UPSC CSE Pre 2020

Ancient Indian Maritime Trade

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were known as:

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept The Gupta period witnessed a flourish in international maritime commerce, with ports on both the Eastern and Western coasts facilitating trade with Rome, Southeast Asia, and China.

Explanation Historical texts identify Ghantasala and Kadura as prominent ports in the Southern/Eastern region, while Chaul (along with Kalyan and Broach) served the Western coast.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: These towns are consistently cited in trade records as 'Emporia' or maritime outlets.
Logic 2: Ghantasala and Kadura were located in the Krishna-Godaveri delta region, integral to the Bay of Bengal trade.
Logic 3: Chaul, near modern Mumbai, connected the Gupta empire to the Roman and Persian trade networks through the Arabian Sea.

Active Recall

Question

Which port was most significant in Bengal during the Gupta era?

Answer

Tamralipti was the primary port in Bengal for trade with China, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.

Core Insight

The strategic spread of ports from Bengal to Maharashtra highlights the pan-Indian reach of Gupta-era economic activity.