wood, brick, or stone).
• Ring Wells: Rows of pots or ceramic rings arranged one on top of the other. Seem to have been used as toilets in some cases, and as drains and garbage dumps. Found in individual houses.
• Limited Archaeological Evidence: Remains of palaces, markets, or ordinary homes are scarce, possibly because many structures were made of wood, mud brick, and thatch, which haven't survived well.

6. Case Study: Mathura (An Important Settlement)

• Location: Strategically located at the crossroads of two major trade and travel routes (North-West to East, and North to South).
• Multiple Roles:
  • Fortified City: Had fortifications.
  • Agricultural Centre: Farmers and herders from adjoining areas provided food.
  • Craft Centre: Known for fine sculpture.
  • Religious Centre: Centre for Buddhists, Jainas, and prominent centre for the worship of Krishna. Several shrines and monasteries found.
  • Administrative Centre: Became the second capital of the Kushanas (around 2000 years ago).
• Inscriptions: Stone slabs and statues found in Mathura bear short inscriptions recording gifts made by people (including kings, queens, officers, merchants, craftspersons) to monasteries and shrines.

7. Crafts and Craftspersons:

• Archaeological Evidence: Extremely fine pottery known as Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) found, mostly in the northern part of the subcontinent. Known for its glossy black surface.
• Textile Production: Famous centres included Varanasi (North) and Madurai (South). Both men and women worked in these centres.
• Guilds (Shrenis): Craftspersons and merchants formed associations known as shrenis.
  • Functions of Shrenis:
    • Procured raw materials.
    • Organized training for craftspersons.
    • Regulated production.
    • Distributed the finished product.
    • Served as banks: Received wealth from rich men and women, invested it, and returned part of the interest to support religious institutions like monasteries.

8. Trade and Coins:

• Trade Routes: Extensive trade networks existed both within the subcontinent and with other parts of the world (like the Roman Empire). Goods were carried via land routes (caravans) and sea routes.
• Punch-marked Coins: Earliest coins in use for several centuries (around 500 BCE onwards).
  • Generally rectangular or sometimes square/round.
  • Made of silver or copper.
  • Not inscribed, but stamped with symbols (punches), hence the name.
• Significance of Coins: Made exchange of goods easier compared to the barter system.

9. Case Study: Arikamedu (Puducherry)

• Timeline: A coastal settlement between 2200 and 1900 years ago.
• Function: A warehouse and major trade centre, particularly known for trade with the Roman Empire.
• Evidence of Roman Trade:
  • Amphorae: Tall double-handled jars (Roman origin) that contained liquids like wine or oil.
  • Arretine Ware: Stamped red-glazed pottery, named after a city in Italy (Arretium). Made by pressing wet clay into a stamped mould.
  • Roman lamps, glassware, and gems also found.
• Local Production: Evidence of local pottery (though Roman designs were copied) and bead-making (from semi-precious stones and glass).
• Small tanks: Found at the site, likely used as dyeing vats for cloth.

Key Takeaways for Exams:

• Know the key iron tools and their impact.
• Understand the different irrigation techniques.
• Memorize the social categories in North and South Indian villages (Vellalar, Uzhavar, Grama bhojaka, Grihapati etc.) and the significance of Sangam literature.
• Reasons for the rise of towns (Second Urbanisation).
• Features of early cities (fortification, ring wells).
• Specifics about Mathura (location, multiple roles).
• NBPW pottery characteristics.
• Role and functions of Shrenis (guilds).
• Characteristics of Punch-marked coins.
• Significance of Arikamedu and evidence of Roman trade (Amphorae, Arretine ware).

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. Around 2500 years ago, the use of which tool significantly increased agricultural production by allowing cultivation of heavy, clayey soil?
   a) Wooden ploughshare
   b) Iron axe
   c) Iron ploughshare
   d) Bronze sickle

2. In the Tamil region, what were the ordinary ploughmen known as according to Sangam literature?
   a) Vellalar
   b) Adimai
   c) Kadaisiyar
   d) Uzhavar

3. Who was the 'Grama bhojaka' in the villages of Northern India?
   a) An ordinary farmer
   b) A landless labourer
   c) The village headman, often the largest landowner
   d) A craftsperson

4. Which of the following is an extremely fine type of pottery, known for its glossy black surface, found mainly in the northern part of the subcontinent around 2500 years ago?
   a) Arretine Ware
   b) Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW)
   c) Ochre Coloured Pottery (OCP)
   d) Black and Red Ware (BRW)

5. Associations formed by craftspersons and merchants during this period were known as:
   a) Sabhas
   b) Samitis
   c) Shrenis
   d) Parishads

6. Mathura was an important city because it was:
   a) Located at the crossroads of important trade routes
   b) A major centre for sculpture and crafts
   c) An important religious centre (Buddhist, Jaina, Krishna worship)
   d) All of the above

7. What were the earliest coins used in the Indian subcontinent, typically made of silver or copper and stamped with symbols?
   a) Kushana gold coins
   b) Gupta inscribed coins
   c) Punch-marked coins
   d) Roman denarii

8. Ring wells, found in early cities, are believed to have been used primarily as:
   a) Storage pits for grain
   b) Religious offering pits
   c) Toilets, drains, or garbage dumps
   d) Water reservoirs for irrigation

9. The archaeological site of Arikamedu, near Puducherry, provides significant evidence of trade with:
   a) The Greek Empire
   b) The Roman Empire
   c) The Persian Empire
   d) Ancient China

10. What type of Roman pottery, specifically tall double-handled jars used for liquids like wine or oil, was found at Arikamedu?
    a) Arretine Ware
    b) Amphorae
    c) NBPW
    d) Terracotta figurines

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. c) Iron ploughshare
2. d) Uzhavar
3. c) The village headman, often the largest landowner
4. b) Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW)
5. c) Shrenis
6. d) All of the above
7. c) Punch-marked coins
8. c) Toilets, drains, or garbage dumps
9. b) The Roman Empire
10. b) Amphorae

Make sure you revise these notes thoroughly. Understanding the transition from villages to towns and the factors driving it is key. Good luck with your preparation!