TRADERS KINGS AND PILGRIMS

 

1	Match the Following-
	1.    Muvendar               =         Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas 2.    Lords of the Dakshinapatha   =   Satavahana ruler 3.    Ashvaghosha           =      Buddhacharita 4.    Bodhisattvas           =      Mahayana Buddhism 5.    Xuan Zang              =   Chinese pilgrim
2	Why did kings want to control the Silk Route?
	Ø Kings wanted to control the Silk Route because they could benefit from taxes, tributes and gifts that were brought by traders and the people along the route.
3	What kinds of evidence do historians use to find out about trade and trade routes?
	Ø Northern Black Polished Ware: information about bowls and plates which were found from several sites throughout the subcontinent. Ø Sangam poems: Here is one example which describes the goods brought into Puhar an important port on the east coast: Ø Many Roman gold coins have been found in south India. These coins are considered great proofs of trade relations between ancient India and Roman empire.
4	What were the main features of Bhakti?
	Ø Bhakti is generally understood as a person’s devotion to his or her chosen deity. Ø The idea of Bhakti is present in the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred book of the Hindus. Ø Bhakti emphasized devotion and individual worship of a single god or goddess. Ø Deities who were worshipped through Bhakti included Shiva, Vishnu and goddesses such as Durga.
5	Discuss the reasons why the Chinese pilgrims came to India?
	ü The Chinese pilgrims (Fa-Xian, Xuan Zang and I-Qing) came to India to visit places associated with the life and teachings of the Buddha as well as famous monasteries. ü They had in Buddhist religious books also. They carried some books back with them.
6	How do you think wars affect the lives of ordinary people today?
	Ø They are killed in a large number. Ø Their property-houses, shops, etc. are destroyed. Ø Wars create violence and disturbances in society. Ø Wars waste economic and other resources. The government generally imposed more taxes on the people.
7	Why do you think ordinary people were attracted to Bhakti?
	v I think that ordinary people were attracted to Bhakti because Bhakt-saint used the language of people, which they could understand easily. v The saints emphasized the worship of certain deities, which became a central feature of later Hinduism, gained in importance. v Anybody, whether rich or poor, belonging to the so called ‘high’ or ‘low’ castes, man or woman, could follow the path of Bhakti.
8	List five things that you buy from the market. Which of these are made in the city/village in which you live and which are brought by traders from other areas?