RBSE Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 21 Ancient Indian Economy is part of RBSE Solutions for Class 6 Social Science. Here we have given Rajasthan Board RBSE Class 6 Social Science Chapter 21 Ancient Indian Economy.
| Board | RBSE |
| Textbook | SIERT, Rajasthan |
| Class | Class 6 |
| Subject | Social Science |
| Chapter | Chapter 21 |
| Chapter Name | Ancient Indian Economy |
| Number of Questions | 50 |
| Category | RBSE Solutions |
Rajasthan Board RBSE Class 6 Social Science Chapter 21 Ancient Indian Economy
Textbook Activity Based Questions and Answers
Activity
Question 1.
Discuss why India was called a ‘Bird of Gold’? (Page 142)
Answer:
There was great demand of goods made in India in foreign countries. In exchange of export of these goods, India used to obtain gold and silver from foreign countries and because of availability of superior quality of raw material in India, it did not import goods from other countries. Thus gold and silver received as payments were retained in our country. Gold from all over the world got accumulated in India and our stock of gold increased and India became prosperous. So India was known as called a ‘Bird of Gold’.
Question 2.
Prepare a list of agriculture produce of ancient India. (Page 143)
Answer:
Following is the list of agricultural produce of ancient India- sugar, salt, tea, opium, cotton, spices, indigo, silk and sugarcane, etc.
Question 3.
“Indian farmer is better than an average English farmer in certain matters”- Who told this? (Page 143)
Answer:
“Indian farmer is better than an average English farmer in certain matters.” This statement was made by Dr. Voileker in the year 1889.
Following were the reasons of this-
- The Indian farmer used to clear the crop of unnecessary weeds in an appropriate manner.
- Indian farmer had deep knowledge about the soil, tilling the fields, sowing the seeds and harvesting the crop.
Question 4.
Write the following in your notebook by observing the map
Answer:
(a) Places where the white cloth was manufactured. (Page 143)
Answer:
White cloth was manufactured at places such as Lahore, Sarhind, Samana, Patna, Dhaka, Kalkutta, Ahmedabad, Burhanpur, Petaboli, Madras, Pondicherry, Nagapattnam, etc.
(b) Places where check and striped cloth was manufactured. (Page 143)
Answer:
Check and stripes cloth was manufactured at places such as Lahore, Sarhind, Calcutta, Ahmedabad, Burhanpur, Madras and Pandicherry, etc.
(c) Places where chintz (printed) cloth was manufactured. (Page 143)
Answer:
Chintz cloth was manufactured at places such as Samana, Patna, Dhaka, Kalkutta, Patan, Sironj, Burhanpur, Petaboli and Madras.
(d) Places where silk was produced. (Page 143)
Answer:
Silk was produced in India at places such as Banaras, Patan and Ahmadabad.
Question 5.
Discuss why India imported less during ancient times? (Page 144)
Answer:
India imported less goods during ancient times because at that time other countries were lagging behind with industrial point of view while India was rich in resources.
Question 6.
Prepare a list of commodities of ancient India which were in demand in other countries. (Page 146)
Answer:
Following is the list of commodities of ancient India which were in demand in other countries-
Muslin, chintz and embroidered cloth, iron and steel products, tobacco, indigo, shawls, silk and silken clothes, hot spices, etc.
Question 7.
Looking at the following map, indicate the sea and land routes which connected India to other countries. (Page 147)
Answer:
Following were the sea and land routes which connected India to the other countries:
Sea Routes
- India was connected with the Bay of Persia and the Red Sea through Surat port (Gujarat).
- India was connected with the south-eastern Asian ports through Machhlipattanam and Hugli (Bengal).
- India was connected to other countries through the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea.
Land Routes
- Through Lahore (Punjab), India was connected with Armenia and France travelling through Afghanistan, Eastern Persia and Central Asia.
Question 8.
During ancient times, many goods from India were in demand in foreign countries. Mark these countries on the map. (Page 148)
Answer:
In ancient times, Indian goods were in great demand in foreign countries. Such countries included Malacca, Canton, Muskat, Alexendria, etc.
Question 9.
