Who are Traders, Craftspersons and Explorers?
Have you ever imagined living the life of an explorer? It's fascinating to learn about new things we didn't know about before. History is similar to an adventure in which you play the part of explorers and learn about your own past and history. Doesn't this seem exciting?
By the 17th century, India had seen the birth of various towns, according to our research. Each town has its own specialisation. Ports and trade towns, for example, dealt with sea trade and sprang up along the seashore. Similar temple towns grew up in the vicinity of sacred sites to help travellers on their journey. As communities sprang up, trades and crafts developed as well. As a result, the number of dealers, craftsmen, and explorers increased.
In this article, you will learn about Traders, Craftspersons and Explorers, their key role, importance and significance.
Traders
New towns bring with them new cash streams. Those who lived in temple towns, for example, were responsible for the hospitality and other needs of pilgrims who came to worship. As a result, a number of "sarais" and stores developed, resembling modern-day bed and breakfast.
Similarly, residents of port towns began importing and exporting goods from Gulf countries. As a result, they become export and import traders. Over time, this process resulted in a variety of revenue-generating business options other than agriculture.
There were traders who were nomads who travelled across boundaries to form guilds of traders. Manigramam and Nanadesi were the most well-known. These guilds were formed to safeguard their interests in Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent.
Traders Big and Small
Traders came in all types. The Banjaras were among them. Several dealers, particularly horse traders, formed associations with headmen who negotiated with warriors who purchased horses on their behalf.
Due to the several countries and forests they had to pass through, traders frequently travelled in caravans and formed guilds to safeguard their interests. From the 7th century onwards, there were multiple similar guilds in south India, the most famous of which were the Manigramam and Nanadesi. These guilds traded extensively over the peninsula, as well as with Southeast Asia and China.
Communities such as the Chettiars and the Marwari Oswal went on to become the country's most important trading groups. Gujarati traders, including Hindu Baniyas and Muslim Bohras, traded extensively with the ports of the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, East Africa, Southeast Asia, and China. Spices, tin, Chinese blue pottery, and silver from Southeast Asia and China were exchanged for textiles and spices from Africa, as well as spices, tin, Chinese blue pottery, and silver from Southeast Asia and China.
Arab, Persian, Chinese, Jewish, and Syrian Christian traders lived in the towns along the west coast. Indian spices and cloth traded in Red Sea ports were bought by Italian traders and finally made their way to European markets, where they made huge profits. Spices from tropical climates (pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, dried ginger, and so on) became popular in European cooking, and cotton cloth was attractive. As a result, European traders began to rush to India. We'll see how this changed the face of trading and towns in a while.
Craftspersons
A trader must have a finished product in order to trade. Consider cotton for textile trade and a statue for temple trade. The list goes on and on. Craftspeople were brought in to help with this. India is a land of artisans and craftsmen. They turned their trade into a source of income by turning it into revenue-generating work.
For example, we had sculptors who created beautiful deities and other sculptors. The royal family engaged them to decorate the royal palaces and places of worship. The Sun Temple in Konark is a work of sculptural art, and the artisans who created it get all of the credit.
Architecture was also present. We had architects who worked with stone and sand to construct wonders. The Taj Mahal is only one of India's many instances of skilled architects. Hampi, a small village in Karnataka in southern India, is famous for its architectural beauty. Aside from the stone skills.
We also had those who used different methods to weave magic. In a literal means. We had weavers, spinners, and knitters among our numbers. Cleaning, spinning, and colouring cotton, as well as bidri and weaving, became increasingly popular. Even now, we know which towns are known for which types of crafts. Cuttack print, for example, is a well-known cotton print from Orissa.
However, that Madhubani painting could be from Bihar. Similarly, Varanasi in the north and Chennai in the south are attributed with silk and silk weaving. Cloth manufacture, dyeing, weaving, and cotton cleaning became specialised crafts within themselves, and towns grew up to become experts in them. Weavers from the Saliyar and Kaikkolar groups made a lot of money and donated a lot of it to temples through their craft.
Explorers
The urbanization process includes the establishment of new gathering places where people can interact with one another. New towns and their town squares attracted moths like a flame. The ports that were used for trade also served as a gateway to the inland for explorers and travellers.
The first to see an increase of travellers were the commercial towns. Because most explorers went out looking for business opportunities, this was the case. It's important to note that this is how the British India Company entered India's mainland.
However, the British were not the only ones who came to India in search of new opportunities. In the 16th and 17th centuries, there was also an influx of French and Dutch travellers. Some of them chose to make their homes in India. They planned to expand their commercial operations to this region of the globe. However, we all know what happened in the end!
