The document discusses trade and kingdoms in South India during ancient times. Three main kingdoms - the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas - controlled coastal areas to facilitate international trade. Each kingdom had two centers of power, one inland and one on the coast. Kings received gifts rather than taxes and funded their rule through military expeditions and tribute. Sangam poets composed poems that honored these kings in exchange for rewards. The document also briefly discusses the Satavahanas dynasty in western India and the Silk Route connecting China to West Asia and Europe.

1. TRADERS, KINGS
AND PILGRIMS
Chapter -10

2. Recap
◦ South India was main Centre of trade.
◦ Kings tried to capture the coastal areas so that they could have trade with other countries.
◦ Three main chiefs were:-
◦ Cholas
◦ Cheras
◦ Pandyas.

3. Main centers of power
◦ Each chiefs were having two centers of power
◦ One Inland
◦ One on the coast

4. Puhar or Kaveripattinam (port city of Cholas)

5. Madurai ( Capital of Pandyas)

6. Main features
◦. Kings received gifts from people and didn’t collect regular taxes
from people.
◦They did military expeditions and collected tribute from
neighboring countries.
◦They kept some of the wealth with them and distribute rest of
the wealth among his relatives and ministers.
◦Sangam poets composed poems in the favour of these kings who
also rewarded these poets.

7. Satavahanas
◦Around 200 yrs later a dynasty known as satavahanas became
powerful in western India .
◦Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni was main ruler of this dynasty.
◦We came to know about him from the inscription written by
Gautami Balashri.
◦Satavahanas rulers are also known as lords of
dakshinapathya.

9. They sent their armies to Eastern, Western
and Southern coasts.

10. The story of the silk route

11. Silkworm to silk process

12. Main facts about Silk Route
◦Silk invented 7000 years ago.
◦It was a secret for thousands of year for the world
later people from distant lands carried silk on camels.
◦The route they travelled is known as silkroute.
◦Chinese rulers sent gifts of silk to rulers in Iran and
West Asia.

14. Silk in other countries
◦ Silk was very popular in Rome.
◦ It was very costly.
◦ Can You guess why????????????

15. The reason was……….
◦It was brought from China a far distant place.
◦The journey was not safe.
◦Dangerous roads through mountains and deserts.
◦People living along the route often demnanded payments for
allowing traders to pass through.

16. Why kings tried to control silk route and its
branches???????????

17. This was because…………..
◦ They could benefit from taxes, tributes and gifts that were brought by
traders travelling along the route.
◦ In return they often protected the traders who passed through their
kingdoms from attacks by robbers.

18. Kushanas
◦ The best known ruler were Kushanas, who ruled over central Asia and North west India around 2000 Years
ago.
◦ Main centers of power were Peshwar and Mathura.
◦ Taxila was also included in their kingdom.
◦ During their rule a branch of silkrule extended from Central Asia down to the seaports at the mpouth of
river Indus, from where silk was exported to Roman Empire.
◦ The Kushans were first ones to issue gold coins, which were used by traders along the silk route.