Head exciting sea journeys in different books and collect them with the help of your teacher and parents. (Page 148)
Answer:
Incidents of various exciting sea journeys have been described in several books. In one book, we get information about Gulliver’s unique travel and details about the Lilliputians The journey conducted by Vasco de Gama for the discovery of Indian subcontinent and the West Indies was full of the adventures of the sea. The journey conducted by Christopher Columbus while prior to his discovery of America was also full of various adventurous incidents.
Study and Tell (Page 145)
Question 1.
What are Northern and Southern routes?
Answer:
Routes which connect places in Northern India are known as Northern routes and routes which connect places in Southern India are known as Southern routes.
Question 2.
Differentiate between domestic and international trade. (Page 145)
Answer:
Domestic Trade – Trade done within the boundaries of a country is known as domestic trade.
International Trade – Trade done between two or more than two countries is known as international trade or more than two.
Question 3.
Which route was used to reach Bulkh in Asia? (Page 145)
Answer:
The route used to reach Bulkh in Asia proceeded from Afghanistan through Kabul.
Textbook Exercise
Question 1.
Who gave the following statements?
i. An Indian farmer is as good as an English farmer and in certain matters he is better than the English farmer.
ii. When uncivilized people lived in Western Europe, India was famous for the ruler’s opulent lifestyle and superior craftsmanship of the people.
iii. Gold is flowing out of Roman Empire due to the excessive use of Indian goods.
Answer:
i – Dr. Voileker (1889 AD)
ii – Report of Industries Commission (1916)
iii – Plini.
Question 2.
Fill in the blanks
1. A lot of goods were exported from India and ……………… were received as payment.
2. Cultivation of ………………………. started in India, centuries before it started in England.
3. India was far ahead as compared to Europe in the art of making …………………… .
4. Iron casting furnaces of Moreyan era have been found in ………………….. .
5. ……………… were received in India from Ethiopia.
Answer:
1. gold and silver
2. wheat
3. sea vessels
4. Ishwal (Udaipur)
5. Ivory and gold.
Question 3.
Name the goods and articles exported from India during ancient times.
Answer:
In ancient times, muslin, chintz and embroidered cloth, iron and steel products, tobacco, indigo, shawls, silk and silken cloth and hot spices, etc. were various goods and articles which were exported from India.
Question 4.
What do you mean by domestic and international trade? With which countries did India have trade links during the ancient times?
Answer:
- Domestic Trade – Trade done within the boundaries of a country is known as domestic trade.
- International Trade – Trade done between two or more than two countries is known as international trade. In ancient times, international trade of India was conducted with countries such as Babylon, Egypt, Java, Sumatra and Rome, etc.
Question 5.
What do you mean by Northern and Southern routes? Which places were covered through the Northern route?
Answer:
Northern and Southern routes refer to the routes which were used for Indian domestic trade. Places which were covered through the Northern route included Tamralipty (western region of Bengal), Patliputra, Vaishali, Kushinagar, Shravasti, Hastinapur, Punjab, Delhi, Himalayan foothills, Kashmir Valley, Taxila, Pushkalawati (present Peshawar in Pakistan), Afghanistan, Kabul and Bulkh, etc. respectively.
Question 6.
Which are the routes covered in the Southern route?
Answer:
Routes covered in the Southern route include Paithan, Maheshwar (on the banks of river Narmada), Ujjain, Gonandha (land of the Gonds), Bhilsa, Kosam, Saket (Ayodhya), Shravasti, Setanya, Kapilvastu, Pawapuri, Bhogngara, Vaishali and Rajgrih, etc. respectively.
Question 7.
Mark Northern and Southern routes on the map of India.
Answer:
Following are the Northern and Southern routes marked on the map of India
Other Important Questions
Objective Type Questions
Question 1.
Which country was called ‘The Golden Bird’?
(a) India
(b) England
(c) Rome
(d) Java
Answer:
(a) India
Question 2.
The world learnt about the technique of farming from-
(a) England
(b) Africa
(c) India
(d) Sumatra
Answer:
(c) India
Question 3.
Muslin sarees of which place were world famous?
(a) Banaras
(b) Mathura
(c) Punjab
(d) Dhaka
Answer:
(d) Dhaka
Question 4.
India used to export copper to foreign countries from which place?
