Trade: In ancient times, from different corners of the world traders came to India to purchase its goods. Foreign trade was done through, water and land routes. Trade relations in East were progressed through land routes with Tibet and China while in West with Iran and Arab. In east Tamralipti seaport was main, traders | went to China, Lanka, Java and Sumatra, etc. through this seaport. Foreign traders brought with them gold, silver, ruby, diamonds and jewelleiy with them. In place of these, they took from India cotton, silk and zari clothes, etc. From western countries sweet wine and silk from China and wool from Nepal were imported. Cloves and sandalwood were exported to Sri Lanka and from there these were exported to Western nations.
Pearl, precious stones, fragrances, clothes, spices, indigo, medicines and coconuts , were chief exports. In place of them, things like gold coins were imported from foreign countries. Internal trade was also at its peak in India. There was proper arrangements of state ways and waterways for internal trade. Waterways was more : appropriate and convenient in trading point of view. Ganga, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri rivers were used for trade, and for this large boats were made.
Commerce and economic Institutions: In the beginning of ancient India, trade was done through Barter system. Later coins took place of goods. There were gold, silver and copper coins were in trend. Gold coins were called ‘Nishk’, silver coins were called ‘Dharan’ and copper coins were called ‘Mashak’. The work of moulding coins was done in the state mint. In ancient India, trade unions were called Shreni or Gan. These unions protected their individual trade benefits. They used to perform the work of modern banks, gave loans and interest and kept Hundis and ornaments as mortgage. Therefore, trade and commerce in ancient India were at their height.