Traders, Kings and Pilgrims NCERT Exercise Solution

Match Columns

Answer: (a) 5, (b) 3, (c) 2, (d) 1, (e) 4

Question 1: Why did kings want to control the Silk Route?

Answer: The kings wanted to control the Silk Route to protect the traders. This was done with the aim of ensuring a flourishing trade. The flourishing trade could ensure good tax collection and collection of tributes. Hence, the kings wanted to control the Silk Route.

Question 2: What kinds of evidence do historians use to find out about trade and trade routes?

Answer: Historians look for various items of trade. If a particular item comes out to be from a distant land, this shows the existence of trade relations with that part of the world.

Historians also look for coins which tell a lot about history. If coins from a distant land is discovered at a place, it is taken as a proof of trade from the distant land.

Historians also look into accounts of traders and pilgrims. Many traders and pilgrims have written copiously about the society and culture of a place visited by them.

Question 3: What were the main features of Bhakti?

Answer: Following are the main features of Bhakti:

1. This was the result of people’s struggle to free the religion from control of the priests.
2. A person was free to choose his ways and means to worship a god.
3. Pure devotion to a deity was most important aspect.
4. Any object could be used as a symbol of the god.

Question 4: Discuss the reasons why the Chinese pilgrims came to India.

Answer: The Chinese pilgrims were mainly interested in exploring about Buddha and Buddhism. Hence, they came to India.

Question 5: Why do you think ordinary people were attracted to Bhakti?

Answer: The Bhakti movement gave freedom of choice to ordinary people. They could worship any god by any method they wished. There was no need for elaborate rituals. The temple was no longer the only place of worship. Easier rules attracted people to Bhakti.

Extra Questions:

Question 1: Which spice was also known as Black Gold?

Answer: Black Pepper

Question 2: Which city was the capital of the Pandya rulers?

Answer: Madurai

Question 3: Which city was the capital of the Chola rulers?

Answer: Kaveripattinam

Question 4: Kushanas were very powerful in which part of India?

Answer: North-west India

Question 5: Buddhacharita was written by whom?

Answer: Ashvaghosha

Question 6: What do you understand by a pilgrim?

Answer: A traveler who undertakes a journey for religious purpose is called a pilgrim.

Question 7: What was Silk Route?

Answer: The ancient trade route through which the silk traders traveled from China to other parts of the world is called Silk Route.

Question 8: Who was called a Bodhisattva?

Answer: A person who attained enlightenment was called a Bodhisattva.

Question 9: Name some poets of the Bhakti movement.

Answer: Meera, Surdas, Tulsidas, Rahim and Kabir

Question 10: What were the key aspects of the Mahayana Buddhism?

Answer: The Mahayana Buddhism had two distinct features; which are as follows:

1. In the earlier form of Buddhism, Buddha was depicted by certain signs and symbols. In the new form, statues of Buddha were also made.
2. Earlier; a Bodhisattva was supposed to live a life of isolation to meditate in peace. But now, they remained along with the people to teach them. The worship of Bodhisattva became very popular.

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