Question

How has the strategic location of india contributed to the exchange of idea and commodities through land and sea since ancient times?

Answer 1

The location of India has contribution to the exchange of ideas and goods through both land and sea since ancient times.

1. India lies adjacent to China, Central Asia and Western Asia. Since ancient times, India has been able to trade with these regions. Moreover, many scholars and pilgrims from these regions have to India, mostly to study in the famed Buddhist Universities like Nalanda. This has led to the spread of Indian thought and philosophy to these regions.

2. Southern India is surrounded by sea on three sides. This has facilitated trading relations with other parts of Asia and Europe since ancient times. Indian ideas have also spread through the sea route. Thus the idea of zero and place value number system which had been invented in India spread through Arab traders who came to India by sea. From the Arab traders, these ideas reached Europe.