Page 66 - SST Class 07

example, the concept of zero and decimal system
spread to west Asia and Europe through these
traders.

Like overland trade, overseas trade was also carried
on with other countries. The merchandise was
carried in large ships by enterprising traders. The
Arabs and the Europeans owned large fleets of A bronze statue A bronze statue Gold Jewellery
of Saraswati
of Lord Shiva
ships to buy and sell their merchandise in different
countries. Indian traders too had formed guilds to and royal families to meet their needs. These
compete with other traders. These guilds pooled craftsmen prospered when the rulers thrived, and
resources of many traders and dealt in overseas suffered when the rulers declined. They formed a
trade. large part of the town.

The chief articles of export from India were After the arrival of the British, the creativity of the
textiles, jewellery, spices; and the chief articles of craftsmen suffered, as they
import were wines, silk etc. had to work on low wages and
they were required to
Just Think! reproduce the patterns shown
to them. This was mostly the
case in jewellery, embroidery,
What are the main commodities imported and
exported by India at present? textiles and pottery. Silk Sarees

Craftsmen Quiz Time
Write True or False :
Indian craftsmen have been famous for their
products since time immemorial. The Indian cotton 1. Hampi is located in Vijayanagara. __________
textiles in different patterns and types have been 2. The village of Hampi was a trade centre with
popular all over the world. The Indian craftsmen fertile land. __________
have also been famous for a number of other
products, such as jewellery, showpieces, gems, 3. Masulipatnam was a small trade town.
tools and appliances. They have earned a great __________
name in using different metals, like bronze, gold, 4. Surat is a major trade centre dealing in textiles
silver and copper. and diamonds. __________

In the beginning, the craftsmen made their 5. Surat was attacked by the Portuguese in 1521.
products and sold them in the local market. __________
However, many of them were hired by the rulers

v A town develops over a long period of time, but some towns can be founded for various needs, such as
capital towns, port towns or military towns.
v A capital town is a town where the court of a ruler is located.
v A pilgrimage town is important because of the location of a temple or other place of pilgrimage.
v A trade or a port town can be developed because it is suitable for such needs.
v A military town is a town where an army can train during peacetime and reach the battle scene quickly.
v Traders carry their trade; overseas or overland.
v Craftsmen form an important part of a town and make a place famous.

Contemporary Social Science-7
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