Craftspeople's independence came to an end during this time. The commercial system developed a special bond between them and their way of working. There were advance payments and pre-ordered clothes involved, so the craftspeople were forced to produce according to directions rather than their own preferences. Everything began falling apart as craftspeople were relegated to "black villages" constructed by Europeans and white people and supervised by them.
Fun Facts on the Emergence of Small Towns
Small towns began to appear in India in the 8th century. They came from vast settlements. They had a market called a 'mandapika,' where locals could sell their goods.
Similarly, market streets known as 'hatta' were lined with stores.
Many locals came to buy and trade local items such as horses, camphor, saffron, betel nut, spices, salt, and other items.
A Samanta was usually chosen, who fortified the palaces and had the authority to collect taxes from traders, artisans, and other people.
Conclusion
Thus, in this article we got basic information on traders, craftspersons and explorers. Students can also keep this in traders craftspersons and explorers pdf form. Traders were the people who used to trade in different commodities and because of which emergence of small towns could be seen. Craftpersons were the people who were occupied in the handcrafts where as explorers used to travel to gather information about different places.
FAQs on Traders Craftspersons and Explorers
1. What were the three main types of urban centres that developed in medieval India?
During the medieval period in India, urban centres could be broadly classified into three major types based on their primary function:
- Administrative or Capital Towns: These were centres of power where rulers held court, such as Thanjavur, the capital of the Cholas.
- Temple Towns and Pilgrimage Centres: These towns, like Tirupati and Ajmer, grew around major temples or shrines, attracting devotees and fostering economic activity.
- Commercial and Craft Towns: These centres, such as Surat and Masulipatnam, thrived on trade, port activities, and specialised manufacturing of goods.
2. How did different kinds of traders operate and organise themselves during this period?
Traders in medieval India operated at various scales. Small-time traders travelled between towns with their goods, while large-scale traders formed powerful associations. Many traders, especially horse traders, formed guilds or associations like the Manigramam and Nanadesi. These guilds negotiated with rulers, managed trade routes, and collectively protected their interests. Nomadic traders like the Banjaras were also crucial, as they moved in large caravans to transport grain and other bulk goods over long distances.
3. What were some of the most famous examples of craftsmanship in medieval towns?
Medieval towns were hubs of exceptional craftsmanship. Some notable examples include:
- Bidri Work: The craftspeople of Bidar were renowned for their intricate inlay work using copper and silver, a craft that came to be known as 'Bidri'.
- Bronze Sculptures: The Chola period, in particular, was famous for its exquisite bronze idols created using the 'lost wax' technique.
- Textiles: Weaving communities like the Saliyar or Kaikkolars produced high-quality cotton and silk fabrics, which were in great demand.
4. Why were temple towns considered such important centres of the economy?
Temple towns became major economic centres because temples were not just places of worship. Rulers and wealthy merchants made large donations to temples, which used this wealth to finance trade and banking activities. The constant flow of pilgrims required markets for food, lodging, and religious items, creating a self-sustaining economy. Temples also owned vast tracts of land and employed numerous priests, artisans, and workers, further driving local commerce.
5. Who were the 'Panchalas' or 'Vishwakarma' community, and what role did they play?
The Panchalas or Vishwakarma community was a collective of highly skilled artisans essential for construction and craft. This group consisted of goldsmiths, bronzesmiths, blacksmiths, masons, and carpenters. They played a crucial role in building magnificent temples, palaces, large buildings, tanks, and reservoirs, making them central to the architectural and infrastructural development of the era.
6. How did the function of a port town like Surat differ from a temple town like Tirupati?
The functions of these towns were fundamentally different. Surat, as a major port town, was a gateway for international trade, especially with West Asia. Its economy was driven by shipping, export-import activities, and banking houses (hundi). It was a multicultural hub for merchants from around the world. In contrast, Tirupati's economy was centred on pilgrimage. Its primary function was religious, and its commercial activities, like markets and inns, were developed to serve the thousands of devotees who visited the temple.
7. What key factors led to the decline of major Indian trading towns like Surat by the end of the 17th century?
Several factors contributed to the decline of towns like Surat:
- The weakening of the Mughal Empire, which led to a loss of control over trade routes and reduced security.
- Increased competition and control by European trading companies, particularly the English, Dutch, and French.
- The rise of new colonial port cities like Bombay (Mumbai), which became the new headquarters for the English East India Company and diverted trade away from older ports.
8. What was the significance of Hampi as an urban centre?
Hampi was the capital of the powerful Vijayanagara Empire and a well-fortified city. Its significance lay in its dual role as a major administrative centre and a thriving commercial and cultural hub. The markets of Hampi were bustling with merchants trading in spices, textiles, and precious stones. Architecturally, it was renowned for its magnificent temples and palaces, which attracted travellers and traders from as far as Portugal and Persia.
