Question

Trade was an important activity during this period. Explain this statement with examples.

Answer 1

The post-Mauryan period is significant for the drastic rise in trading activities. The item of trading was not only the agricultural produce but also luxury goods such as pearls and everyday-used goods such as spices. Several kingdoms of this period were involved in excellent trading activities. The most prominent of them all were the Kushanas, Satavahanas and the Indo-Greeks. Broach, Kalyan and Sopara emerged as important trading ports. Things were no different in the northern kingdoms. Taxila, Ujjain and Mathura emerged as important trading centres.
The Silk Route also rose to prominence during this time. The route by which the Chinese traders carried silk to the western kingdoms became a coveted possession of many native rulers. The native rulers extended aid and protection to the traders in return of prizes. All such activities suggest that trading was indeed an important activity of this period.