R.A.S./R.T.S.(Pre) 2010

Ancient Indian Industries

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Centers located in Gujarat, Bengal, Deccan and Tamil Country during the Gupta period were associated with which of the following?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept Ancient India was a global leader in manufacturing, with different regions specializing in specific commodities that were exported worldwide.

Explanation During the Gupta period, centers in Gujarat, Bengal, Deccan, and Tamil Country were famous for textile manufacture. Bengal produced fine 'Muslin', while Gujarat was a hub for silk and cotton brocade.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Gujarat: Centers like Bharuch and Cambay exported fine cotton and silk to Rome and Persia.
Logic 2: Bengal: Towns like Tamralipti were famous for Muslin, a fabric so fine it was highly valued in the Roman Empire.
Logic 3: Tamil/Deccan: Known for high-quality dyed cotton and silk fabrics exported to Southeast Asia and China.

Active Recall

Question

What fine fabric was Bengal specifically famous for in ancient times?

Answer

Bengal was famous for producing Muslin, a very fine and lightweight cotton fabric.

Core Insight

The geographic spread of these centers shows that the Gupta economy was deeply integrated with maritime trade, where textiles were the premier export item.