Towns Traders And Craftspersons - Class 7 History - Extra Questions

Give an account of the architecture of Hampi.

The architecture of Hampi was distinctive in several ways:
$$\rightarrow$$ Hampi was a well-fortified city. No mortar or cementing agent was used in the construction of these walls. The technique followed was to wedge them together by inter-locking.
$$\rightarrow$$ The buildings in the royal complex had splendid arches, domes and pillared halls with niches for holding sculptures.
$$\rightarrow$$  They also had well-planned orchards and pleasure gardens with sculptural motifs such as the lotus and corbels.


Why did the Dutch and English East India Companies attempt to control Masulipatnam?

Because Masulipatnam became the most important port on the Andhra coast.


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

Black Towns were established by the European companies within the new cities. The “blacks” or native traders, merchants, artisans (such as weavers) native traders and craftspersons lived in the 'Black Towns', while the “white” rulers occupied the superior residencies of Fort St George in Madras or Fort St William in Calcutta. 


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

Craftspersons played an important role in the building and maintenance of temples:
(i) The Vishwakarma community consisting of goldsmith, bronzesmiths, blacksmiths, masons and carpenters were essential to the building of temples.
(ii) Weavers such as the Saliyar or Kaikkolars were prosperous communities and they made ample donations to temples.
(iii) The craftspersons of Bidar were skilled in their inlay work in copper and silver They were also important for the building and maintenance of temples in their own way.


Compare any one of the cities described in this chapter with a town or a village with which you are familiar. Do you notice any similarities or differences?

We can compare New Delhi, the capital of India—with Thanjavur, the capital city of Cholas. Some of the similarities that we notice are as follows: 
(i) Parliament House from where the whole country is governed, is situated here. 
(ii) Supreme Court, the place of justice, is also located here. 
(iii) It is a commercial place. Business flourishes here. 
(iv) People from all over India visit this place. 
(v) Job opportunities are in plenty. Hence, sometimes people come here to settle down. 
Some of the differences that we noticed in Delhi from that of Thanjavur, are as follows: 
(i) Unlike Thanjavur, the size of the city of Delhi is much larger. 
(ii) It is expanding very fast. 
(iii) Law and order situation is not proper. Hence illegal activities are on increase. 
(iv) Delhi is becoming overcrowded day by day. The reason behind it is that people from distant places come here in pursuit of job and finally they settle down. 


Why do you think towns grew around temples?

The following factors are responsible for the growth of towns around temples: 
(a) A large number of priests, workers, artisans, traders, etc. settled near the temple. 
(b) They catered to the various needs of the people as well as of pilgrims who flocked to the temples. By and by towns grew, which came to be known as temple towns.


What do temple towns represent?

Temple towns represent a very important pattern of urbanization. The city was built around the temple. These were centers of religious activities as well as had administrative importance.


What do the ruins of Hampi reveal?

The ruins of Hampi reveal a well-fortified city.


Why has Surat been called the gateway to Mecca?

Surat has been called the gateway to Mecca because many pilgrim ships set sail from here.


Mention some articles of trade on which temple authorities collected taxes.

Sugar and jaggery, dyes, thread, and cotton, coconut, salt, areca nuts, butter, sesame oil and cloth.


What were the textiles of Surat famous for?

The textiles of Surat were famous for their gold lace borders i.e. zari.


What purpose did small towns serve?

Several small towns came to be seen in the sub-continent from the 8th century onward. These towns usually had a mandapika or mandi where nearby villagers came to sell their produce. These towns also had market streets called haat or hoot lined with shops. There were also streets for different kinds of artisans such as potters, oil pressers, sugar market toddy makers, etc. Many traders came from far and near to these towns to buy local articles and sell products of distant places such as salt camphor horses, etc.


What was special about the Surat hundis?

The Surat hundis were honoured in the far off markets of Cairo in Egypt, Basra in Iraq and Antwerp in Belgium.


Why did the rulers endow temples with grants of land and money?

