Tamils Agriculture and Irrigation Technology: Two Marks Important Questions and Answers

Tamils and Technology

Unit-IV

AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION TECHNOLOGY

Two Marks Important Questions and Answers

1. What is a dam?

A dam is an obstruction that stops the flow of an estuary or a steam. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, aquaculture and maritime transport.

2. Explain lake and pond.

(i) A lake is a relatively large naturally occurring body of water. It is located in a basin completely surrounded by dry land. It helps to filter the incoming and outgoing steam. Lakes are generally larger and deeper than ponds. Most lakes receive water through creeks and rivers.

(ii) A pond is a small quiet land-based body of water, either naturally or artificially formed. A pond is smaller than a lake and there are no criteria to differentiate the two.

3. What do you mean by Thangals and Enthal?

A succession of lakes is called series of lakes. The part that receives the rain water coming from the first lake is called 'Enthal'. The lakes behind bear the drained water from Enthal and other lakes. So they are called 'Thangals'.

4. What are the names of water bodies mentioned in the sangam literature?

River, Dam, Pond, Lake, Enthal, Well, Thangal, Ooruni.

5. Ooruni - explain.

Public drinking water tank.

6. What is a Sluice?

A Sluice is a gate established to divert water from ponds, lakes or culverts for irrigation of crops. Sluices have many names. They are Sarungai, Puthavu, Mathagu (Sluice), Kumizhi, Thoombu, and Madai. During the Sangam period, they were made of wood or stone. These can be opened or closed manually.

7. Explain Neerodi and Serodi.

(i) Neerodi: A scientifically constructed system is a sluice. It is set up like a stone box to let out only the required amount of water. At the top of this stone box, there is a hole of half a foot diameter. The name for this hole is Neerodi. This hole is covered with a stone like a pipe. (ii) Serodi: There are two or three small holes on the floor of the box. These are called Serodi.

8. How was the intellectual capacity of the Sangam people?

Many parts of Tamil Nadu receive rain for only two months a year due to the northeast monsoon. With that, the water requirement for the whole year has to be managed. Realizing this well, Sangam people used their knowledge to create thousands of lakes / ponds and collected and fully utilized the rain water of those two months. In order to use the collected water sparingly, they set up sluices and installed them in lakes / ponds.

9. Kumizhithoombu - Explain. (or) Explain the word Kumizhithoombu (Agriculture and Irrigation Technology)

A Kumizhithoombu is a scientifically designed system used to remove water and silt from a lake.

The Tamils have been managing irrigation water effectively by establishing a water management system called Kumizhithoombu in the big lakes of Tamil Nadu 2000 years ebno ago. This Kumizhithoombu not only provided water for irrigation, but also prevented the lakes from silting up and drying up.

10. What is the difference between sluice (Madagu) and a Kumizhi?

The sluices (Madagu) do the job of draining the water. Kumizhi in addition to expelling water, also removes sediments from lakes, ponds and sluices.

11. What are the characteristics of domestic animals?

i) The domestic animals should be useful to the breeder.

ii) They should be able to thrive in the company of a breeder.

iii) They should reproduce freely.

iv) They should be easily reared.

12. Tholkappiyar divides the Tamil lands into how many categories? What are they?

 (i) Hard field (ii) Soft field (iii) Punpulam (iv) Kalar Field (or) Salt Field (or) Purangadu.

13. How are the owners of the agricultural lands called?

 i) Tiller ii) Vellalaro iii) Karalar iv) Uzhathiyar

14. What are natural fertilizers?

Only natural fertilizers were used during the Sangam period. They used natural fertilizers before and after ploughing. Green manures are used even today. Fertilizer crops such as pasunthal, thakkai poondu, agathi, sanapai, billi, auri. Cattle dung was used as manure on ploughed lands.

