WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 6 Town Traders And Trade Topic C Miscellaneous

WBBSE Chapter 6 Town Traders And Trade Topic C Miscellaneous Long Question And Answers

Question 1. Why did Delhi develop into an important city in the 13th century?
Answer:

Delhi develop into an important city in the 13th century:

Ever since the medieval times, Delhi from the geographical point of view, is an important city. Several other factors were also responsible for its great value.

1. Geographical Location:

• Delhi is located at the juncture of Aravalli hills and the riverbank of Yamuna.
• Moreover, the stones of the Aravalli range suited well for the construction of well-protected forts and the natural slope of the land was also helpful for the purpose.
• And the building material was also available there very easily.

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Conceptual Questions on the Impact of Trade on Society

2. Waterways:

• Waterways also was another important means of communication
• . Besides, the river Yamuna worked as a natural frontier to the east.

3. Trade and commerce:

• The city of Delhi was effectively a center of financial activities.
• Several markets were also there where the traders came with their commercial commodities.
• Native and foreign traders too attended the market.

4. Centre of politics:

• Delhi was the center of all-India politics.
• So occupancy of Delhi meant occupancy of India which led to the establishment of separate royal dynasties.

Conclusion:

It was significant that Delhi because of its important location served as a link of integrity between the countries.

Question 2. Describe the urban life of Shahjahanabad.
Answer:

The urban life of Shahjahanabad:

• Shah Jahan did not like to build his new capital on the ruins of the old capital of the Delhi Sultanate. So he decided to set up his new capital in conformity with the Hindu and Muslim scriptural rules.
• Shahjahanabad was located on the western bank of the river Yamuna.

Character of the civilian population of Shahjahanabad

• Mixed nature: The populace of Shahjahanabad was of mixed character. Different classes of people lived here.
• Accommodation:
  • The rich people lived here in the houses decorated with tiles and stones, common merchants lived in the upper floor of their shops or in any inner apartment of their outlets.
  • Again, commoners like ordinary soldiers, attendants, and workers used to live in thatched huts covered with mud.
•  Social equality:
  • There was no division in the residential arrangement of Shahjahanabad.
  • Poor workers lived alongside with the high-ranking ‘amirs’.
  • Therefore, no social inequality was there in society.
• Local culture:
  • Religious festivals were observed by Hindus and Muslims alike.
  • For example, Diwali (the festival of lights) was observed by the Hindus and Muslims together by illuminating the ‘Darga’ of the Sufi saint, Nasiruddin.

Conclusion:

Overall the people of Shahjahanabad was purely commoners and they were the backbone of the society.

WBBSE Class 7 Geography Notes	WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History
WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Geography	WBBSE Class 7 History Multiple Choice Questions
WBBSE Class 7 Geography Multiple Choice Questions	WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Maths

 

Question 3. Why did trade flourish during the Delhi Sultanate?
Answer:

During the Sultanate era trade and commerce expanded.

Factors responsible for the spread of trade in the Sultanate period

• State security: The Sultans of Delhi did not interfere with the trading activities of the traders. The Sultans provided their subjects with security in exchange of revenues they collected.
• Improved communication: Delhi Sultans constructed many new roads. Alongside, old roads were repaired. Consequently, the communication system got improved and business expanded.
• Hundi system:
  • During the Turkish rule, Hundi system was introduced. ‘Hundi’, an innovation of the ‘Sarafs’ was a piece of paper which could be bought from them.
  • This enabled the merchants to carry money from one place to another. ‘Hundi’ was a medium of exchange of money. Merchants exchange it for money.
• Introduction of currency: Delhi Sultans introduced two types of coins; one is ‘tanka’ (silver coins) and the other is ‘jital’ (copper coins). They introduced these coins for the convenience of tax collection and trade.
• 5. Enterprising traders: ‘Baniya’ of Gujarat, ‘Marwari’ of Rajashthan, and the ‘Bohras’ of the Muslim community took vital part in the expansion of trade.

Question 4. What was the nature of inland trade in medieval India?
Answer:

In the medieval ages in India, inland trade was carried on in agricultural items, textiles, and several other items both by land and sea.

Examples of Real-Life Applications of Trade Knowledge

Inland Trade in Medieval India

1. Trade:

• Local market: Village markets and fairs were the centers of local commercial activities. Raw materials and food grains were sent to cities from villages. The villages received various consumer items and industrial goods.
• Provincial trade: It was carried on in commodities of foodgrains, textiles, and luxury articles.

