NCERT Book Class 6 Social Science (History) Chapter 8 Villages, Towns and Trade

CHAPTER 8
VILLAGES, TOWNS AND TRADE

Prabhakar at the blacksmith’s shop
Prabhakar sat watching the smiths at the local shop.
There was a small bench on which iron tools like axes
and sickles were laid out, ready for sale. A bright fire was
burning, and two men were heating and beating metal
rods into shape. It was very hot and noisy, and yet it was
fascinating to watch what was happening.

Iron tools and agriculture
We often take the use of iron for granted today.
Things made of iron (and steel) are a part of
our daily lives. The use of iron began in the
subcontinent around 3000 years ago. Some of the
largest collections of iron tools and weapons were
found in the megalithic burials, about which you
read in Chapter 4.
Around 2500 years ago, there is evidence for the
growing use of iron tools. These included axes for
clearing forests, and the iron ploughshare. As we
had seen (Chapter 5), the ploughshare was useful
for increasing agricultural production.

Other steps to increase production: irrigation Iron tools.
Here is a set of captions.
The kings and kingdoms you have been reading Choose the right one for
about could not have existed without the support each of the pictures.
of flourishing villages. While new tools and the Sickle, tongs, axe.
system of transplantation (Chapter 5) increased Prepare a list of at least
f ive objects made of
production, irrigation was also used. Irrigation iron or steel that you use
works that were built during this time included almost everyday.
canals, wells, tanks, and artificial lakes.
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villages, towns and
trade

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