India's Oversea Trade as known from the Buddhist Canon
By Madan Mohan Singh
Summary
Drawing on Buddhist canonical literature, this article reconstructs aspects of ancient India’s maritime trade. Jataka tales and sutta passages describe merchants embarking on lengthy sea voyages carrying rice, textiles, gems and elephants. Ports such as Bharukaccha, Tamralipti and Supparaka emerge as major hubs linking India with Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. The narratives mention guild leaders who sponsor monasteries, reflecting the close ties between commerce and religion. The article argues that while didactic, these texts mirror historical realities of extensive seafaring and corroborate archaeological evidence. Maritime metaphors used by the Buddha to teach ethical lessons further underscore the cultural integration of trade and spirituality.
Conclusion
The Buddhist canon offers valuable glimpses into ancient Indian overseas commerce. Its references to ships, ports and merchants complement archaeological findings, highlighting the scale of trade and its integration into religious discourse.