Mathura has been an important settlement for more than 2500 years. Give reasons.

Reasons:

• It was important because it was located at the cross roads of two major routes of travel and trade – from the northwest to the east and from north to south.
• There were fortifications around the city, and several shrines.
• Farmers and herders from adjoining areas provided food for people in the city.
• Mathura was also a centre where some extremely fine sculpture was produced.