Chapter-6: Towns, traders and craftspersons

These NCERT Class 7 History Chapter 6 notes explain how towns developed in medieval India due to the growth of trade, craft production and administration. The chapter shows how towns became centres of economic activity where goods, money and people moved regularly.

Towns, Traders and Craftspersons introduces different types of towns such as administrative towns, temple towns, commercial towns and port towns. It also explains the role of traders, merchants, artisans and guilds in organising production and trade.

This chapter helps students understand the link between urbanisation, trade networks and economic life in medieval India.

1. Introduction

• Medieval India saw the growth of towns due to expanding trade, craft production and administration.
• Towns became centres where money, goods and people moved regularly.
• Rulers and officials used towns to manage governance and revenue.
• Traders and artisans depended on towns for markets and customers.
• Urban life connected rural areas with long-distance trade networks.

2. Types of towns

• Administrative towns functioned as centres of governance like Delhi, Agra and Lahore.
• Temple towns developed around major temples such as Thanjavur and Madurai.
• Commercial towns grew as centres of trade and markets like Surat, Cambay (Khambhat) and Masulipatnam.
• Port towns linked India with overseas trade through Calicut, Cochin and Surat.
• Each type of town served a specific economic or administrative role.

3. Role of traders and merchants

• Traders included Indian merchants as well as foreign merchants.
• Important trading goods were spices, cotton textiles, silk and indigo.
• Trade was carried out through land routes using caravans.
• Sea routes connected India with regions across the Indian Ocean.
• Long-distance trade increased wealth and urban growth.
• A caravan was a group of traders travelling together for safety and trade.

4. Craftspersons and production

• Craftspersons were skilled workers producing goods by hand.
• Important crafts included weaving, metalwork, pottery and carpentry.
• Craftsmen lived in specific localities within towns.
• Kings and temples often supported craft production.
• High-quality goods were made for local use and export.
• Weavers produced fine cotton cloth that was traded overseas.

5. Guilds and organisation

• Guilds were associations of traders or craftspersons.
• They controlled the quality of goods produced and sold.
• Guilds regulated prices in the market.
• Training of new members was organised by guilds.
• Guilds protected the interests of their members.
• They helped maintain order and fairness in trade.

6. Case study: Surat

• Surat was a major port on the western coast of India.
• It connected India with Africa, West Asia and Europe.
• European traders like the Portuguese, Dutch and English were present.
• Surat was famous for exporting cotton textiles and spices.
• The city became a centre of international trade.
• Wealth from trade made Surat an important urban centre.

7. European trading companies

• European trading companies included the Portuguese, Dutch and English.
• They set up trading centres in Indian port towns.
• These companies controlled important sea routes.
• They gradually influenced Indian trade patterns.
• European presence increased competition among merchants.
• This period marked the beginning of European commercial power in India.

8. Life in towns

• Towns had diverse social groups like merchants, artisans, labourers and religious scholars.
• Markets were central places of economic activity.
• Mosques and temples served religious needs of people.
• Residential areas were built near markets and workplaces.
• Town life was more diverse than village life.
• Urban centres encouraged cultural and economic exchange.

9. Important places and dates

• The 16th–17th century witnessed rapid growth of trade towns.
• Surat emerged as a leading international port.
• Calicut played a major role in spice trade.
• Masulipatnam became an important trading centre on the eastern coast.
• These towns linked India with global trade networks.

10. Important keywords

• Town refers to an urban centre of trade and administration.
• Merchant is a person involved in buying and selling goods.
• Craftsperson is a skilled worker who produces goods by hand.
• Guild is an association of traders or artisans.
• Caravan is a group of traders travelling together.
• Port town is a town connected with sea trade.

Understanding NCERT Class 7 History Chapter 6 is important to learn how economic activities shaped towns and urban life in medieval India. The chapter clearly explains the contribution of traders, craftspersons, ports and European trading companies to the growth of commerce.

The ideas discussed in Towns, Traders and Craftspersons help students connect economic history with social change and are highly useful for school exams and BPSC foundation preparation.

Continue reading NCERT Class 7 History Chapter 7 – Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities to understand how different social groups lived alongside settled agricultural societies.

FAQs

Q1. Why did towns grow in medieval India?
Towns grew due to the expansion of trade, craft production and administration.

Q2. What were port towns?
Port towns were towns connected with sea trade that linked India with overseas markets.

Q3. Who were craftspersons?
Craftspersons were skilled workers involved in activities like weaving, metalwork and pottery.

Q4. What were guilds?
Guilds were associations of traders or artisans that regulated quality, prices and training.

Q5. Why is this chapter important for exams?
It explains medieval economic life and urban growth, making it important for school exams and BPSC foundation preparation.