Question 16 of 16intermediate🔧 ApplyShort Answer4 marks

Suppose you had to travel from Kauśhāmbī to Kāveripattanam in the 3rd century BCE. How would you undertake this journey, and how long would you expect it to take, with reasonable halts on the way?

Correct Answer

Travelling from Kauśhāmbī (near modern Allahabad in north India) to Kāveripattanam (in Tamil Nadu, south India) in the 3rd century BCE would involve careful planning along established routes.

Route: Following the Dakshiṇapatha (southern trade route) southward through major cities like Ujjain, then continuing south through the Deccan plateau towards the Tamil region.

Mode of transport: Bullock carts or horse-drawn chariots for land travel, possibly boats on rivers where available, and walking for difficult terrain.

Halts: Rest houses (mentioned in Aśhoka's edicts) at regular intervals along main roads, wells for water, and fruit and shade trees planted along routes.

Duration: The journey of approximately 1,500-2,000 km would take several months (3-6 months) considering the pace of bullock carts (15-20 km per day), rest days, weather conditions, and the need to pass through multiple kingdoms with varying terrain. The chapter mentions that it took close to two months on horseback to reach the borders of a large empire, suggesting long-distance travel was time-consuming.

Exercise: Questions and activities | Q: 9 | (Page Page 33)
For More Understanding

Explanation

The chapter mentions that Aśhoka 'established rest houses and wells at regular intervals along the main roads of his empire and got fruit and shade trees planted.' It also mentions the Uttarapatha and Dakshiṇapatha as major trade routes. The map on Page 10 shows trade routes and major cities including Kauśhāmbī. Ira mentions that it took close to two months on horseback to reach the borders of the empire.

Solution Steps

  1. Route: Follow the Dakshiṇapatha (southern trade route) southward through Ujjain and the Deccan plateau to the Tamil region

  2. Mode of transport: Bullock carts, horse-drawn chariots, boats on rivers, and walking for difficult terrain

  3. Halts: Rest houses, wells, and fruit/shade trees at regular intervals along main roads as mentioned in Aśhoka's edicts

  4. Duration: 3-6 months for the 1,500-2,000 km journey, considering bullock cart pace of 15-20 km per day, rest days, weather, and varying terrain

Previous