NCERT Class 6 History Vital Villages Thriving Towns

CHAPTER 9

VITAL VILLAGES, THRIVING TOWNS

Prabhakar at the blacksmith’s shop

Prabhakar sat watching the smiths at the local shop. There was a small bench on which iron tools like axes and sickles were laid out, ready for sale. A bright fire was burning, and two men were heating and beating metal rods into shape. It was very hot and noisy, and yet it was fascinating to watch what was happening.

Iron tools and agriculture

We often take the use of iron for granted today. Things made of iron (and steel) are a part of our daily lives. The use of iron began in the subcontinent around 3000 years ago. Some of the largest collections of iron tools and weapons were found in the megalithic burials, about which you read in Chapter 5.

Around 2500 years ago, there is evidence for the growing use of iron tools. These included axes for clearing forests, and the iron ploughshare. As we had seen (Chapter 6) the ploughshare was useful for increasing agricultural production.

Other steps to increase production: irrigation

The kings and kingdoms you have been reading about could not have existed without the support of flourishing villages. While new tools and the system of transplantation (Chapter 6) increased production, irrigation was also used. Irrigation works that were built during this time included canals, wells, tanks, and artificial lakes. If you look at the chart, you will find that some of the stages in the construction of irrigation works are mentioned.

Fill in the rest by using the following phrases:

• Labour is provided by the people.

• Farmers also benefit because crop production is more certain.

• Farmers have to increase production to pay taxes.

• Kings provide money and plan irrigation works.

Let’s recall

1. Fill in the blanks:

(a) ———————— was a word used for large landowners in Tamil.

(b) The gramabhojaka often got his land cultivated by the ————————

(c) Ploughmen were known as ———————— in Tamil.

(d) Most grihapatis were ———————— landowners.

2. Describe the functions of the gramabhojaka. Why do you think he was powerful?

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

4. Choose the correct answer:

(a) Ring wells were used for:

1. bathing            2. washing clothes

3. irrigation          4. drainage

(b) Punch marked coins were made of:

1. silver               2. gold

3. tin                   4. ivory

c) Mathura was an important:

1. village              2. port

3. religious centre 4. forested area

(d) Shrenis were associations of:

1. rulers               2. crafts persons

3. farmers            4. herders

Let’s discuss

5. Which of the iron tools shown on page 87 would have been important for agriculture? What would the other tools have been used for?

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

Please refer to attached file for NCERT Class 6 History Vital Villages, Thriving Towns