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n the growth added to the importance
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als throu ight
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DEVELOPED
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TYPES Of TOWNS Sheikh Salím Chishti
The Dareah Of
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urwns,
m
Cordova Leaming Series HISTORY-7 65
 esc

Craft Towns IMPORTANT TOWNS The Magnificent City-Hampi

became the new
capital city 8ained due to their specialised
which A Portuguese traveller, Domingo Paes,
a Many towns developed Hampi
town and also needed
luxury
importance. It was the capital nobles who
of Sheikh crafts. Kings and The famous city of Hampi was the capital of the described Hampi in the sixteenth century
of the dargah of craft towns. The
religious town because the growth
goods, encouraged of Golconda, kingdom of the Vijayanagar Empire. A ..at the entrance of the gate where those pass
Salim Chishti. of the kingdom
1s
with who come from Goa, this king has made within
town capital city and spectacular city magnificent forts and
a
capital famous for gem-cutting
Another example of was beautiful temples, Hampi was also strategically
Hyderabad, it a very strong city fortified with walls and
its 'bidri'work.
Shahjahanabad built by Shah Jahan. was famous
for
jewels. Bidar located. It was protected by River Tungabhadra in towers; these walls are not like those of other
Towns (Quick Revision) the north and rocky granite ridges orn the other cities, but are made of very strong masonry
Temples And Pilgrimage Multiple Choice Questions
in those days. three sides. such as would be found in a few other parts,
an important role
Religion played towns gained Tick ( ) the correct options. The ruins of Hampi tell us its story of lost and inside very beautiful rows of building
Temples and pilgrimage who thronged was a
because of the devotees 1. Thanjavur splendour and fabulous wealth. The city was made after their manner withflat roofs.
importance towns
their deities. Such (a) commercial town planned in such a way that it was protected by
the towns to worship
for sculptors, painters, (b) temple town forts, outlying fields and a 20 km long water Surat
created opportunities
other
and people of channel, that acted like a defence against any attack. Surat is situated on the banks of river Tapti.
musicians, flower shops
(c) both (a) and (b)
professions. Muin-ud-din Chishti is at During the medieval times, Surat was an
famous capital 2. Dargah of Khwaja
was a
temple city and the important port as well as a trading town. As a
Tanjore (b) Sikri
and Mathura (a) Ajmer result of its strategic position, it became the
of the Cholas. Madurai, Tirupati
towns in those days. (c) Amber
were some other temple gateway for trade with West Asia via the gulf of
Vrindavan were famous
Benaras, Allahabad and Ormuz.
pilgrimage towns. Similarly, dargah ot khwaja IMPORTANT BUSINESS COMMUNITIES Surat became a very important Mughal trading
Muin-ud-din Chishti at Ajmer made the town,a
Traders and craftsmen were important business port. It also became a major overlandroute from
hub of devotees and pilgrims. communities. and Delhi. Surat was famous for its texile
Agra
There were mainly two kinds of traders-big a
industry and therefore, became major centre for
Trading And Business Towns
trade, and traders and small traders. The big traders were export of textiles along with indigo and other
From the point of view of business
of Ruins Of Hampi
towns if were producers raw rich and owned ships and boats, and even products.
developed they
and traded abroad. The small traders operated The Hampi architecture was distinctive. Hampi
The British established a trading factory in Surat in
products or because of the presence of ports enioyed its prime position during the 15th-16th
harbours or major trade routes to foreign in utility products like 1612. The Dutch opened the trading factory
lands. At locally spices, cloththeor century. It was a hub of cultural and commercial
times, towns developed because of the even crafts. Craftsmen were patronised by followed by the French in 1664.
of master craftsmen, who trained even the master activities.
craftsmanship Mughals who encouraged Trade and commerce flourished and in 1689, on an
and taught them various skills like craftsmen to conduct workshops (karkhanas) to Hampi was an important cotton and spice trade
people average, hundred ships from different countries
weaving and embroidery. Ahmedabad was train people. centre. Traders from Persia, Arabia, Burma
were found to be anchored at the port at any time.
famous for cotton and silk, whereas Hampi, Surat (Myanmar), China and numerous islands in the
Traders formed guilds to protect their interests
and Masulipatnam were important trade centres. These guilds laid down rules for its members to
Indian Ocean visited Hampi to trade. European
There were two types of commercial towns, inland merchants also bought cotton and spices from
Multiple Choice Questions (Quick Revision)
streamline policies and regulations for the benefit
trading towns and port towns. Tick () the correct options.
of all. Traders usually travelled together in large Hampi
Temples were the hub of cultural activities. 1. Surat is situated on the banks of River
Wonderful To Know caravans. The banjaras were a trading group that
traded in foodstuffs. They generally moved from Archaeologists found the Mahanavami platform (a) Krishna
Marco Polo (1254-1324 CE) is probably the most
(6) Tapti
place to place where the king received guests and accepted
() Tungabhadra
westem traveller who travelled on the Silk
famous
Route. His journey through Asia lasted for 24 years. He
tribute. 2. Traders formed....to protect their interests.
Spices and textiles were the most important items
became a confidant of Kublai Khan, the ruler of China In 1565, Hampi was defeated by the Delhi Sultans.
of trade. These were exported to traders on
the (a) unions ) guilds
(1214-1294 CE), and travelled through the whole of It was from this time onwards that Hampi fell into
China. He wrote a travelogue of his ports of the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, South-east Asia (c) associations
journey. ruins.
and China.
66 Cordova Learning Series HISTORY-7 Cordova Leaming Series HISTORY-7 67
 Masulipatnam m
world.
In Other Parts Of The World During That Time
d i a m o n d s
in
the
ot
diamonds and nrubies
trade

