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Ancient India served as the centre of trade for various countries. Many people from the United Kingdom, Portugal and France moved here to establish their businesses. This helped them to export and import goods from India to many countries. These exchanges were made easier mainly by the ports system, which allowed items to be exported and imported between countries. Ports played an important part in the development of trade in ancient India. In this part, we will discuss the ports of ancient India. This topic may appear in the section on the national history of various civil examinations such as UPSC, SSC, and EPFO. Continue reading learn more about it in detail.
Table of Contents
Historical Context of Ports of Ancient India
India’s port has a long history dating back to the Harappan civilisation. The Indus Valley Civilisation which is known for its urban planning, also became involved in maritime trade.
- During the rule of empires such as the Mauryan, Satavahana, Gupta and Chola, India saw the development of many important ports.
- These ports were strategically located to ease trade with both the West and the East.
- These ports were important because they exported items such as spices, textiles and precious stones while importing gold, silk and wines.
Also Read: Arrival of the East India Company and Its Expansion
Notable Ports of Ancient India
There are several ports in ancient India that helped in maritime trade. Each port is unique and plays an important role in global trade. Some of the ports are listed below.
Lothal (Gujarat)
Lothal is one of the most important ports of the Indus Valley Civilisation which is situated in modern-day Gujarat. It is regarded as one of the world’s oldest known ports.
- Lothal’s dockyard is 220 metres long and 37 metres wide, showing the Harappans’ deep expertise in maritime technology.
- Lothal was primarily used for trade with Mesopotamia, Egypt and Persia.
- The artefacts from the Lothal port indicate that the port played an important role in the export of precious stones, beads and cotton.
- Lothal also maintained strong trading links with the Arabian Peninsula.
Muziris (Kodungallur, Kerala)
Muziris is located in present-day Kerala. It was one of the most famous ports in ancient India, especially during the Sangam period. It was a major hub for the spice trade, which was highly valued in the Roman Empire.
- Muziris traded majorly with Greece, Rome and Egypt.
- Muziris was also an important connection in the maritime Silk Route, with the exports of precious stones, textiles and ivory.
- This route was used to carry Roman products into India, such as gold, wine and ceramics.
- This port was important during the Christian era as it is believed to be one of the earliest places where Christianity was introduced.
Bharuch (Broach, Gujarat)
Bharuch was another important port in Gujarat that emerged after the decline of the Harappan civilisation. During the Mauryan time, Bharuch established itself as an important trading centre.
- Bharuch was known for exporting textiles, ivory and spices to Roman and Arab merchants.
- It imported luxury items like wine, gold and glassware.
- Roman coins discovered in Bharat indicate that the port had a close relationship with the Roman Empire.
Kaveripattinam (Poompuhar, Tamil Nadu)
Kaveripattinam, also known as Poompuhar, was an important port city during the Chola empire. This port is located in present-day Tamil Nadu. It was a major port on India’s eastern coast.
- This port was the main exporter for cities like Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia.
- This city is known for trading spices, textiles, pearls and other luxury goods.
Also Read: Mahabalipuram: An Architectural Masterpiece
Sopara (Maharashtra)
Sopara is an important port of ancient West India, located in present-day Mumbai. It was a popular trading port during the Mauryan Empire.
- This port was well known for its commerce in textiles, spices, ivory and horses.
- Sopara is also believed to play an important role in spreading Buddhism across the Indian Ocean.
- The importance of this port can be seen throughout the Satavahana period which focused on Indo-Roman trade.
Arikamedu (Puducherry)
Arikamedu, currently located in modern-day Puducherry, was a major Indo-Roman trade centre. Ancient evidence shows that it was a major trade centre for Indian goods including textiles, spices and pearls to the Roman Empire.
- The port at Arikamedu was seen as a hub for international trade.
- It was well connected to the other ports around the Coromandel Coast.
- The discovery of various Roman artefacts shows that this port flourished during the peak of the Indo-Roman trade.
Tamralipti (West Bengal)
Tamralipti, now known as Tamluk, was an important port in West Bengal. It was a major trade centre during the Mauryan, Gupta and Pala dynasties.
- Tamralipti served as a gateway for textiles, spices and iron.
- This port also promoted cultural exchanges between Buddhist missionaries.
Goods Traded Through Ports of Ancient India
Many items were exported and imported through these ports. We’ve discussed some of the goods that were traded through these ports in ancient India.
- Spices: India is known as the “Land of Spices,” and its spices were exported to the Roman Empire, Greece, Egypt and the Arab world.
- Textiles: Indian cotton and silk fabrics were highly valued in ancient times. These fabrics were mostly exported to Rome, Greece and Southeast Asia.
- Iron and Steel: India was known for producing advanced iron and steel products, which were exported to the Roman Empire and the Middle East.
- Precious Stones: India was well-known for their gemstones, including diamonds and sapphires, which were traded to Persia, Rome and Egypt.
The ports of Ancie India served as centres for trade, cultural exchange and knowledge. These ports connected India to a number of countries. While many of these ports have faded over time, their legacy remains a tribute to India’s old maritime trade throughout history.
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FAQs
Lothal Port, Arikamedu, Sopara, Bharuch and Muziris are some of the famous ports of ancient India.
Lothal is the oldest and most important port in the world. This port has significance during the Indus Valley Civilisation which is situated in modern-day Gujarat.
Port Blair is the smallest port in India. It is the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
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