Chapter 8 – Vital villages, thriving towns

These NCERT Class 6 History Chapter 8 notes explain the development of villages and towns after the Harappan period. The chapter focuses on agriculture, craft production, trade, early towns, and the use of punch-marked coins, making it important for school exams and BPSC foundation preparation.

1. Background of the chapter

• After the Harappan period, new villages and towns began to develop.
• This development started around 2500 years ago.
• Growth took place due to agriculture, crafts, and trade.
• Villages played a crucial role in production.
• Towns emerged as centres of exchange and administration.

2. Vital villages

• Most people lived in villages.
• The main occupation of villagers was farming.
• Important crops grown included rice, wheat, and pulses.
• Agriculture was the backbone of village life.
• Villages supplied food to towns.

3. Irrigation

• Farmers mainly depended on rain for cultivation.
• Rivers were also an important source of water.
• In some regions, wells were used for irrigation.
• Tanks were constructed to store water.
• Irrigation helped increase agricultural production.

4. Taxes on villages

• Villagers had to give a share of their produce as tax.
• Some villagers provided labour to the king or landlord.
• Taxes were collected regularly.
• This helped rulers maintain their administration.
• Taxes also supported the army.

5. Thriving towns

• Towns grew as centres of craft production.
• They were important centres of trade.
• Towns also served as centres of administration.
• Towns were connected by roads.
• Rivers helped in transport and trade.

6. Craftpersons in towns

• Many craftspersons lived and worked in towns.
• Important crafts included pottery, weaving, and metal work.
• Craftspeople used iron, copper, gold, and silver.
• Skilled artisans produced goods for trade.
• Craft activities helped towns prosper.

7. Traders and trade

• Trade was carried out within India.
• Trade also took place with distant regions.
• Traders exchanged cloth, spices, and metal goods.
• Precious stones were also traded.
• Trade linked villages and towns.

8. Punch-marked coins

• Punch-marked coins were the earliest coins used in India.
• These coins were made of silver.
• They were stamped with symbols.
• These coins had no inscriptions.
• Punch-marked coins were used for about 500 years.

9. Important towns (Places)

• Ujjain was an important town.
• Taxila developed as a major centre.
• Mathura became a famous town.
• Pataliputra served as a capital city.
• These towns acted as trade and administrative centres.

10. Ring wells

• Ring wells were found in many towns.
• They were made by placing pots one over another.
• Ring wells were used as toilets.
• They also served as drains.
• Some ring wells were used as garbage dumps.

11. Life in towns

• Towns had markets for buying and selling goods.
• They had houses for residents.
• Workshops were set up for crafts.
• Towns depended on villages for food supply.
• Village–town relationship was very important.

12. Important keywords

• Village refers to a rural settlement.
• Town is an urban settlement.
• Craftsperson makes goods by hand.
• Trader buys and sells goods.
• Punch-marked coin was an early form of currency.

13. Important dates (NCERT focus)

• Growth of towns started about 2500 years ago.
• Punch-marked coins were used for about 500 years.
• These dates explain early economic development.
• They show growth of trade and towns.
• Dates help in understanding historical changes.

14. Why this chapter is important

• This chapter explains the link between villages and towns.
• It shows the growth of trade and crafts.
• It helps us understand the early Indian economy.
• It explains urbanisation after the Harappan period.
• It is important for understanding economic history.

This chapter highlights the close relationship between villages and towns and explains how trade and crafts led to urban growth. Understanding early economic life helps in studying later developments in Indian history.

Continue reading Class 6 History Chapter 9 – Traders, Kings and Pilgrims to learn about long-distance trade routes, traders, and cultural exchange.

FAQs

Q1. What does Class 6 History Chapter 8 explain?
It explains the growth of villages and towns, agriculture, crafts, and early trade.

Q2. Why are punch-marked coins important?
They were the earliest coins in India and helped make trade easier.