1) Importance of Hampi . ( 5 points with description )

2)Importance of Pushkar lake .( 3 to 5 points with description )

3) Short note on small towns .( 3 points )

4)Why do you think people regarded Thanjavur as a grat town ? ( 5 points )

1) IMPORTANCE OF HAMPI: 1. Hampi is located in the Krishna- Tunghbhadra basin, which forms the nucleus of the Vijayanagara empire, founded in 1336.

2.No mortar or cementing agent was used in the construction of this well-fortified city.

3. In its heyday in 15-16 centuries, Hampi bustled with commercial and cultural activities.

4. Temples were the hub of cultural activities and devadasis performed in temples before the deity.

5. They had well-planned orchards and pleasure gardens with sculptural motifs such as lotus and corbels.

2) IMPORTANCE OF PUSHKAR LAKE:1. Pushkar lake has attracted pilgrims from ancient times as it flowed near the holy pilgimage city of Ajmer.

2. It is a sacred lake for the Hindus.

3.It has 52 ghats near it, where people take holy dips specially on Kartik Purnima.

3) SHORT NOTE ON SMALL TOWNS:1. These small towns usually emerged from large villages.

2. They usually had a madapika to which nearby villagers brought their produce to sell.

3. Many traders came from far and near to these towns to buy local articles and sell products of distant places like horses, camphor etc.

4) WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE REGARDED THANJAVUR AS A GREAT TOWN: 1.It is an example of excellent temple town.

2. The rulers built beautiful temples here, like the Rajarajeshvara Temple at Thanjavur bulit by King Rajaraja Chola.

3. The Saliyas were excellent weavers at Thanjavur.

4. It was situated near Kaveri river, thus their land was very fertile.

5. It was the capital of the Cholas.