They did so in order to carry out elaborate rituals, feed pilgrims and priests and celebrate festivals and thus to win the hearts of their people.


How did pilgrims contribute to the temples?

They made donations.


What were craftspersons of Bidar famous for?

They were famous for their inlay work in copper and silver.


What did the Indian traders bring from Africa?

They brought gold and ivory from Africa.


What were the reasons of the decline of Surat?

Surat, which was an important trade center during the Mughal period, began to decline towards the end of the seventeenth century. This was because of the following factors: 
a) Because of the decline of the Mughal Empire, Surat faced a huge loss of markets and productivity.
b)The control of the sea routes went into the hands of Portuguese.
c) Surat could not complete with Bombay where the English East India Company shifted its headquarters in 1668.


Why did people from distant lands visit Surat?

People from distant lands visited Surat because of the following reasons:
(i) Surat was the gateway for trade with West Asia via the Gulf of Hormuz.
(ii) Surat has also been called the gate to Mecca because many pilgrim ships set sail from here.
(iii) There was a big market for cotton textiles. One could find several retail and wholesale shops selling cotton textiles.
(iv) The textiles of Surat were famous for their gold lace borders, Ie, zari and had a market in West Asia, Africa, and Europe.
(v) There were ample rest-houses for the visitors. Magnificent buildings and innumerable pleasure parks attracted people from far-off places.


Vijayanagara is located on the banks of___________ River in Karnataka.

Vijayanagara is located on the banks of Tungabhadra River in Karnataka.


Bahamani broke up into_________smaller kingdoms.

Bahamani broke up into five smaller kingdoms.


How was Hampi in its heyday in the 15-16th centuries? When did it fall into ruin?

In its heyday in the 15-16th century, Hampi was an important center of commercial and cultural activities. Moors, which was a name used collectively for Muslim merchants, Chettis and agents of European traders such as the Portuguese, visited the markets of Hampi. 
Temples were the hub of cultural activities. Temple dancers known as devadasis performed before the deities, royalty, and masses in the many-pillared halls in the Virupaksha, a form of Shiva, temple. The Mahanavami festival was one of the most important festivals celebrated at Hampi. Hampi fell into ruin following the defeat of Vijayanagara in 1565 by the Deccani Sultans.


Vijayanagara means the City of _____________.

Vijayanagara means the City of Victory.


What made the city of Masulipatnam populous and prosperous?

The city of Masulipatnam was a center of intense activity during the 17th century. Both the Dutch and English East India Companies attempted to control this city as it became the most important part of the Andhra coast. Qutb Shah rulers of Golconda imposed royal monopolies on the sale of textiles, spices, and other items in order to prevent the trade from passing completely into the hands of the various East India Companies. This led to fierce competition among various trading groups such as the Golconda nobles, Persian merchants, Telugu Komati Chettis and European traders. As a result, the city became populous and prosperous.


Nicolo Conti from _____________visited Vijayanagara in 1420 CE.

Nicolo Conti from Italy visited Vijayanagara in 1420 CE.


____________the Persian trader visited Vijayanagara in 1443 CE.

Abdul Razzak the Persian trader visited Vijayanagara in 1443 CE.


On the north of the Tungabhadra river, some new kingdoms called the ___________kingdoms arose.

On the north of the Tungabhadra river, some new kingdoms called the Bahamani kingdoms arose.


The Portuguese traveler ___________visited Vijayanagara in 1520 CE.

Portuguese traveler Domingo Paes visited Vijayanagara in 1520 CE.


Identify the king.
He led the Vijayanagara armies successfully against the Bahmani sultans and also against the Gajapatis of Odisha. He also subdued several chiefs who had revolted in Karnataka, Andhra, and Tamil regions.

Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara.

He led the Vijayanagara armies successfully against the Bahmani sultans and also against the Gajapatis of Odisha. He also subdued several chiefs who had revolted in Karnataka, Andhra, and Tamil regions.


Amuktamalyada was based on the life of _________, the Tamil Bhakta poetess.

Amuktamalyada was based on the life of Andal, the Tamil Bhakta poetess.