2. Trading routes:

• Roadways: There were two main highways.
  1. East Bengal to Lahore,
  2. Agra to Burhanpur.
• Waterways:
• Trade was carried on in North India through Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra and their tributaries and Krishna, Kaveri, Godavari and their tributaries in South India.

3. Notable traders:

• The notable traders were Baharji Bohra of Surat, Mir Jumla of Golconda, Moloy Chetty of South Coromondal, and Jagat Seth of Bengal.
• Armenians in eastern India and Persians in western India carried on trade too.

Question 5. What idea do you gain about foreign trade from the import-export chart given?
Answer:

Imported commodities:

India imported gold and silver from European countries; spices, tin and copper from East and South-East Asian countries.

Exported commodities:

• India exported pepper, indigo, saltpeter, cotton textiles, raw silk, and silk textiles to the European countries.
• India exported cotton textiles and opium to East and South-East Asian countries.

Question 6. Imagine you are a resident of India in the times of the Sultanate. How would you procure water for daily use?
Answer:

I am a resident of Delhi of the Sultanate period. I would procure water for daily use from different sources.

Sources of water for daily use during the Sultanate period

• From the Hauz or tanks:
  • Sultan Iltutmish dug a few ‘Hauz’ or tanks. They were named Hauz-i-Shamsi or Hauz-i-Sultani. Alauddin is credited with constructing the Hauz-i-Alai (later known as Hauz-i-Khas).
  • During the Tughlaq rule, Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq built a reservoir in Tughlaqabad. Feroz Tughlaq also dug a number of canals. From these tanks I can procure water for my daily use.
• Yamuna river:
  • I can also procure water from the river Yamuna.
• Nehr-i-Behest:
  • Sultans built a number of canals from the rivers to the city or forts. They were called Nehr-i-Behest or the ‘divine canals’. I may also procure water from these canals.
• Water-carriers:
  • I may contact the water carriers (bhistiwalahs) for a regularised water supply to each house, of course, in exchange of money.
•  Wells:
  • I may dig wells in my house or locality to procure water for daily use.

Question 7. Imagine you are a merchant of a European company. You will have to go to the Mughal Durbar at Agra from Bombay via Surat. Which is the route you will follow? Sketch the route.
Answer:

• If I would be a merchant of a European company, I would have come to Surat at first from Bombay.
• Then I would have followed the route from Surat via Cambay, Ahmedabad, Jalore, Jodhpur, Merta, and Ajmer.
• After that, I would have reached the Mughal court at Agra.

 

 

Question 8. Imagine you are moving from the mouth of the river Bhagirathi towards the North. Draw a map to show where you may find European Kuthis?
Answer:

If I would have moved towards the North from the mouth of the river Bhagirathi, in the beginning of the 18th century, I would have found several trade centers of the Portuguese, Dutch, French, Danes, and the British merchants. They are

• Calcutta: If I would have moved by boat towards the North from the mouth of the river Bhagirathi, I would have found the British trade center at Calcutta.
• Sreerampore: If I would have moved forward towards the North via river Bhagirathi I would have noticed the Danish trade center at Sreerampore.
• Chandannagar: If I would have moved forward towards the North via river Bhagirathi I would have found the trade center of the French at Chandannagar.
• Chinsurah: If I would have moved further towards the North via river Bhagirathi the trade centers of the Dutch at Chinsurah would have come to my notice.
• Bandel: If I would have moved further towards the North via river Bhagirathi, I would have noticed the Portuguese trade center at Bandel of Hooghly. They traded in cloth. Even a church is found here.

 

Question 9. Why did the city of Delhi become so important?
Answer:

The city of Delhi became so important.

The reasons were

• Delhi is geographically located at the confluence of the Aravalli range and the riverine plains of the Yamuna. It was convenient to build well-protected forts here because of the slope of the land and the availability of building materials from the Aravallis.
• Again, the river Yamuna was the main waterway and the natural frontier to the East. Hence, rulers and merchants were attracted to this region.
• The Mongols had already destroyed the city of Baghdad, which was a big centre of the Muslim civilisation. This helped Delhi to develop. It also became the seat of the Sufi saints

Question 10. Give an account on internal trade of medieval India.
Answer:

Within the time span of 500 years (from the 13th to 18th century) internal trade spread well in medieval India.

Internal trade of medieval India

 Types:

In medieval India, there were two types of internal trade. Firstly, rural and urban types of trade, and secondly, trade between two cities.