(a) Khetri (Rajasthan)
(b) Punjab
(c) Mewar (Rajasthan)
(d) Central India
Answer:
(a) Khetri (Rajasthan)
Question 5.
Which Indian commodity was in great demand in Europe?
(a) Sea vessels
(b) Gold
(c) Black pepper
(d) Horses
Answer:
(c) Black pepper
Fill in the blanks
1. During ancient times, India was known as …………. .
2. In Greece, muslin from Dhaka was sold by the name of …………….. .
3. ………. was exported from Mewar.
4. In ancient times, and were Indian goods which dominated the international market.
5. A lot of trade was conducted with south-eastern ports through …………….. in Bengal.
Answer:
1. A Golden Bird
2. Gangatika
3. Zinc iv- silk, cotton
4. Hugli
Match Column A with Column B
| I Column A | Column B |
| i. White cloth | a. Sironj |
| ii. Check and striped cloth | b. Banaras |
| iii. Chintz (printed cotton cloth) | c. Lahore |
| iv. Silk | d. Nagapattnam |
Answer:
i – d
ii – c
iii – a
iv – b
| II Column A (Place) | Column B (Goods obtained) |
| i. Central India | a. Copper |
| ii. Khetri (Rajasthan) | b. Muslin |
| iii. Mewar (Rajasthan) | c. Wood for making ships |
| iv. Dhaka | d. Zinc |
Answer:
i – c
ii – a
iii – d
iv – b
Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Which was the major occupation of people in ancient India?
Answer:
Agriculture and its allied activities were the major occupations of people in ancient India.
Question 2.
The English people were surprised to see the progress of which sector in India?
Answer:
The English people were surprised to see progress in agricultural sector in India.
Question 3.
Indian clothes were in demand in which foreign countries?
Answer:
Indian clothes were in demand in south-eastern Asia (Java, Sumatra, etc.) and in western and Central Asian countries.
Question 4.
‘Indians have known the art of iron molding since times immemorial.” Who made this statement?
Answer:
“Indians have known the art of iron molding since time immemorial.” This statement was made by Wilson.
Question 5.
Egypt imported clothes from India. This is evident by which fact?
Answer:
Egypt imported clothes from India. This is evident from the fact that mummies made by the Egyptians in Egypt were covered with Indian muslin cloth.
Question 6.
From which places did traders load goods in boats and carry it to Tamoralipty (Bengal)?
Answer:
Traders loaded goods in boats from places named Champa and Mithila and carried it to Tamralipty (Bengal).
Question 7.
At which places had ancient Indian traders established their colonies in foreign countries?
Answer:
Ancient Indian traders established their colonies in foreign countries at places such as Suwarndeep (Sumatra), Kamboj, Indo-China and Hindesia (according to Chinese writers).
Question 8.
After the discovery of sea route to India by foreign traders, which western companies started conducting trade with India?
Answer:
After the discovery of sea route to India by foreign traders, French, Dutch and British companies started conducting trade with India.
Question 9.
The Iron Pillar of Delhi is an example of what?
Answer:
The Iron Pillar erected in the Qutab Minar complex in Delhi (Mehrauli) is an example of the superior quality delivered by the ancient iron and steel industry of India.
Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Earlier, India was a ‘Golden Bird’, then why did it decline later?
Answer:
India which is known as a ‘Golden Bird’ has been severely looted by many invaders. Especially the English people had destroyed the Indian economy to such an extent that it declined later.
Question 2.
At which places were cottage and large industries established? What were their functions?
Answer:
Cottage and large industries were respectively established in villages and towns. The function of cottage industries was to fulfil the local demand and the function of large industries was to fulfil the demand of extended large markets.
Question 3.
Write two sentences on the shipping industry of India.
Answer:
Following are two sentences on the shipping industry of India:
- Till the beginning of the nineteenth century, shipping industry of India was more developed as compared to England.
- Indian ships were not only advanced with quality point of view, but they were also in a developed condition with the point of view of quantity of goods loaded.
Question 4.
Into how many parts was the Southern Route divided?
Answer:
The Southern Route was mainly divided into two parts- one direction went from Paithan in Maharashtra to places in Bihar. The second direction passed from Paithan to Ujjain and Gonandha in Madhya Pradesh, going up to Rajgrih.
