Towns, Traders, and Craftspersons Class 7 History Notes

Diverse Types of Towns in Medieval India

Medieval India saw the emergence and growth of various kinds of towns, each serving distinct purposes and contributing to the era's economic and cultural landscape. Understanding these categories is fundamental to grasping the chapter's essence.

• Administrative Centres: These towns were the seats of power for kings and emperors. They housed royal courts, armies, and administrative staff. Thanjavur (under the Cholas) is a prime example. It was not just a political hub but also a centre of architectural marvels like the Rajeshwara Temple. Life in such towns revolved around the monarch's presence, with palaces, barracks, and markets catering to the royal household and administration. Decisions made here impacted vast territories, making them crucial for governance and control.

• Temple Towns and Pilgrimage Centres: Temples were not just places of worship; they were also economic hubs. Rulers often endowed temples with land and money, making them wealthy institutions. Priests, workers, artisans, and traders settled around temples to serve the pilgrims and manage temple affairs. This led to the growth of temple towns. Somnath (Gujarat), Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh), and Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) are classic examples. These towns flourished due to religious tourism, donations, and the economic activities generated by pilgrims and temple staff. They often became significant commercial centres too, as pilgrims needed goods and services.

• Commercial Towns and Port Cities: These towns thrived on trade and commerce. They were strategically located along major trade routes or on coastlines, facilitating the exchange of goods. Surat (Gujarat) was a vital port city on the Arabian Sea, known for its textile trade, hundi (credit notes), and as an embarkation point for pilgrims to Mecca. Hampi (Karnataka), the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, was a bustling commercial and cultural centre, famous for its rich markets. Masulipatnam (Andhra Pradesh) was another important port and textile production centre on the Coromandel coast. These cities attracted merchants from across India and even from foreign lands, leading to a diverse and dynamic urban environment.

Key Definitions of Urban Life & Trade

Mandapika

A market street where traders sold their produce, also known as 'mandi' in later times.

Samanta

Feudatory chiefs or big landlords who often collected taxes and maintained armies for the king.

Hundi

A written order or bill of exchange used by traders for cashless transactions, facilitating long-distance trade.

Emporium

A commercial centre where goods from many different places are bought and sold, often a major trading hub.

Panchalas/Vishwakarmas

A community of artisans including goldsmiths, bronzesmiths, blacksmiths, masons, and carpenters, essential for temple and palace building.

Kaikolars

A community of weavers, particularly prominent in South India, known for their significant contribution to textile production.

Hinterland

The area or region lying beyond the coast or the banks of a river, from which products are brought to a port for export.

Traders and Trading Networks in Medieval India

Craftspersons and Guilds

Craft production was central to the urban economy, and skilled artisans played a vital role in creating wealth and beauty. Craftspersons often organized themselves into guilds, which were associations that protected their interests, regulated production, fixed prices, and provided training.

• Prominent Craft Communities:
• Panchalas or Vishwakarmas: This community encompassed goldsmiths, bronzesmiths, blacksmiths, masons, and carpenters. Their skills were crucial for building temples, palaces, tanks, and reservoirs, contributing significantly to architecture and infrastructure.
• Saliyar or Kaikolars: These were communities of weavers who produced a vast variety of textiles, from simple cotton to fine silks. Textile production was a major industry, and these weavers were highly skilled, supplying both domestic and international markets.
• Bidri: A unique craft, originating from Bidar, involved inlay work in copper and silver, creating distinctive metalware.

• Importance of Guilds: Guilds ensured quality control, trained apprentices, provided social security to members, and acted as a collective voice for artisans. They sometimes even functioned as banks, accepting deposits and lending money.

The Changing Fortunes of Towns: Hampi, Masulipatnam, and Surat

Must Remember Key Points

• Medieval towns served diverse functions: administrative, temple/pilgrimage, and commercial.
• Thanjavur was a major administrative and temple town under the Cholas.
• Temples were crucial economic centres, often accumulating wealth and fostering urbanisation around them.
• Indian textiles, especially cotton, were highly sought after in international markets.
• Banjara were nomadic traders specialized in transporting bulk goods.
• Hundi (bills of exchange) facilitated long-distance trade by reducing the need to carry cash.
• Panchalas/Vishwakarmas (artisans) and Saliyar/Kaikolars (weavers) were key craft communities.
• Craft guilds played a vital role in regulating production, training, and protecting artisans' interests.
• Surat was a major port and textile trading centre, known for its Hundis and as a gateway for Hajj pilgrims.
• The rise of European trading companies (Portuguese, Dutch, English, French) significantly altered India's trade landscape and led to the decline of some older ports while new ones (Bombay, Calcutta, Madras) emerged.

Exam Success Tip

When answering questions about towns, always categorize them first (administrative, temple, commercial). For traders and craftspersons, remember specific community names and their contributions. If asked about the decline of a town, link it to political events (e.g., fall of an empire), shifts in trade routes, or the influence of European powers. Use examples like Surat or Hampi to illustrate your points. Practice location-based questions if your map skills are being tested.

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: Name three types of towns that flourished in medieval India. A: Administrative centres, Temple towns, and Commercial towns.
• Q: What was a 'Hundi' and how was it useful for traders? A: A Hundi was a bill of exchange used for cashless transactions, making long-distance trade safer and more convenient by eliminating the need to carry large sums of money.
• Q: Which craft community was famous for inlay work in copper and silver? A: The Bidri craftspersons, originating from Bidar.
• Q: Give one reason for the decline of Surat as a major trading port. A: The decline of Surat was due to factors like the shift of trade to Bombay by the English East India Company, Maratha raids, and the general decline of the Mughal Empire.

Frequently Asked Questions