Question

Give two examples of different types of global exchanges which took place before the 17th century, choosing one example from Asia and one from the Americans.
OR
Explain the role of a guild in the production process of crafts.
OR
What were the causes that led Bombay to emerge as a center of trade?

Answer 1

Two examples of different types of global exchanges which took place before the 17th century were as follows
(i) Before the 17th century, China exported silk and pottery to Europe in exchange for gold and silver from Europe. This trade was carried out using the traditional 'silk route'.
(ii) Many common food items like potatoes, soya, groundnuts, maize, tomatoes and chillies were introduced into Europe from America, after it was discovered by Columbus at the end of the 15th century.
OR
The role of a guild in the production process of crafts were as follows:
(i) In 17th and 18th centuries, the trade guilds were powerful.
(ii) Trade guilds were the association of producers that trained craftsmen, maintained control over production regulated competition and restricted the entry of new people into the trade.
(iii) They often had monopoly right to trade and produce a specific craft.
OR
The causes that led Bombay to emerge as a center of trade were as follows
(i) With the growth of trade in cotton and opium, large communities of traders, bankers, artisans, shopkeepers came to settle in Bombay.
(ii) By 1921, there were 85 cotton mills in Bombay with about 146,000 workers. Large number of people migrated here in search of job.
(iii) Bombay dominated the maritime trade in India till 20th century.