What do you mean by Silk Route? What was its significance?
The route through which the traders carried silk with them is known as silk Route. Silk was first invented in China and the methods of its making were kept a high secret for several years. But the traders ultimately spread the knowledge of silk far and wide. Everyone got attracted to it because of its fine texture. Wearing silk became a fashion amongst rulers and rich people in Rome. In India too, the rulers tried is control the Silk Route. This was because they could benefit from taxes, tributes and gifts that were brought by traders travelling along the route. The Kushanas were the best known rulers who controlled the Silk Route. During their rule, a branch of the Silk Route extended from Central Asia down to the seaports at the mouth of the river Indus, from where silk was shipped westwards to the Roman Empire.
Fill in the blanks with appropriate words to complete each sentence.
(i) Gold, ……… and ……….. were in abundance in South India.
(ii) Gautamiputra Shri Satakami and other Satavahana rulers were known as lords of the …………
(iii) The famous Kushana ruler ………….. organised a Buddhist council.
(iv)The older form of Buddhism was known as ……………..
(v) Buddha's attainment of enlightenment was shown by sculptures of the ………………………tree.
(vi) Anyone could follow the path of………………
(vii) Xuan Zang, a Chinese Buddhist pilgrim took the………………… route to return China.
(viii) …….. was the most famous Buddhist monastery.
(ix) The two major centres of power of the Kushanas were ……………….. and ………….
(x) The images of deities were placed within special homes or places known as