The Trade of India

Summary

The Trade of India (up to the 2nd century CE) details ancient maritime trade networks along India's western and southern coasts. The Daksinapatha, an Andhra empire extending to the Ganges, included key ports like Bharukaccha (Barigaza), Pathana (Paithan), and Tagara (Teri). These ports exported corn, cotton, and muslin textiles, sourced from regions along the Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, and Pennir rivers. Bharukaccha faced competition from Andhra ports like Suppam and Kalliena, though the latter declined under Saka-Pallava rule. South of Daksinapatha lay Limyrike (Tamilakam), home to major ports like Tyndis (Tondi or Quilandy/Ponnani), Neura (possibly Cannanore), Muziris (Musiri on the Periyar), and Neleynda (Nirnom near Aleppey). These ports traded pepper, cotton, silk, and spices, importing metals, glass, and wine. Muziris, described in Tamil poetry, was a hub for Roman gold exchanges. Other Pandian ports included Pyrrhon, Balita, Comari (Cape Comorin), and Korkai, known for pearls and spikenard. The Cola-nagu region featured Argaru (Uragapuram), a pearl and muslin trade center, and ports like Camara, Poduca, and Sopatma, which handled large vessels. The Periplus notes limited trade beyond Korkai, mentioning eastern coast ports like Massala (Masulipatam) for muslins and Dosnrene (Orissa) for ivory