Who lived in the 'Black Towns' in cities such as Madras?

3

(a)

How important were craftspersons for the building and maintenance of temples?

3

(a)

Why did people from distant lands visit Surat?

3

(a)

What were the problems encountered by merchants? Do you think some of these problems persist today?

3

(a)

Find out about any present-day pilgrimage center. Why do you think people go there? What do they do there? Are there any shops in the area? If so, what is about and sold there?

3

(a)

How was Hampi during the 15th to 16th centuries? What led to its destruction?

3

(a)

Why do you think people regarded Thanjavur as a great town?

3

(a)

As you can see, during this period there was a great circulation of people and goods. What impact do you think this would have had on the lives of people in towns and villages?

3

(a)

Read the given information and answer the question that follows.
Taxes on markets
The following is a summary from a 10th century inscription from Rajasthan, which lists the dues that were to be collected by temple authorities:
There were taxes in kind on: Sugar and jaggery, dyes, thread and cotton, On coconuts, salt, areca nuts, butter, sesame oil, On cloth. Besides, there were taxes on traders, on those who sold metal goods, on distillers, on oil, on cattle fodder and on loads of grain. Some of these taxes were collected in kind, while others were collected in cash.
Find out more about present-day taxes on markets: who collects these, how are they collected and what are they used for.

3

(a)

Find out more about the architecture of either Thanjavur or Hampi and prepare a scrap book illustrating temples and other buildings from these cities.

3

(a)

What is 'Lost Wax' technique?

3

(a)

Describe the architecture of Hampi.

3

(a)

What brought European traders to India?

3

(a)

Describe big and small traders of the medieval period.

3

(a)

Describe the temple towns in the form of commercial centres.

3

(a)