15. What were the crops cultivated during the Sangam period?

Rice, sugarcane, small grains, pulses, coconut, cotton, banana, tamarind, sandalwood, etc., were cultivated during the Sangam period. Paddy had been an important agricultural crop. The dot houses had trees like jack fruit, coconut, and betel nut. They had a flower garden at the back of the house and grew tamarind at the front. All the villages became self-sufficient and surplus production was high.

16. What are the tools needed for agriculture?

(i) Plough, (ii) Parambu, (iii) Palliyaduthal, (iv) Thalambu, (v) Sugarcane Squeezer, (vi) Loaders, (vii) Kavalaiyertam, (viii) Cranes, (ix) Catapult, (x) Sound making tool, (xi) Flares and blowers, (xii) Sickle, (xiii) Bags.

17. What is Ocean?

Ocean refers to a large body of salt water. The salinity of sea water varies widely. Less at the surface and near the mouths of large rivers and more in the depths of ocean.

18. What are the substances dissolved in sea water?

The most dissolved solid in sea water is sodium chloride. Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Salts of mercury and many other elements are dissolved in the sea water.

19. What are the environmental problems of the ocean?

i) As a result of human activities (Marine litter, plastic pollution, micro plastics, nutrient pollution, toxins) ocean is polluted.

ii) Over exploitation (fishing, habitat loss, invasive species).

iii) Climate change in the ocean (increase in sea temperature, decrease in pH value, melting of sea ice, decreasing oxygen levels).

20. Explain any one of the ports in Sangam am age.

(i) Korkai

* It is a Pandyas port

* Pearl export was done

* There was also involved in repairing activities of ships

(ii) Musiri

* It is a Cheras port

* The wine jars of Romans, plates, cups, jars, door hooks are exported.

(iii) Kaveripoompattinam

* It is a Cholas port

* Yavanas came and lived here

* Export and import was carried out here

21. What do you mean by fishery? Mention their types.

A fishery may be an enterprise that raises or harvests fish and other aquatic life. Usually, the site where such an enterprise was held was called a fishing ground. About 500 million people worldwide depend economically on fisheries.

Types

i) Marine fisheries or Brackish water fisheries

ii) Inland fisheries or Fresh water fishers

22. List the species of fish.

(i) Shark (Agananooru 150:6, 7) (ii) Bryde's Whale (Madurai Kanchi 375) (iii) Prawn (Agananooru 60.1) (iv) Njendu (Sirupanartupadai 194-195) (v) Conch (Agananooru' 350) (vi) Thali (Ingurunooru 106 – 1 – 3) (vii) Ippi (Nartinai 87: 6-7) (viii) Ayirai (Nartinai 272: 4-6) (ix) Ayilai (Agananooru 60 5-6) (x) Arai (Kurunthogai, 114: 6-5) (xi) Kediru (Ingurunooru 160: 3-5) (xii) Yamai (Agananooru 160: 3-5)

23. What are the medical properties of pearl?

i) If the pearl is put in skimmed milk, it will float. If pearls are soaked in water and the water is drunk, the acidity in the stomach will be neutralized and intestinal diseases will be prevented.

ii) Pearl preserves smooth liver function.

iii) It has diabetes control properties.

iv) If pearls rich in calcium are worn and when they rub the body, the protein will be dissolved. As a result, the body heat will subside.

24. What do you mean by Salabam and Muthu Salabam?

(or)

What is Pearl hunting?

Places where Pearls are grown in the sea are called Salabam. Pearl bathing or Pearl hunting is also called Muthu Salabam. Thus, pearl hunting is a method of taking pearls from the ocean.

25. What is the difference between a pond and a lake?

Both ponds and lakes are inland fresh water bodies. Lakes are generally deeper than ponds and have a larger surface area.

Ponds have smaller waves than lakes. Some ponds and lakes are easy to identify while others are difficult to determine. In fact, there is no precise scientific difference between the two. What is considered a lake in one area may be a pond in another.

26. Explain ice pond (or) ice well.

A snow lake is an artificial lake usually located on the top of a mountain. It is generally designed for providing water for livestock. Ice ponds are used in areas where a natural supply of surface water is not readily available. There are evidences that these ice ponds were used for cattle during the Sangam period.

