Chapter-8 VITAL VILLAGES THRIVING TOWNS

1. Describe the functions of the grambhojka. Why do you think he was powerful?

Explanation:

In addition to serving as the village chief, Gramabhojaka occasionally held the title of greatest landowner. They were influential villagers who served as judges, collected taxes from the populace on behalf of the king, and upheld the king's laws within the community.

2. List the crafts persons who would have been present in both villages and cities.

Explanation:

Blacksmiths, weavers, carpenters, and potters were among the skilled artisans who worked in both towns and cities. They were essential in supplying the commodities and services needed to keep any settlement running well.

3. Which of the iron tools shown on page 79 (of the NCERT textbook) would have been important for agriculture? What would the other tools have been used for?

Explanation:

According to the images below, the three iron implements on page 79 are tongs, axes, and sickles, respectively. The axe and sickle would have been crucial for felling trees and gathering fuel, respectively, while the tongs would have been used by a blacksmith to shape molten iron into implements.


4. Compare the drainage system in your locality with that of the cities mentioned in the lesson. What similarities and differences do you notice?

Explanation:

The drainage system in our area is a more modern iteration of the drainage system employed by earlier civilizations. They were made in the past from thatch, ceramics, and mud bricks. The materials were not strong and might collapse upon repeated use, which was a negative. Modern drainage systems are constructed of strong materials like metal and concrete. But, much like in the past, drainage is created by a number of rings stacked on top of one another. Also created is a tube-like structure out of the rings. These are the parallels that we can see now.

5. If you have seen craftspersons at work, describe in a short paragraph what they do. (Hint: How do they get the raw materials, what kind of equipment do they use, how do they work and what happens to the finished product.

Explanation:

Throughout the cities and villages, I have seen artisans like carpenters and bootmakers. Cobblers are a typical sight and may be seen sitting on practically every street corner of the city. They repair shoes by glueing the flapping sole or repairing the damaged leather. To sell locally or in urban marketplaces for a decent price, people in villages make leather slippers and shoes by hand.



7. What do you know about punch-marked coins?

Explanation:

Due to the designs being punched into the metal, such as silver or copper, the early coins were known as punch-marked coins.

8. What do you know about Arikamedu?

Explanation:

Aricamedu was a coastal town where ships unloaded cargo from far-off regions between 2200 and 1900 years ago.

9. What steps were taken to increase agricultural production?

Explanation:

Axes and iron ploughshares were among the first implements made of iron. For example, the ploughshare was useful for boosting agricultural output while axes were employed to clear forests. Irrigation was employed in addition to these new instruments for this activity. During this time, irrigation projects like canals, wells, tanks, and man-made lakes were constructed.

10. Who was the grama bhojaka? Write about him in brief.

Explanation:

In the northern region of the nation, the village headman was known as the grama bhojaka. His position was inherited. He was the greatest landowner in the community, and he employed labourers and maintained slaves to work the land. For the king, he gathered taxes from the village. He served as a judge and occasionally a police officer