Vasco da Gama And Christopher Columbus

this
d u e to
were

flourished,
rules
prosperous importance whhen
its
who sailed a c r o s s the Atlantic t o the African cuast,
Vasco da Gama, a Portuguesesailor, was one of those
commerce The lost
Surat.
and at (Kolkata)
As
trade
set up
M a s u l i p a t n a m

Calcutta
and Ocean. His first journey took m o r e than year He reached
a

went round it, crossing over to the indian

offices
and their
taxes
and (Mumbai),
paid trading ports of # the the folowing year. After his success, the
s t r e a m l i n e d

traders Bombay
Calicut in 1498 and returmed to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal,
where countries became
house,
foreign (Chennai)
custom
from Madras

he mint
where
traders
of the
offices
set
routes proved to be profitable and he was followed by
the English, Dutch and French sailors.
Columbus, a n Italian sailor,
some
Europeans.
The search for sea routes to India led to another discovery. Christopher
were

exchanged
currency
Empire. However, the West Indies
the Mughal of the Port Town to find a route to India. He landed in
up
to
trade with towards
the end A Fish by William decided to sail westwards across the AtlanticOcean
and occupied
close behind him. They went a step ahead
decline described
a for it. as
Surat
experienced
were
responsible
Masulipatnam,
the English East in 1492. Sailors from Spain and Portugal were
Factor or
factors
Also, settlements in the area.
Many it in
1664. a and South America, often destroying earlier
17th century
Shivaji
destroyed
and
Methwold, was
large parts of Central
Maratha
leader markets in 1620.
Empire
declined,
India Company, where th
the Mughal Portuguese began
to
port of
golconda,
Points To Remember
This is the chief
as
lost. The
tast I n d a Company have
were
productivity competition
distinctive feature of the medieval period.
control the sea
route and
there w a s

the East
India Right Worshipfulla small town but populous
It is
Growth
of towns was a

out of a large village which had a wholesale

market (mandi) or where
Bombay(Mumbai)
where
their Agent. situated; within an
developed
Sometimes towns
from in 1668. Today, w e r e held.
its headquarters unwalled, illbruilt and worse weekly markets (haats) o r fairs (melas)
occasional or
fish port
shifted
Company It was first a
for merchants who were buyers and sellers.
place towns as it became a c o m m o n place
brackish.
commercial centre the springs
are
Trade took in
Surat is a major shys can anchor etc.
There w e r e different types of towns like capital towns, religious towns,
where
town (a place
MASULIPATNAM
the convenience of the
roadmadeit and Masulipatnam developed as important trade centres.
was the name .afterwards,
merchants and s o
continues since Important towns like Hampi, Surat
or Machhlipatnam, in search of spices and other products in the 15th
Masulipatnam
The n a m e
means a fish port town.
It a residencefor this coast Europeans came to the Indian subcontinent
town. Dutch nationfrequented
ofa port
the Bay of Bengal on the River our
andthe century.
is situated in
initially
founded by AND TRADERS
Krishna. Masulipatnam
was
NEW TOWNS
the trading Arabs who
Spices and
textiles of India attracted the Europeans Exercise
found their way from
the and 17th centuries.
The English, the
during the 16th Quick Revision Use Cordova Smart Class Software on the
Red Sea to southern India
in
Dutch and the
Frernch govermments wanted to smart board in class to do these exercise5
the 14th century. It was activities in the east with
expand their commercial A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ5) [Tick ( ) the correct options. ]
towards the end of the 16th naval power.
the help of their superior
century that a new sea link 1. Banjaras were a
Due to the increase in the there
demand of textiles,
was established between
up
increase in people who took
(a) forest tribe (b) trading group religiousgroup
Masulipatnam and the was a sudden
Kalamkari Work 2. In 1565, Hampi was defeated by the
west. rafts such as spinning, weaving, bleaching and