____________ruled from 1509 CE to 1529 CE.

Krishnadevaraya ruled from 1509 CE to 1529 CE.


Raya Gopurama means a _____________.

Raya Gopurama means a towering temple gateways.


____________started recruiting Muslim fighters to serve him.

Devaraya-II started recruiting Muslim fighters to serve him.


The main part of Golconda State was ___________.

The main part of Golconda State was Telangana.


The puranapul was built across river ___________.

The puranapul was built across river Musi.


During Krishnadevaraya's period, the _________had established their power over some ports of the western coast like Goa.

During Krishnadevaraya's period, the Portugese had established their power over some ports of the western coast like Goa.


______________composed the poetic work Amuktamalyada.

Krishnadevaraya composed the poetic work Amuktamalyada.


During Qutub shahi,__________ became a major port from where trade was carried out with South East Asia, China, Persia, Arabia, and Europe.

During Qutub Shahi, Machilipatnam became a major port from where trade was carried out with South East Asia, China, Persia, Arabia, and Europe.


___________was the Architect of the City of Hyderabad.

Mir Momin Astarabadi was the Architect of the City of Hyderabad.


____________ captured the fort of Golconda in the year 1687.

Aurangazeb captured the fort of Golconda in the year 1687.


During the Qutub Shahi period, __________was known all over the world for its famous diamonds.

During the Qutub Shahi period, Golconda was known all over the world for its famous diamonds.


Ibrahims son ___________ was a great visionary and was responsible for the planning and building of Hyderabad city.

Ibrahims son Mohmmed Quli was a great visionary and was responsible for the planning and building of Hyderabad city.


The tombs of the seven QutubShahi rulers in the Ibrahim Bagh are located close to the famous Golkonda Fort in ____________.

The tombs of the seven QutubShahi rulers in the Ibrahim Bagh are located close to the famous Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad.


Who controlled the towns and villages of the Vijayanagara Empire?

The captains of these troops or amaranayakas are the nobles of his kingdom and they hold the city, the towns, and the villages of the kingdom.


Horses in those days were important for the fast movement of troops. What do you think has taken their place today?

In those days horses were the fastest moving animals and hence used on large scale. But, nowadays their place is being taken by modern helicopter, artillery weapons which are faster than those horses.


Elephants were slow-moving but powerful in attack. What do you think has replaced them today?

Those roles of powerful attacks are now being taken by tanks and aerial vehicles like combat helicopters, fighter jets, and maritime arsenals like weapons carrying vessels, submarines, etc.


What are the sources of information on the Vijayanagara kingdom we have?

We know much about Vijayanagara Empire from inscriptions, books, and buildings of that period. We get insights into the daily life, the administration, and the social organizations of the kingdom.


What makes the armies of countries powerful?

Modern weaponry use like tanks, fighter jets, helicopters, artillery guns, and also the use of nuclear weapons makes modern-day armies more powerful.


Why do you think modern cities do not build fort walls of this kind?

Earlier it was necessary to build strong fort walls because there was always the threat of attacks from enemy states. But nowadays there are no such threats of attack and hence modern cities do not build such fort walls.


Short note.
Foundation of Vijayanagara kingdom.

Foundation of Vijayanagara kingdom:
According to history, it was founded by two brothers named Harihara Raya and Bukka Raya around 1336 CE with the blessings of a sage named Vidyaranya.


Why was Krishnadevaraya the most feared king?

The king Krishnadevaraya was the most feared king in the region because he had a million fighting troops, which include 35,000 cavalries (horse riders) ready to be dispatched to any quarter whenever necessary.


What is meant by Iqta?

The system of the Delhi Sultanate, whose nobles or amirs were given similar revenue assignments called Iqtas.


Why did Krishnadevaraya establish friendly relations with the Portuguese?

Krishnadevaraya established friendly relations with them in order to get exclusive supply of horses and firearms from them. He also employed Portugese troops in his wars.


Short note.
Importance of Vijayadashami day in Vijayanagara.