Question 5.
Write a short note on the condition of Indian agriculture.
Answer:
Condition of Indian agriculture – Agriculture was the major occupation of people in ancient India. It is assumed that the world learnt about the technique of farming from India. The Indian farmers had started cultivating wheat many centuries earlier than England and Europe. The English scholars have also appreciated the farming skills of Indian farmers. Indian agriculture was in a very advanced condition as compared to other countries. Money for people and raw material for industries was derived from agriculture in abundant amount. Indian agricultural products were in high demand in foreign countries.
Question 6.
Describe the metal industry of ancient India.
Answer:
Indian Metal Industry- Indian metal industry was in a very developed condition. Brass, copper and tin utensils were made at all places. At that time, manufacturing of gold and silver jewellery was a major occupation. The Iron Pillar standing in the Qutab Minar complex in Delhi (Mehrauli) was built almost 1500 years ago and it is an excellent example of the metal (iron) industry of India as it has not rusted even after so many years.
Question 7.
Prepare a list of goods exported from the eastern, western and southern ports of India.
Answer:
Following is the list of goods exported from the eastern, western and southern ports of India-
- Eastern Ports – Muslin, pearls, ivory, tej patra.
- Western Ports – Black pepper, silken clothes, ornaments, ivory, tejpatra, precious stones.
- Southern Ports – Muslin, pearls, semi-precious stones.
Question 8.
Which were the major centres of weaving in India during the end of the eighteenth century?
Answer:
During the end of the eighteenth century, the major centres of weaving in India included Lahore, Punjab, Sarhind, Samana, Agra, Awadh, Delhi, Jaipur, Sanganer, Sindh, Patan, Ahmadabad, Surat, Sironj, Burhanpur, Banaras, Patna, Dhaka, Calcutta, Machlipatnam, Petaboli, Pulikat, Madras, Pondicherry, Nagapattnam, Tanjore, Madurai, Calicut, Goa, Golkunda, Bombay, etc.
Question 9.
Write a brief note on the international trade in ancient India.
Answer:
In ancient times, international trade was in developed condition in India. Indian traders used to export muslin, chintz, embroidered clothes, indigo, hot spices, and various other goods to foreign countries and obtained ornaments, gold and silver in the form of payment. Silk cloth was exported to Rome, black pepper was exported to Europe, copper, sandal wood and teak wood was exported to the towns situated on the southern coast of Bay of Persia.
Demand for silk clothes, embroidered clothes, and Indian goods made of metals was always there in central eastern countries and horses were the major items of import from foreign countries. Apart from this, India used to obtain ivory and gold from Africa. India used to conduct international trade in abundance mainly with countries such as Babylon, Egypt, Java, Sumatra and Rome.
Question 10.
Throw light on the situation of ancient foreign trade routes.
Answer:
Following is the description of ancient foreign trade routes:
- Armenian and Persian traders used the route through Punjab, Afghanistan, East Persia and Central Asia for trading.
- India was connected with the countries of the middle-east and the eastern sea through the sea port at Surat in Gujarat.
- Ports at Machalipatnam and Coromandal Coast and Hugli in the Bay of Bengal connected India to South Asian countries.
- India conducted trade with Arab countries mainly through land routes and through sea routes via Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea.
Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Write a note on the textile industry of India.
Answer:
In around 1750 AD, India was a major country of cotton production in the entire world Indian clothes were world famous for their quality and fine craftsmanship across the world. These clothes were in huge demand in south-eastern Asia (Java, Sumatra, etc.) and in Western and Central Asia. Fine cloth of cotton and silk, especially the muslin sarees from Dhaka were in huge demand in the world. Cotton clothes of Bengal were exported by European companies in large quantities.
In India, Bengal was the major centre of cotton and silken cloth, and outside Bengal- Lucknow, Ahmadabad, Nagpur and Mathura also were major centres of cotton textile. Before the arrival of the English in India, the cotton textile industry of India was leading at international level. India has been conducting trade with various countries of the world even before 2000 BC. Muslin cloth produced by Indian textile industry was wrapped on the Mummies in Egypt and Indian cloth was sold by the name of Gangatika in Greece, which proves the fact that Indian textile industry was at its height at that time.
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