AS

Abhishek Singh

Question Q-5GS1GS1

How did the ancient trade routes connecting India to foreign countries contribute to the exchange & dissemination of culture? From Iranian invasion in 516 BC to Britishers coming in 17th century trade routes have played a significant role in exchange of culture.

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AnswerStrengthsGapsKeywords

Introduction

From Iranian invasion in 516 BC to Britishers coming in 17th century trade routes have played a significant role in exchange of culture.

23 words

Main Body

Ancient trade routes & cultural exchange

1Harappan civilization: Trade between Lothal and Egyptian region happened via sea & land routes
2Khyber pass: Alexander came to India through this & spread the knowledge of Indian geography to Europe.
3Ancient silk route: Kushari empire had control over silk route & used to levy taxes.
4Bay of Bengal: Trade between South India's and South east Asia passed through this route
5Trade with Romans & Greeks: both from southern kingdoms of Chola, Chera & Pandya => large number of gold coins discovered. This happened via Arabian sea route
6Vasco da Gama: a portugese sailor came to Cochin coast & showed Europeans a way to rich lands of India.

Ashokas Dhamma transmitted Religion, Science & Culture, technology System of ship making eg. Reed administration.

How does the archaeological evidence help in piecing together the life of Harappan civilization?

Although inconclusive but Harappan civilization flourished between 2700 BC to 1900 BC (Approx).

Archaeological evidences:

1Seals: Seals like pashupati, unicorn, animal motifs, and seals of egypt 4 mesopotamians in harappan cities. Signifying trade was flourishing. Religion. Animals existed type. Amulets - owner of a commodity.
2Dancing girl from Mohenjodaro tells about bronze works & metallurgical development.
3Pottery: Types of pottery for various uses by rich, poor, etc found => shows social division & technology eg. painted Groey ware.
4Burnt bricks: It was not found in egyptian civilization shows that Harappans were more advanced
5Fortification of area show that flooding may have been a problem.
6Tools: Bronze and stone tools discovered => agriculture animal husbandry
8Town planning: Discovery of streets cutting at right angles, Drainage system, etc shows advanced Geometry knowledge
9Great bath & Granary shows ritual importance. Granary to store supplies => led to trade.
10Advance water management system is Pholaise.
11Social division: As both a high citadel for royals & a low residential area for commoners discovered.

Harappan script has not been deciphered fully yet. once deciphered it will reflect more about lives of such advanced civilization.

347 words5 paragraphs

Diagram

Hierarchical diagram showing: Ashokas Dhamma -> branches to Religion, Science & Culture; below that Culture exchange -> Technology, System of ship making, Reed administration

Answer continues on next page
  • Good chronological approach
  • Specific examples with routes
  • Links trade to cultural diffusion
  • Mentions multiple civilizations
  • Good use of archaeological evidence
  • Connects artifacts to socioeconomic aspects
  • Mentions specific examples like seals and pottery
  • Connects architectural features to social organization
  • Mentions water management system
  • Notes limitation of undeciphered script

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Page 14

Topper

Abhishek Singh

Subject & Paper

GS1GS1

Topic

Trade and Cultural Exchange

Ancient Trade Routes and Cultural Transmission

Trade as Vehicle for Cultural Diffusion

Writing Stats

370

Total words

5

Paragraphs