Traders Kings and Pilgrims - Solutions

 CBSE Class –VI Social Science

NCERT Solutions
History Chapter 10
Traders Kings and Pilgrims

Question 1. Match the following:

(1) MuvendarMahayana Buddhism
(2) Lords of the dakshinpathaBuddhacharita
(3) AshvaghoshaSatvahana rulers
(4) BodhisattvasChinese pilgrim
(5) Xuan ZangCholas, Cheras and Pandyas

Answer.

(1) MuvendarCholas, Cheras and Pandyas
(2) Lords of the dakshinapathaSatavahana rulers
(3) AshvaghoshaBuddhacharita
(4) BoddhisattvasMahayana Buddhism.
(5) Xuan ZangChinese pilgrim

Question 2. Why did the kings want to control the silk route?
Answer. Traders used the land route to carry Chinese products especially silk to Western Asia. That land route was known as the silk route. Some Indian kings who had their kingdoms adjacent to the silk route wanted to control the silk route because they could reap benefits from the traders travelling along that route in form of taxes, tributes and gifts.

Question 3. What kind of evidence do historians use to find out about trade and trade routes?
Answer. Trade links were established by India with distant lands -West, Roman empire, Central Asia, China etc. The remains of non-Indian origin merchandise like pottery, gold and silver coins, bowls and plates have been found by archaeologists at various places. They were taken by the traders to one place to another place. South India was famous for gold, spices, especially pepper, and precious stones. Many of these goods were carried by traders to Rome in ships across the sea and by land in caravans. A number of Roman gold coins have been found in south India.

Question 4. What were the main features of Bhakti?
Answer. Bhakti was generally understood as a person's devotion to his or her chosen deity. It was regarded as a two-way relationship between the deity and the devotee. The main features of Bhakti were:

  1. Devotion and individual worship of a god or goddess were emphasised by Bhakti rather than the performance of elaborate sacrifices.
  2. According to this system of belief, if a devotee worships the chosen deity with a pure heart, the deity will appear in the form in which he or she may desire.
  3. Everyone, whether rich or poor, man or woman could follow the path of Bhakti.

Question 5. Discuss the reasons why the Chinese pilgrims came to India?
Answer.Pilgrims are men and women who undertake journeys to holy places in order to offer worship. The best known of these pilgrims are the Chinese Buddhist pilgrims like Fa Xian, Xuan Zang and I-Qing. They came to visit places associated with the life of Buddha as well as famous monasteries. They also spent time studying in the monasteries. Xuan Zang and other pilgrims spent time studying in Nalanda (Bihar).

Question 6. Why do you think ordinary people were attracted to Bhakti?
Answer. Ordinary people were attracted to Bhakti because it was a devotion to a particular deity, e.g. Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Durga etc. The people did not need to perform elaborate temple or religious ceremonies.

Question 7. List five things that you buy from the market. Which of these are made in the city/village in which you live, and which are brought by traders from other areas?
Answer. I buy the following things from the market:

  1. Food grains are grown in the villages.
  2. Vegetables are also grown in nearby areas and also brought from villages by traders.
  3. Readymade garments are made in the cities and brought by traders to other cities also.
  4. Exercise notebooks and stationery goods are made in the cities.
  5. Electronic toys and mobile phones are also made in the cities.

Question 8. There are several major pilgrimages performed by people in India today. Find out about any one of them, and write a short description. (Hint: Who can go on the pilgrimage- men, women or children? How long does it take? How do people travel? What do they take with them? What do they do when they reach the holy place? Do they bring anything back with them?)
Answer. Amarnath ki Yatra is one of the most arduous journey undertaken by the pilgrims. It is a sacred place for the Hindus. Amarnath in Himalaya has natural Shiva Linga made of ice. The journey is undertaken by people of all ages. It takes about 15 days from Delhi. The journey starts in the month of August. A part of the journey is covered by train, another part on foot and riding on animals. The security forces have to protect the pilgrims from terrorist attacks. The pilgrims carry offerings and after bathing they offer their prayers, they start on the return journey. Very often pilgrims bring 'prasad' which is distributed among the people back home.