Masulipatnam was and still is famous for its dying. On the other hand,
this period also (a) Delhi Sultans (b) Shivaji (c) Cholas
B. Fill in the blanks.
means a pen and kari
witnessed the decline of the independence of
Kalamkari work. Kalam
1. Benaras and Vrindavan were
means work. Saris and cloth material were painted craftsmen as they had to weave cloth as per the famous.. . towrns
demands of the European agents. 2. Dargah of Sheikh Salim Chishti is situated in the town called.
with the help of natural dyes with a kalam or a pen
made of bamboo. Kalamkari textiles were exported This period also saw the rise of three important 3. Hampi was the capital of the.*** *.***.......... empire.
to the Safavid Empire in Persia. cities-Bombay (Mumbai), Calcutta (Kolkata) and 4.
. means a tish port town.
C. Write (T) for true and (F) for false statements.
Masulipatnam developed as a manufacturing Madras (Chennai). The Europeans set
up areas
centre and in the 17th century, it was a city of called Black Towns in these cities. The craftsmen 1. Mughal official documents on land grants and land revenue assessment also tell
weavers and dyers. It was in the beginning of the and artisans were moved into these areas to work us about old and new towns.
19th century that their trade began to decline and live there. The Europeans, on the other hand, 2. Thanjavur was the capital city of Cholas.
speedily. occupied the posh residential areas of Fort St 3. Surat was finally taken over by the Portuguese in 1759 CE.
This city was important because it was the port of William in Calcutta (Kolkata) and Fort St
George 4. Masulipatnam was and still is famous for phulkari work.
Golconda. Golconda mines produced the largest n Madras (Chennai).

Cordova Learning Series HISTORY-7 69

68 Cordova Learming Series HISTORY-7
 Answer The Following
A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) [Tick () the correct answers.
1. What kind of offices were set up in Surat?
(a) Election office b ) Portofice
(c) The custom house and the mint
2. Which town was prosperous due to the trade of diamonds and rubies?
(a) Agra b) Masulipatnam )Hampi
B Short Answer Questions
1. What does 'capital town' mean? How were towns classified?
2. List the two conditions that were required for trading and business towns to develop.
3. How did craft towns develop?
4. What were Black Towns?
C. LongAnswer Questions
1. How did
temple towns develop? Explain with an example.
2. How did Surat gain its importance as a
trading town?
3. Write notes on (a) Masulipatnam (b) Hampi
Focus on their importance and decline.
D. HOTS (Higher Order Thinking
Skills) Questions
1. What is more
important- trading for just profit or trading with impartial yet effective rules
regulations? Why?
2. Doyou think, political stability helps to bring economic prosperity?
events that took place during the medieval Explain with the help of
E. Value Corner period.
This lesson talks about business and trade. Which
value is most important for a business to
prosper?
Given here
Activity
are the monuments
of two capital towns. ldentify the
monuments and the
towns they belong to. Find the details of how
they lost importance.
Surfing is Interesting
To know more about Kalamkari, visit
http://resources.archedu.org/kalamkari.html
To seepictures of present-day Cambay (Khambat), visit
http://indiahistoryspeaks.blogspot.in/2008/05/khambat-forgotten-city.html
Life Skill
Soniya wants to create
employment opportunities for poor and backward
confidence and a platform to earn money. These women are very talented and knowwomen to give then
the help of straw,
hay, ropes and even
plastic strings. How do you think Sonia basket-making wit
right from procuring raw material to selling finished should organise herse-
products in the market?
70 Cordova Learning Series HISTORY-7