Question

write a note on the trade activities-both internal and external- in india during medieval period

Answer 1

During the medieval period, there were many towns that were administrative hub, temple town, or commercial centres. Both internal and external trades were flourishing in those times.

Internal trade activity:

1. The towns bustled with markets selling grain, spices, cloth and jewellery.
2. Cloth: Cloth that could be used in temple festivals, fine cottons for the king and nobility and coarse cotton for the masses.
3. Sculpting: Sculptors made exquisite bronze idols and tall, ornamental bell metal lamps and other such accessories.
4. Temples: Temples were often centres to the economy and society. Therefore the rulers built temples to demonstrate their devotion to various deities. Temples were often full of markets selling various articles.
5. Temple towns: Temple authorities used their wealth to finance trade and banking. A large number of priests, workers, artisans, traders, etc. settled near the temple to cater to its needs and those of the pilgrims. Thus grew temple towns. Bhillasvamin temple (Bhilsa or Vidisha) in Madhya Pradesh and Somnath in Gujarat.
6. Mandapika: Usually mandapika (or mandi), hatta (haat) developed in nearby villages lined with shops. Besides, there were streets for different kinds of artisans such as potters, oil pressers, sugar makers, toddy makers, smiths, stonemasons, etc.

External trade activity:

1. Many came from far and near to these commercial towns to buy local articles and sell products of distant places like horses, salt, camphor, saffron, betel nut and spices like pepper.
2. Several traders, especially horse traders, formed associations, with headmen who negotiated on their behalf with warriors who bought horses.
3. The guilds (associations formed of caravan travellers or traders) traded extensively both within the peninsula and with Southeast Asia and China.
4. i. Gujarati traders, including the communities of Hindu Baniyas and Muslim Bohras, traded extensively with the ports of the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, East Africa, Southeast Asia and China.

ii.They sold textiles and spices in these ports and, in exchange, brought gold and ivory from Africa; and
spices, tin, Chinese blue pottery and silver from Southeast Asia and China.