• Commodities: Daily necessities generally came from the villages and they were cheap. They were always available in huge quantities. All the commodities, varieties of food grains, edible oil, ghee, vegetables, fruits, and salt were there.
• Second type of trade: Commodities which were exported from one city to another included expensive luxury goods. They were manufactured exclusively for the aristocratic people. Expensive wine and fine ‘muslins’ were imported to the capital city from the different parts of the empire.
• Handicrafts: During the Sultanate period, handicrafts were in high demand in the new city markets. Leather goods, wooden products, and carpets were some of the favorite items.
• Currency: Delhi Sultans introduced two types of coins: ‘Tanka’ (silver coins) and Jital’ (copper coins).

Conclusion:

Therefore, internal trade included not only luxury goods but also essential commodities.

Question 11. Make a list of trading outposts set by the different trading companies.
Answer:

List of trading outposts set by the different trading companies-

Question 12. Describe the extent of participation of the English in trade and commerce of the Mughal era.
Answer:

The extent of participation of the English in trade and commerce of the Mughal era:

In 1600 the British East India Company obtained a Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth I, by virtue of which it received the right to trade in the East for fifteen years.

British trade in Mughal India

1. Captain Hawkins:

In 1608, Captain Hawkins arrived at the court of the Mughal emperor Jahangir with a letter of recommendation from British King James I and obtained permission from him to allow British merchants to trade in Surat.

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2. Thomas Roe:

In 1615, Thomas Roe came to Jahangir’s court and obtained trading concessions. At Roe’s initiative, British kothis grew up at Agra, Ahmedabad, Broach, and Surat within the next four years.

3. Job Charnock:

The British merchant Job Charnock came to Bengal during the tenure of Shaista Khan. He then set up many factories for production, after buying two villages Sutanuti and Gobindapur.

Question 13. Write a note on Farrukhsiyar’s Farman.
Answer:

• In 1717, under John Surman’s leadership, the East India Company obtained a Farman or Declaration from the Mughal emperor Farrukh- siyar.
• This is known as Farrukhsiyar’s Farman. It contained the right to carry on duty-free trade in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.

Farrukhsiyar’s Farman

Terms and Conditions:

1. The Company, against the payment of three thousand rupees per annum, would carry on duty-free trade in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.
2. The Company could purchase thirty-eight additional villages around Calcutta, Sutanuti, and Gobindapur.
3. The Company could issue a duty-free trade permit or Dastak to its employees.
4. The Company could mint its own coins at Murshidabad.

Significance:

1. Commercial right: The Company got legal right to carry on trade in India.
2. Privilege: With respect to other European trading companies the British East India Company received more trade benefits.
3. Establishment of political rights: It paved the way for the Company to obtain political power. So, historian Orme refers to the Farman as the Magna Carta (Great Charter) of the British East India Company.

WBBSE Class 7 Miscellaneous MCQs on Town Traders

Question 14. How did geographical explorations become easier?
Answer:

In the 15th century, geographical explorations became much easier due to advancements in the spheres of science and technology.

Causes behind easier geographical exploration

Invention of new navigation instruments:

The first factor was the invention of new tools. In the age of the Renaissance, the invention of the mariner’s compass, the sextant and the astrolabe greatly facilitated geographical explorations.

 Discovery of new sea routes:

• In 1453, the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople and disrupted the connection between the countries of the East and Europe through the Mediterranean Sea.
• So European mariners now began searching for new trade routes on the Atlantic sea and the Indian ocean.

Geographical information:

• Europeans developed better ideas about the real shape of the world. After Magellan’s circumnavigation of the earth, the Europeans could easily reach the Orient.
• They developed better concepts about the direction, position, and distance between continents.

Understanding Medieval Indian Trade

Question 15. What were the causes behind geographical discoveries and expeditions?
Answer:

The 16th-century European Renaissance fired the intellectual minds of Europe with a burning curiosity to know the unknown and to see the unseen. To fulfill this desire man forgot his doubts and fears and ventured on daring sea voyages.