27. Explain crop rotation system (or) what is called intercropping?

Crop rotation was followed in the Sangam period itself.  For example, cotton and small grains were grown in the same season. After that, broad beans were cultivated. Small grains were cultivated in the Kurinji lands. Kosala country farmers cultivated paddy. At the same time, they cultivated various crops.

28. What are the other names given to the ploughing tools?

(i) Aerai (ii) Meli (iii) Nanjail (iv) Kalappai

29. Write any one Thirukural relating to agriculture.

i) Uzhuthundu vazhvarae vazhvar matrallam

Thozhuthundu pin selbavar           (Kural 1033)

ii) Suzhandrum yerpinnathu ulagaam athanal

Uzhandhum uzhave thalai         (Kural 1031)

30. What is Kabilai?

Kabilai refers to cattle. Farmers used a technology, called Kabilai, to draw water from deep wells for irrigation using cattle.

31. Who is a Valaigner (net caster)?

Today we call those who go to sea and do fishing as Fishermen'. They have been referred to as 'Valaigner' during the Sangam period. 'Valaigner' means one who fishes with a net.

32. How long do pearls take to grow?

Pearls take 5-6 years to form in good water.

Perls take 5-20 years to form in salt water.

A shell produces a total of 60 pearls in its life time.

33. Which was the famous pearl harbour in ancient Tamil Nadu?

Korkai and Musiri.

34. What are the classifications of ocean basins (Padugai)?

(i) Pacific ocean (ii) Atlantic ocean (iii) Artic ocean (iv) Mediterranean sea, Gulf of Mexico and South China sea.

35. What are the substances that affect the colour of the sea?

Dissolved organic matter, Phyto-Plankton living with Chlorophyll pigments and non-living particles such as sea ice and mineral deposits affect the colour of the ocean.

36. What is knowledge? What are its types?

Facts, information, interpretations acquired through experience or education or knowing about something or practical understanding is knowledge.

Types of Knowledge

 (i) Situational Awareness (ii) Natural Knowledge (iii) Academic Knowledge (iv) Knowledge to know the Truth

37. What are the functions of Knowledge Society?

(i) A knowledge society makes knowledge available to all members that can be used to improve the human condition.

(ii) A knowledge society helps transform information into resources that allow a society to take action effectively.

38. What are UNESCO's Principles for Knowledge Society?

(i) Cultural diversity (ii) Equal access to education

(iii) Universal access to information (iv) Freedom of expression.

39. What is the use of Kumizhi Thoompu?

i) It is used to release water from lake for irrigation.

ii) It is also used to reduce (or) remove slit (or) clay from the lake.

iii) Level of water in the lake can be maintained.

40. Write the functions of "Sluice".

When the water from the sluice is allowed through the drain to the irrigation, the sluice valve is opened sufficiently by turning the screw once enough water has passed, the screw is turned and closed. Hence, the flow of water can be increased or decreased whenever needed.

41. Write the names of three crops from the Sangam Period.

Rice, sugarcane, small grains, pulses, coconut, cotton, banana, tamarind, sandal wood, etc., were cultivated during the Sangam period.

Anna University Part A Two Marks Important Questions

1. Explain the word - Kumizhi Thoombu (Agriculture and Irrigation technology)

2. Which was the famous pearl harbour in Ancient Tamil Nadu?

3. Who is the author of the book 'ARIVIYAL TAMIL'?

4. What is 'Kapilai'?

5. Kumizhi Thoombu - Explain.

6. Explain any one of the ports in Sangam age.

7. Ooruni-Explain.

8. Write any one Thirukural relating to agriculture.

9. What is kumizhi thoompu?

10. Tolkappiyar divides the Tamil lands into how many categories? What are they?

11. What is the use of Kumizhi Thoompu?

12. What is pearl hunting?

13. Write the functions of "Sluice".

14. Write the names of three crops from the Sangam Period.