Importance of Vijayadashami day in Vijayanagara:
Every year, on the Vijayadashami day, the King organized elaborate festivities and worship, which concluded with a massive parade of his armies. On this day, all the chiefs and amaranayakas of the empire brought their tributes to the King.


What did the captains have to do for the king in return for these villages?

Captains have to be ready with their troops whenever the king needs them. Besides maintaining these troops, each captain has to make his annual payment to the king.


Give the names of the Ashtadiggajas.

Krishnadevaraya's court was adorned by eight poets known popularly as Ashtadiggajas. They are Allasani Peddana, Mukku Thimmana, Dhurjati, Ramaraja Bhushana, Tenali Ramakrishna, Pingali Surana, Ayyalaraju Ramabadhrudu and Madayagari Mallana.


Krishnadeva Raya fought against several enemies in order to consolidate his kingdom. Make a list of all of them.

Krishnadeva Raya fought battles successfully against:
1. The Bahmani Sultans
2. The Gajapatis of Odisha and
3. He subdued several chiefs who had revolted in Karnataka, Andhra, and Tamil regions.


Identify the personality.
He played an important role in preparing the layout plan for the Charminar along with that of the new capital city.

Mir Momin Astarabadi.

Astarabadi played an important role in preparing the layout plan for the Charminar along with that of the new capital city.


Were there any similarities between Nayakas of Vijayanagara and Delhi sultanate amirs?

Yes, there were similarities of power to collect revenue in their territories and also to maintain troops from that revenue. So both systems were almost similar in this respect.


Short note.
Tallikota war.

Tallikota war:
As the Bahamani kings were unable to fight the Vijayanagara individually, by 1565 AD, all the five Bahmani kingdoms joined together and defeated Rama Raya in Rakkasi tangadi war also known as Tallikota war.


Identify the personality.
Deccani Urdu acquired the status of a literary language due to his contributions.

Quli Qutub Shah.

Deccani Urdu acquired the status of a literary language due to Quli Qutub Shah's contributions.


Identify the personality.
He appointed Kancharla Gopanna (also known as Ramadasu) as Tahasildar (head of the revenue department) of Palvancha county.

Abul-Hasan Tana Shah.

Abul-Hasan Tana Shah appointed Kancharla Gopanna (also known as Ramadasu) as Tahasildar (head of the revenue department) of Palvancha county.


Identify the personality.
He invited and honored Kshetrayya, the famous Padam writer to his court.

Abdulla Qutub Shah.

Abdulla Qutub Shah invited and honoured Kshetrayya, the famous padam writer to his court.


What is the revenue contract system?

The revenue contract system was a land revenue system in which the government auctioned the right to collect revenue from a region to the highest bidder.


What is the tomb?

The tombs are structures with intricately carved stonework and are surrounded by landscaped gardens. For example, the toms of Golconda, Humayun tomb.


Compare the amaranayakas with the old chiefs of Kakatiyas. Were they different or similar and in what way?

There are some similarities and also some differences between Kakatiya nayakas and amaranayakas of Vijayanagara as follows:
1. The chiefs under Kakatiyas like nayakas under Vijayanagara kings, usually collected several taxes and dues from farmers, herders and craftspersons.
2. The Kakatiya chiefs enjoyed the ownership of the land and got it cultivated for them by tenants. But nayakas of Vijayanagara were given land assignments by the king.
3. The Kakatiya chiefs spent more of their income on their own comfort than to maintain armies. Whereas the nayakas spent more of their income to maintain armies.


Identify the personality.
She built Hayat Bakshi Mosque located in Hayathnagar, near Hyderabad.

Hayat Bakshi Begum.

Hayat Bakshi Begum built Hayat Bakshi Mosque located in Hayathnagar, near Hyderabad.


Why was the Vijayanagara army dependent on imports from the western coast?

Vijayanagara army was dependent on imports from the western coast because, Vijayanagara was heavily dependent on western coast for imports of goods such as guns, arms, horses from Arabia. They also imported other important items from the west coast. Krishnadevaraya maintained friendly relationships with the Portuguese in order to get a supply of horses and firearms from them.


