Paper Topic:

Image Project: Trade in India

Trade in India - Image project

India had been a highly fragmented collection of princely states before the advent of Mughals and the form closest to what we see of India today has been , paradoxically , a result of the British colonization

The fact that the country was divided into several princely states whose control did not extend effectively to large expanses of the territory denied several regions the benefits of trade and interaction with other economic centers

Since the princely states used primitive methods and calculations in the collection of taxes and

were for the most part a insecure set up in terms of governance , the broadening of economic or educational horizons did not occur in a streamlined manner and left much of the Indian economy as ad hoc and primarily agrarian . This economic set up exposed the populace to the vagaries of climate and never provided enough sanctuary from calamities

All inter-state interactions were limited to cultural exchanges , which did not bear great effect on the growth of an organized economy

However there were certain belts of India before the advent of British rule , which enjoyed high standards of living mainly as a result of the abundance of natural wealth and some moderately developed methods of harnessing them . But these regions were always exposed to the threat of other princely states waging wars to get hold of their natural wealth

This high standard of living cannot be considered uniform and there are no documented proofs to substantiate these claims . The partial unification of India under the Mughals led to consolidation in Industries like Textiles which were exported and the import of Gold and other finished products flourished during their rule

As is evident in the modern world , a stable government , a defined set of policies and an established infrastructure are pre requisites to an economy that can provide for high standards of living on a uniform and discernible scale . This beneficial effect on the Indian economy started in a concrete manner only after colonization led to the emergence of a Unified Indian state . Any claims to the contrary are sporadic and too uniform to be taken into serious consideration

Works referred to but not cited in quotes or in references

Wilson , Horace Hayman . The History of British India Volume III . London James Madden , 1848

Keightly , Thomas . History of India From the earliest times to the present day . London : Wittaker Co ,1847

Images The early Indian coins as one depicted above from the Chola period of South India are proof of well-developed trade and economic systems The advent of Mughals increased and facilitated cross b trade and maritime trade . The strong links of The Mughal dynasty with Persia and Arabic countries started the practice of Imports of Gold bullion and the export of Textiles which led to linear and organized growth in these sectors which later took the shape of established and economy supporting industries The finished knit and spun wear of India was famous all over the continents where...

3 pages

112.5 KB

Free sing-up