Question

How did trade take place between India and Europe during the middle ages?

Answer 1

Instructions:

This is a 3 marks question. There should be at least 3 points here.

• We have to start by mentioning what India had to offer in trade.
• Then connect that to the Arabian traders taking it to Constantinople and European traders taking it up from there.
• Mention Constantinople’s importance in this context.

Solution:

• There was a great demand for Indian spices like pepper, cardamom, ginger and many other spices in Europe. Arab merchants carried Indian trading goods to Constantinople.
• From there, Italian merchants would buy the goods and then sell them in European countries. Through this trade, Constantinople became the centre of international trade between the East and the West and came to be known as the ‘Gate of European Trade'.
• In this manner, Arab merchants had gained a monopoly over the trade in Europe, while the merchandise from Asia brought good profits to Italian merchants.