1. Fill in the blanks:
(a) ___________ was a word used for large landowners in Tamil.
► Vellalar
(b) The gramabhojaka often got his land cultivated by the _____________
► slaves and hired workers
(c) Ploughmen were known as ____________ in Tamil.
► uzhavar
(d) Most grihapatis were _______________ landowners
► smaller
2. Describe the functions of the gramabhojaka. Why do you think he was
powerful?
Answer
The functions of gramabhojaka are collection of taxes, functioned as a judge,
and sometimes as a policeman.
He was largest landowner also he had slaves and hired workers to cultivate the
land therefore, he was powerful.
3. List the crafts persons who would have been present in both villages and
cities.
Answer
The crafts persons who would be present in both villages and cities were
goldsmiths, blacksmiths, weavers, basket makers, garland makers, perfumers.
4. Choose the correct answer:
(a) Ring wells were used for:
1. bathing
2. washing clothes
3. irrigation
4. drainage
► 4. drainage
(b) Punch marked coins were made of:
1. silver
2. gold
3. tin
4. ivory
► 1. silver
(c) Mathura was an important:
1. village
2. port
3. religious centre
4. forested area
► 3. religious centre
(d) Shrenis were associations of:
1. rulers
2. crafts persons
3. farmers
4. herders
► 2. crafts persons
1. Which of the iron tools shown on page 87 would have been important for
agriculture? What would the other tools have been used for?
Answer
The sickle would have been important for agriculture. The axe would have been
used to chop wood and clear forests. The tongs would have been used to hold
objects by the ironsmiths.
2. Compare the drainage system in your locality with that of the cities
mentioned in the lesson. What similarities and differences do you notice?
Answer
Today's drainage system is underground with covered drains. The kitchen,
bathrooms and toilets are connected with main drain present outside through the
help of pipelines. In ancient cities, they had ring well system. The rows of
pots, or ceramic rings arranged one on top of the other which had been used as
toilets in some cases, and as drains and garbage dumps.
Similarities:
• Drainage system were and are found in individual houses.
• Drainage system is tube-like structure.
Differences:
• Use of rings and pots.