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 __________.

(d) Most grihapatis were __________ landowners. 

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

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

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

Which of the iron tools shown on page 79 would have been important for agriculture? What would the other tools have been used for?

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

If you have seen crafts persons 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, what happens to the finished product).

List the functions performed by men and women who live in your city or village. In what ways are these similar to those performed by people who lived in Mathura? In what ways are they different?