Question

Why do you think Surat was called the 'Gateway to the West'? Give reasons in support of your answer.

Answer 1

Instructions:
The answer to this question should be divided into four parts:

• Talk about Surat was a cosmopolitan city where people of all caste and creed lived.
• During the Mughal period, it became an emporium.
• It became a gateway of trade with the western world and gate to Mecca as pilgrims set sail from here.
• As a commercial town, it was famous for zari work and banking houses.

Solution:

• Surat was a cosmopolitan city where people of different castes and creed used to live. During the Mughal period, it was the emporium where trade with the western world used to take place.
• This city has also been called the gate to Mecca as several pilgrims used to sail from here.
• Famous for its zari work, Surat textiles had a market in West Asia, Africa, and Europe.
• Surat also housed huge banking houses such as the Kathiawad Seths or Mahajans. The hundis of Surat were honoured in markets of Cairo in Egypt, Basra in Iraq, and Antwerp in Belgium.
• Thus, Surat was like the ‘Gateway to the West’ as it became an important town that was accessible for both Indian and the western world.