Short note.
The tombs of seven Qutubshahi rulers.

The tombs of seven Qutubshahi rulers:
The tombs of the seven QutubShahi rulers in the Ibrahim Bagh are located close to the famous Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad. The tombs mark a unique architectural style that is a mixture of Persian and Hindu.


Why did the kings of Vijayanagara live in a separate quarter and not in the middle of the city as in Orugallu?

In Orugallu, kings resided in the middle of the city to protect the temples in the fort. Also, this fort was protected by elevated structures. On the other hand, Vijayanagar kings separated their residence and other residences due to the fear of attack from enemies of that time.


Why were the amaranayakas very powerful?

Amaranayakas, also known as captains of the troops, were very powerful in the Vijayanagara empire due to the following reasons:
1. The captains of these troops are the nobles of his kingdom and they hold the city, the towns, and the villages of the kingdom.
2. They also administered the areas under their control.
3. They had judicial powers too (the power to judge criminals and give punishments).


Discuss the contribution of Krishnadevaraya to temples in Vijayanagara.

Contribution of Krishnadevaraya to temples in Vijayanagara:
Krishnadevaraya paid special attention to the temples of his kingdom. He also donated to a large number of temples. Krishnadevarayas inscriptions state that he had distributed the great treasure gained in his successful wars to all the major temples of southern India. Towering temple gateways called Raya gopuram were built in many of these temples in his honor.


What services were rendered to Telugu literature by the Vijayanagara Kings?

Services rendered to Telugu literature by the Vijayanagara Kings were as follows:
King Krishnadeva Raya was an accomplished Telugu scholar and wrote Amuktamalyada. In his court were the eight famous scholars regarded as the pillars of the literary assembly (Ashta diggajas). Also, the famous scholar Srinatha wrote books in Telugu in Vijayanagara period. That is why this was the golden period for Telugu literature.


Discuss the military power of Vijayanagara kingdom.

Military power of Vijayanagara kingdom were as follows:
Vijayanagara rulers invested a lot of money in building their military power. They imported a large number of horses from Arabia and Iran, which came in ships to their ports on the west coast. They recruited a large army and built many strong forts. The Vijayanagara kings started using guns and cannons in their forces.


Short note.
Establishment of Qutub shahi.

Establishment of Qutub shahi:
Around the year 1512, Quli Qutub Shah who was a governor of the Bahmanis in Telangana region declared independence and established the Qutub Shahi dynasty of Golconda. Quli Qutub Shah extended his rule by capturing forts at Warangal, Kondapalli, Eluru, and Rajahmundry.


Nayakas were also more powerful and also captured power at times. Explain.

Nayakas were also more powerful and also captured power at times as follows:
The Nayakas recruited their soldiers, usually from among their own villagers or kinsmen, and trained them. These armies were loyal to the Nayakas rather than to the king. Many powerful nayakas like Saluva Narasimha or Narasa Nayaka controlled vast areas and at times, could even challenge the Vijayanagara kings. In fact, some of them were so powerful that when a king died, they took control of power in their own hands and themselves became kings.


Give the account of Vijayanagara city's division into different sections.

Vijayanagara city:
Archaeologists are of the opinion that the city had four separate divisions: the first one devoted to temples, situated on rocky hills; the second one on the valley, where crops were raised using water from irrigation channels; the third, a royal center in which royal palaces and residences of important nayakas were located and the fourth one, allocated for the residences of ordinary townsfolk.


How did the Vijayanagara kingdom came to the end?

Vijayanagara kingdom came to the end as follows:
Five Bahamani kings defeated Vijayanagara in Tallikota war. They looted and destroyed the city of Vijayanagara. The emperors who succeeded him shifted their capital to Chandragiri near Tirupati, but never regained the glory of earlier times. While a part of the empire came under the control of the Sultans, the chiefs and Nayakas became independent in other parts.


Discuss the support of various kingdoms to Telugu literature?