Causes behind geographical discoveries and expeditions

• Influence of Crusades:
  • Since the time of the Crusades, condiments, spices, pearls and precious stones, sandalwood, and silk textiles of the Oriental countries captured the European markets.
  • Their high demands motivated traders to trade in oriental articles and earn profits.
• Accounts of travellers:
  • Since the 13th century, countless European travelers journeyed to the East.
  • They spoke of the untold riches of the East. Particularly the descriptions given by Marco Polo made European people eager to travel to those lands for adventure and wealth.
• Influence of Renaissance:
  • The spirit of the Renaissance was also reflected in a thirst to seek and conquer new lands.
  • The quest for new knowledge and the desire to know the unknown also whetted the appetite of the people of West European countries to explore the hitherto unknown lands.
• Economic cause:
  • At the end of the middle ages, due to technological advancements agricultural and industrial output in Europe increased.
  • This created the need for markets to sell these items. So the search for new markets also fuelled the urge for sea voyages.
• Scientific discoveries and inventions:
  • Due to Renaissance, scientific discoveries and experiments increased and the compass, the sextant, astrolabe, and the telescope were invented.
  • Advanced maps and charts of sea routes also facilitated sea voyages.

WBBSE Chapter 6 Town Traders And Trade Topic C Miscellaneous Short Question And Answers

Question 1. How did cities develop in medieval India?
Answer: A large number of cities were developed in medieval India. Several factors were responsible for this.

1. Some of them emerged as centers of economic exchange.
2. Some of them were centers of trade and commerce.
3. Some of the towns developed as centers of political activities.
4. Again, some cities and towns were established entirely for religious purposes. They developed surrounding the temples, mosques, churches, and other religious sites.

Question 2. Why did old Delhi of the Sultanate gradually decline?
Answer:

• During the second half of the 14th century, the Tughlaq ruler Feroz Shah Tughlaq set up the city of Ferozabad. It developed around Feroz Shah Kotla along the bank of the Yamuna river and hence, plenty of water was available.
• Many articles were transported by boat at low costs to the city dwellers. So, the glory of Old Delhi or Qutb Delhi gradually declined.

Question 3. Describe the kothis of the European Companies.
Answer:

• Fortification: The kothis of the European companies were constructed like forts. The European trading companies kept their arsenal there.
• Residence-cum-godowns: European traders used to stay there. They even stored their commodities and used the Kothi as a godown. Officers’
• Quarters: The sentry, soldiers, and other trading officers also used the kothis as office quarters.

Question 4. How did the Mughal rulers encourage trade?
Answer:

Mughal rulers encouraged trade in many ways.

• Exemption of tax on commodities: The Mughal emperors reduced taxes on certain commodities like food grains to assist the traders.
• Permission to build Kothis (residential office): They also permitted European merchants to establish residential offices in the trade centres.
• Employment of craftsmen: The Mughal emperors, princes, and aristocrats built their private workshops, where they recruited expert craftsmen.
• Security: They ensured maintenance of law and order to promote movement of goods along the highways.

Question 5. The European companies built their respective ‘Kothis’. How were they?
Answer:

1. The Kothis were almost like forts. The Kothis were used as their residence and arms and ammunition were stored there.
2. The Kothis were also used as godowns.
3. The Kothis also accommodated the security staff, army, and other officials.

If the students are questioned in the above manner, they will try to answer the questions. As a result, they will be able to go deeper into the text.

Question 6. Give an account of ‘Nagar’ or City.
Answer:

1. Origin: The term ‘Nagar’, is of Sanskrit origin while ‘Shahar’ is a Persian term.
2. Development: They indicate urban centres during the Sultanate and Mughal eras which developed surrounding the temples, mosques, commercial centres, and manufacturing units.

Question 7. Go around the marketplace of your locality and try to figure out similarities and differences with those of the Sultanate and Mughal Delhi.
Answer:

• In the Sultanate and Mughal periods, the merchant guilds traded in different parts of the country. They controlled the local trade too. Many markets like mandis, hamlets, small ‘haat’s grew up on the banks of rivers.
• Marketing was mobile at that time. Bullock carts, beast of burdens, and boats carried the necessities of the consumers. The city dwellers collected goods from there.
• But now in each of our localities, there is a fixed market. There is no mobile marketing system now. A number of ‘hawkers’ is few. In a few places, ‘haat’s are conducted weekly or bi-weekly.
• Markets of different necessities have grown up in different areas unlike on the sea coasts or on the banks of rivers.

Question 8. Why were the tanks so important in medieval towns? Just think it over. How do you get water in your locality?
Answer:

1. The main problem of the medieval towns was a scarcity of water. It was not possible to provide adequete water for the entire population. The Sultan dug a few ‘hauz’ or tanks.
2. An important source of water was the ‘hauz’ or ‘talao’. So the tanks were so important in medieval towns.
3. Now I live in a municipal area. Through municipal water supply system, we get water throughout our area. The underground system of supplying water to every household is the main source of water connection.
4. Water is stored in huge tanks in every locality and for our convenience, we used taps of our own. Self-governing bodies look after the entire system.

