NCERT HISTORY CLASS - VI
CHAPTER-VII PART-I
TOOLS AND IRRIGATION
Around 3000 years ago, the usage of iron tools began. A large collection of iron tools were found in some megalithic burial sites. After 500 years from that iron, tools become very useful for cleaning the forests, increasing the agricultural productions and many. But now we take it for granted and it plays a vital role in all our daily lives. Many irrigation programs were developed. Like now, then to kingdoms were mostly dependent on the flourishing villages and farmlands. The new farm tools and new methods of transplantation increased production. Many canals, tanks, wells, lakes were built to increase irrigation.
PEOPLE IN VILLAGES
There are mostly three kinds of people living in the villages, both south and north part of the subcontinent. They are all classified by their birth, possessions, and many.
IN SOUTH (Tamil region),
- Vellalar - The large landowners.
- Uzhavar - Ordinary plowman.
- Kadaisiyar and Adimai - Landless labors and slaves.
IN NORTH,
- Grama Bhojaka (The village headman) - A great landlord of the village, collects taxes for the king, making a judgment, protecting people. The most powerful person and all in one for villages.
- Grihapatis - Independent farmers having small farmlands.
- Dasa Karmakara - Having no land but, earn through working in other farmlands.
TAMIZH SANGAM
Around 2300 years ago, Sangam literature was composed, It is one of the earliest works in Tamil composition. These texts were called Sangam because it is all composed and complied in assemblies (Sangam) of many poets held in the city of Madurai.
Many literary works were done here at different periods of time. These Sangams took the pride and the beauty of Tamil all over the world.
STORY OF BARYGAZA
The gulf near Barygaza is very narrow and very hard to navigate for ships coming from distant places. so, the king makes a selection and appoints very talented and local fishermen to steer the ships. The important imports were wine, copper, tin, lead, coral, gold, and silver coins. The exports from many towns were ivory, agate, cotton, silk, and perfumes. Also many beautiful women, silvers, singing boys, fine clothes were gifted to the kings by merchants.
COINS
At first, trade happens through the exchange of products. Everyone buys some products in the change of thing what they have. At that time bargaining took place and many quarrels arise, so the system of coins was introduced. From then the wealth of a person is measured in terms of coins. Archaeologists found many coins belonging to different periods of time. Around 500 years ago, punched coins were in use. Generally, they were in rectangle, square, round, or sometimes shapeless and flattened. They were not inscribed, mostly punched with symbols called punch-marked coins.