1. Various kings supported Telugu literature in medieval period. Krishnadeva Raya was also a patron of Telugu literature and he himself composed the poetic work Amuktamalyada on the life of Andal, the Tamil Bhakta poetess.
2. His court was adorned with eight poets popularly known as Ashtadiggajas.
3. Also, Qutub shah patronized Telugu literature. Famous Telugu poets of Ibrahim Qutub Shahs period were Singanacharyudu, Addanki Gangadharudu, Kandukuru Rudrakavi and Ponnaganti Telaganarya.


Describe the art and architecture of the Qutub Shahis rules.

The architecture of the Qutub Shahis rules as follows:
Mohammed Quli was a great visionary and was responsible for the planning and building of Hyderabad city. Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah built Mecca Masjid and Jama Masjid. It was built on the model of the grand mosque of Mecca. Quli Qutub Shah also constructed the Charminar, the most recognizable symbol of Hyderabad. He was also an accomplished poet in Persian and Urdu. Abdulla Qutub Shah was a lover of poetry and music. He invited and honoured Kshetrayya, the famous padam writer to his court.


Write the description given by Domingo Paes about Vijayanagara city.

The description given by Domingo Paes about Vijayanagara city were:
 The king has made a very strong city, fortified with walls and towers. These walls are not made like those of other cities, but are made of strong masonry and inside, very beautiful rows of buildings with a flat roof."


Why do you think did the economy of the Golconda kingdom prosper under Qutub shah while it declined during the early Mughal rule?

The economy of the Golconda kingdom prosper under Qutub shah while it declined during the early Mughal rule because,
1. The Qutub Shahi rulers actively supported irrigation construction, urban development, agriculture activities and also encouraged trade with other countries.
2. Golconda, Machilipatnam were the main centers for economic activities during the Qutubshahi rulers.
3. On the other hand, Mughals tried to extract as many possible resources from the region as they can. They also introduced systems like revenue contracts wherein farmers and other were exploited by the moneylenders.


What were the reasons that caused widespread distress in the Hyderabad region?

The reasons were that caused widespread distress in the Hyderabad region as follows:
1. The Mughals under Aurangzeb tried to extract maximum revenue from the Hyderabad region and adopted the system of revenue contract.
2. Under this system, the government auctioned the right to collect revenue from a region to the highest bidder.
3. These were usually the locally powerful people or moneylenders and they oppressed the peasants and artisans to get maximum income. This caused widespread distress, including famines, migration, and depopulation.


Short note.
Mecca masjid.

Mecca masjid:

Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah built Mecca Masjid and Jama Masjid. It was built on the model of the grand mosque of Mecca. Quli Qutub Shah commissioned bricks to be made from the soil brought from Mecca, and used them in the construction of the central arch of the mosque, thus giving the mosque its name.


Why did Tana Shah jailed Ramadasu?

Tana Shah jailed Ramadasu because, he was accused that he diverted the public funds to construct Lord Rama temple in Bhadrachalam and got the jewelry for the idols of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana. Tani Shah found Ramadasu guilty of diverting public funds and put him in jail and released him after realisation.


Ibrahim Qutub Shah was a great patron of literature. Elaborate.

Ibrahim Qutub Shah was a great patron of literature as follows:
Sultan Ibrahim Qutub Shah (155080) patronized Telugu literature, supported Brahmins and temples, and engaged in large-scale irrigation works like the Kakatiya kings. Famous Telugu poets of Ibrahim Qutub Shahs period were Singanacharyudu, Addanki Gangadharudu, Kandukuru Rudrakavi, and Ponnaganti Telaganarya were patronized by Ibrahim Qutub Shah.


Short note.
Hussain Sagar Lake.

Hussain Sagar Lake:

Husssain Sagar Lake is built in 1562 during the reign of Ibrahim Qutub Shah. It was named after Sufi Saint Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali who helped to design it. It was developed as an artificial lake that holds water perennially fed into Musi river. It became the main source of drinking water to Hyderabad.


Class 7 History Extra Questions