During Mauryan reign, there was a network of overland routes 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 Western coast to East coast, passing by Braghukuch to Kaushambi to Tamralipti. Third highway joining/linking Eastern India with Western India was used to travel from Patliputra to Iran.
The Fourth highway, was from Champa, reaching Pushkalawati. On this route, the famous cities of Panchal, Kampilya and Shakal were situated. This route reached Taxila. Kautilya has called sea highways as ‘Sanyan Path’. The ships sailing over oceans were named as ‘Pravahn’. This proves that the condition of trade in Mauryan reign was good because the growth of the basic structure of transport increased the trading element. Likewise, it is proved that in Mauryan reign, domestic trade was as good as International trade. Trade routes played a very important role in this.
