In north India, around the twelfth century, a group of weavers gathers every evening to listen to a religious teacher whose own father was a weaver. He does not work within the orthodox Brahmanical framework. He speaks in the language of the ordinary people around him and asks his listeners to question the authority of the Vedas. His circle of followers keeps widening among artisans, but the local court shows no interest in him.
Which development of the period best explains why artisanal groups like these weavers were becoming increasingly important?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Organised craft production, with demand from new urban centres and long-distance trade
Option (1) The rise of temple building, which needed cloth and other goods for rituals — Incorrect. Temples were built in the north with royal support, but temple needs are not the reason given for the rise of artisans.
Option (2) The settlement of Arab merchants at ports along the eastern coast — Incorrect. Arab merchants came to ports on the western coast in the first millennium CE. That is a different contact, and the coast is wrong.
Option (3) Tax exemptions granted by Rajput kings to the guilds of weavers — Incorrect. The rise of artisans came from craft production and trade. Rajput states are linked with the high position of Brahmanas.
Option (4) Organised craft production, with demand from new urban centres and long-distance trade — Correct. Weavers and other artisans grew in importance with organised craft production. Its demand came from new urban centres and long-distance trade with Central Asia and West Asia. Teachers such as the Naths, Jogis and Siddhas often came from these groups.
NCERT (2026-27): “4. Religious Ferment in North India … |