In Ancient India, as trade was increasing, it also resulted in the increment and discovery of new routes and because of this the trade and personal cordial relationships with many countries were established. In Ancient India, the trade was done through land and water route and different major centres were settled at the river coast only. The main reason for this was that the overland – trade route was full of risks and was plundered by the robbers.
The land route was used to conduct trade from Northern India to Afghanistan, Arabia, Iran etc. Chinese silk was sent through India via Bactria to the western countries. That is why this land route is known as the Silk route. During Mauryan reign, there was a network of the overland route in west Magadh. Through the main highway, North India was connected with South India.
This route passed through Ujjain, Vidisha, Kaushambi, Saket to Shravasti. Similarly, the second highway connected the western coast to the east coast. Passing by Braghukuch to Kaushambi to Tamralipti, the third highway joining Eastern India with western India, used to proceed from Patliputra to Iran. The fourth highway was from Champa, reaching Pushkalawati.
People of Andhra Pradesh, Kalinga and Bengal used to trade with Burma, Malaya, Sumatra, Java and Cambodia through water route. Majority of their trading was conducted from the port of Tamralipti. South India had two main trade routes – One starting from Machlipattam and the other from Vincent, going separately for some distance, they both joined at one place, forming the route passing through Hyderabad, Kalyan, Paithan and Daulatabad to Berigoja.
In central Asia, Indian traders caravans travelled across Bactrian trade centres crossing over Hindukush mountains. Bactrian trade centres were the meeting point of the routes for China, India and other western countries. Here, the trade articles were exchanged and then carried in the fleets sailing along ‘Auxis’ to Caspian sea.
Alberini, who came to India in the early eleventh century, has described fifteen road – routes of this time. These routes were connecting Kannauj, Mathura, Baari, Dhan, Anhilpatan to different parts of the country. One of these roads proceeded from Kannauj to Tamralipti, passing by Prayag, and from there, to Kalinga in the South, to Kaanchi down to far south.
The second famous route went from Kannauj, through, Panipat, Katak, and Kabul to Gazni. One of the roads connected Bayana to Kannauj. From Bayana, there was a route linking the Indian desert with present Karachi. Another route connected Delhi to Ahmedabad via Jaipur. Role of State in Trade – State has played a dominant role in developing and flourishing trader since Indus Valley civilization to the Sultanate period.
Building and maintenance of trade routes, provision for rest houses on these trade routes, to ensure safety and security of traders and their cargo, etc. was the responsibility of the chief of the state. Presence of many well – established and developed seaports indicate the keen interest of the kings to facilitate, encourage and to develop favourable trade in the country.
The general sea routes of Ancient India began from Lothal, Sutkganador, Valakot, Sotkakoh etc., which were the major ports of Indus valley. Along with Sumeria, India’s trade through Bahrien was done through sea route. In Mauryan reign, a port named Bernis was made. From here, trade was done until the port of Alexandria in Egypt.
People of Andhra Pradesh, Bengal and Kalinga had a large volume of sea trade with Burma, Malaya, Sumatra, Java and Cambodia. At Kannad coast, Vaijyanthi and at Kerala coast, Muziris and Sindhis were the major ports. Shalimar coast in Pandyan kingdom and Bandar coast in Chera kingdom were the major stations for importing foreign horses.
