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TOWNS, TRADERS AND CRAFTPERSONSPrepared By:Parminder Kaur056

ADMINISTERATIVE CENTRES - ThanjavurTEMPLESRajarajeshvara Temple built by King Rajaraja Chola.Architect carved his name on the temple wall Kunjaramallan Rajaraja Perunthachchan.Inside is a massive Shiva Linga.

PALACESThese are with mandapas or pavillions.Kings hold court in these mandapas, issuing orders to their subordinates.

MARKETSGrains, clothes, spices and jewellery are sold.The Saliya and Uraiyur weavers producing clothes for flag used in temple festivals.At Svamimalai, the sthapatis or sculptors are making exquisite bronze idols and tall, ornamental bell metal lamps.

Temple townsIt represent a very important pattern of urbanisation, the process by which cities develop.Rulers built temples to demonstrate their devotion to various deities.Temple authorities use their wealth to finance trade and banking.A large number of priests, artisans, workers, traders, etc. settled near the temple to cater to its needs.

Examples:Bhillasvamin (Bhilsa or Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh).Somnath in Gujrat.Kanchipuram and Madurai in Tamil Nadu.Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.

PILGRIMAGE CENTRESSlowly developed into townships.Examples:Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh)Tiruvannamalai (Tamil Nadu)Ajmer (Rajasthan) provides an excellent example of religious co-existence.Celebrated sufi saints who settled there in 12th century- Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti.Lake near Ajmer, which has attracted pilgrims from ancient times Pushkar.