Question 9. How were the settlements of Shahjahanabad like?
Answer:

The population of Shahjahanabad was mixed in nature. Various types and classes of people lived in different buildings of the city.

• Amirs and wealthy merchants: The royalty, aristocracy, and high-ranking Amirs lived in beautiful cottages adorned by gardens; rich merchants lived in tiled houses made of bricks and stones.
• Laymen: The common folk lived in houses located over their shops or beyond. Soldiers, maids, servants, and artisans lived in small huts.

WBBSE Chapter 6 Town Traders And Trade Topic C Miscellaneous Very Short Question And Answers

Question 1. Do you know about any other cities, which developed around trade and commerce? Seek help of the seniors of your family or your teachers, if necessary.
Answer:

A few cities, which developed around trade and commerce are Hyderabad, Faizabad, Mathura, Varanasi, Kanchipuram, Thanjavur, Lucknow, Kochi, Calicut, etc.

Question 2. Which of the articles mentioned here are still bought and sold?
Answer: India still imports varieties of jewels, and gold and also exports items like spices, silk, etc.

.Question 3. What were the modes of communication for trading with foreign countries?
Answer: Trading between India and the foreign countries were carried on by waterways and roadways.

Question 4. Which European country desired most to trade with India?
Answer: Of the European countries Portugal desired most to trade with India.

Question 5. What was ‘Jital’?
Answer: Jital is the copper coin of the Delhi sultans.

Question 6. Who built Sarak-i-Azam?
Answer: Sher Shah built Saraki-i-Azam.

WBBSE Chapter 6 Town Traders And Trade Topic C Miscellaneous Strike The Odd One Out

Question 1. Dam, Mohar, Hundi, Jital
Answer: Hundi

Question 2. Surat, Kolkata, Sreerampur, Madras
Answer: Sreerampur

Question 3. Kasba, Banjara, Multani, Saraf
Answer: Kasba

Question 4. Khulna, Faridpur, Mymensingh, Surat
Answer: Surat

Question 5. Qila Rai Pithora, Tughlaqabad, Fatehpur Sikri, Ferozabad
Answer: Fatehpur Sikri

Question 6. Qila Rai Pithora, Agra, Siri, Tajmahal
Answer: Tajmahal

Question 7. Villages, Shahar, Nagar, Qila
Answer: Qila

Question 8. Hauz-i-Shamsi, Hauz-i-Sultani, Hauz-i-Alai, Hazrat-i-Dilli
Answer: Hazrat-i-Dilli

Question 9. Leather, wood, carpet, fruits
Answer: Fruits

WBBSE Chapter 6 Town Traders And Trade Topic C Miscellaneous Find Out The Odd One And Underline It

Question 1. Shahjahanabad, Tughlaqabad, Qila Rai Pithora, Daulatabad
Answer: Daulatabad

Question 2. Tanka, Mohar, Hundi, Jital
Answer: Hundi

WBBSE Class 7 History Chapter 6 Question Answer

Question 3. Indigo, Pepper, Cotton Textile, Silver
Answer: Silver

Question 4. Caravanian, Kasba, Banjara, Multani
Answer: Kasba

Question 5. Pandua, Burhanpur, Chittagong, Gaur
Answer: Burhanpur

Fill In The Blanks

Question 1. Vasco da Gama was a navigator of ___________ (Spain/Portugal/Holland).
Answer: Portugal

Question 2. The main center of the Dutch in Bengal was ___________ (Bandel/Chinsurah/Chandannagar).
Answer: Bandel

WBBSE Chapter 6 Town Traders And Trade Topic C Miscellaneous True Or False

Question 1. Mongols belonged to England.
Answer: False

Question 2. Talao means lock.
Answer: False

Question 3. Chandni Chowk is in Delhi.
Answer: True

WBBSE Chapter 6 Town Traders And Trade Topic C Miscellaneous Match The Columns

Question 1.

Answer: 1. E, 2. D, 3. C, 4. B, 5. A

Question 2.

Answer: 1. E, 2. D, 3. B, 4. C, 5. A

Question 3.

Answer: 1. E, 2. D, 3. B, 4. C, 5. A

 

Question 4. 

Answer: 1. C, 2. A, 3. D, 4. C, 5. A