NCERT Explained: Class VII History, Chapter 6 - Towns, Traders and Craftsperson

Introduction to the Topic

Welcome to NCERT Explained: Class VII History, Chapter 6 - Towns, Traders and Craftsperson! When we think of history, we often imagine ancient kings ruling from massive forts and vast empires fighting legendary battles. But what was life like away from the battlefields? How did people earn a living? Where did merchants sell their goods, and how were magnificent temples and bustling bazaars sustained? In this chapter, we take a fascinating journey into the medieval period of Indian history to explore the vibrant world of towns, the ingenuity of craftspersons, and the networks of local and international traders who connected distant lands.

Understanding the evolution of towns helps us see how societies develop economically and culturally. During the medieval period under various dynasties like the Cholas, towns emerged in different forms based on their functions. Some were administrative centers, some were thriving temple towns, and others were bustling commercial hubs or port cities. Let us dive deep into the types of towns that shaped medieval India and understand the mechanisms of trade that laid the foundation for modern commerce.

Key Concepts Explained

To understand the urban landscape of medieval India, we must first look at how historians classify different towns based on their primary functions. A single town could perform multiple roles, but usually, it grew around a specific central activity.

1. Administrative Centers

Administrative towns were the seats of political power. Kings and emperors established their capitals to manage their vast empires effectively. A brilliant example of this is Thanjavur, the capital of the Chola dynasty, which flourished a thousand years ago. The perennial river Kaveri flows near this beautiful town. Imagine the hustle and bustle: royal processions, officials discussing tax collection, soldiers marching, and architects planning massive structures. The famous Rajarajeshwara temple was built in Thanjavur by king Rajaraja Chola, showcasing not only religious devotion but also the immense political and financial power concentrated in an administrative capital.

2. Temple Towns and Pilgrimage Centres

Religion was a massive driving force in medieval economies. Kings built large temples to demonstrate their devotion and to legitimize their rule. These temples were endowed with wealth in the form of land and money. Consequently, a large number of priests, workers, garland makers, cooks, sweepers, musicians, and dancers lived near the temple. Thus, temple towns rapidly grew around these religious epicenters. Examples include Bhilai in later contexts, but historically, towns like Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Somnath in Gujarat, Kanchipuram and Madurai in Tamil Nadu, and Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh became massive pilgrimage centers. Pilgrims who visited these towns made donations, which further boosted the local economy.

3. A Network of Small Towns

From the eighth century onwards, the Indian subcontinent saw the emergence of numerous small towns. These usually had a mandapika (or market street) to which nearby villagers brought their produce to sell. There were also market streets called haat lined with shops. Different kinds of artisans and traders—such as potters, oil pressers, sugar makers, makers of toddy, smiths, and stonemasons—lived and worked here. While some traders lived in these towns, others traveled from town to town. Many merchants, such as the famous Chettiars and the Marwari Oswals, went on to trade far and wide, trading even in ports of the Red Sea and Southeast Asia.

4. Craftspersons of Bidar and Ahmedabad

Crafts in medieval India achieved incredible heights of perfection and beauty. The craftspersons of Bidar (in modern-day Karnataka) were renowned for their inlay work in copper and silver, a craft that came to be known as Bidri. The goldsmiths, bronze smiths, and stonemasons of South India created breathtaking idols of deities using the lost-wax technique. Meanwhile, the weaver communities, such as the Saliyar or Kaikkolars, emerged as prosperous groups, donating frequently to temples. Cotton textiles, silk, metal crafts, and carpets became major export items, attracting European trading companies in later centuries.

5. Important Ports and Global Trade

Trade was not just domestic; India had robust maritime trade connections with West Asia, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Ports on the western coast, such as Surat, Cambay (Khambhat), and Ahmedabad, were buzzing gateways of international commerce. Surat, in Gujarat, was called the gate to Mecca because many pilgrim ships set sail from here. Textiles with wide markets in West Asia and Europe were sold here. Similarly, on the eastern coast, towns like Masulipatnam (Machilipatnam) on the delta of the Krishna river were bustling centers of trade, famous for Kalamkari textiles.

Summary & Key Takeaways

Here are the key points to remember from this chapter:

• Diverse Urban Centers: Towns in medieval India were categorized based on their functions, such as administrative capitals, temple towns, commercial hubs, and port cities.
• Thanjavur: A prime example of an administrative and temple town under the Chola dynasty.
• Economic Role of Temples: Temples were economic hubs that supported thousands of artisans, priests, and workers, leading to the growth of temple towns.
• Trade Networks: A complex network of small markets (mandis and haats) connected villages to towns, while long-distance traders traveled across continents.
• Exquisite Craftsmanship: Indian textiles, metal crafts like Bidri work, and bronze sculptures gained worldwide fame, turning towns like Surat and Bidar into major economic powerhouses.