NCERT 6th Class (CBSE) Social Science: The Second Urbanization / Vital Villages Thriving Towns

Question:What were shrenis? What functions did shrenis of crafts persons perform?

Answer: Shrenis were associations of crafts persons and merchants. The shrenis of crafts persons performed various functions. They provided training, procured raw material and distributed the finished product. Then came shrenis of merchants who organised the trade. Shrenis also performed the role of banks where rich men and women deposited money.

Question: Write a short note on Arikamedu.

Answer: Arikamedu, located in Pondicherry, was a coastal settlement between 2200 and 1900 years ago. It was a place where ships unloaded goods from distant lands. A massive brick structure which is supposed to be a warehouse was found at the site. Other discoveries include pottery from the Mediterranean region. For example, amphorae which were tall double handled jars that contained liquids and stamped red-glued pottery, known as Arretine Ware. It was named after a city in Italy.

Question: Describe severed ways offinding out about early cities.

Answer: Several ways of finding out about early cities include Jatakas, sculpture, archaeology and travellers.
Jatakas were stories composed by ordinary people and preserved by Buddhist monks. Sculptures carved scenes depicting peoples’ lives in towns and villages as well as in the forest. Many of these sculptures were used to decorate railings, pillars and gateways of buildings that were visited by people. In many cities, archaeologists have found rows of pots or ceramic rings arranged one on top of the other. These are known as ring wells, which were used as toilets and as drains and garbage dumps. These ring wells are usually found in individual houses. The accounts of sailors and travelers also help us to know about early cities. One of the most detailed accounts that has been found was by an unknown Greek Sailor. He described all the ports he visited.

Question: Mathura was a city with many Junctions. Explain.

Answer: Mathura has been an important city for more than 2500 years. It was important for various reasons.
It was located at the cross roads of two major routes of travel and trade – from the northwest to the east and from north to south.

1. There were fortifications around the city, and several shrines. Farmers and herders from adjoining areas provided food for city people.
2. Mathura was also a centre where some extremely find sculpture was produced.
3. Around 2000 years ago, Mathura became the second capital of the Kushanas.
4. Mathura was a religious centre also. There were Buddhist monasteries and Jaina shrines. It was also an important centre for the worship of Lord Krishna.