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IGNOU HISTORY NOTES : Modern India -EXPANSION OF TRADE AND URBAN CENTRES

IGNOU HISTORY Study Notes for IAS, UPSC Exams

Modern India 1857-1964

EXPANSION OF TRADE AND URBAN CENTRES

Structure

30.0 Objectives
30 1 Introduction
30.2 Types of Trade
30.2.1 Local trade
30.2.2 Long distance overland trade
30.2.3 Long distance overseas trade
30.3 Aspects of commercial organisation
30.4 Exchange Facilities
30.5 Coins as media of Exchange
30.5.1 Local Coins
30.5.2 Punch-marked coins
30.5.3 Roman Coins
30.6 Revenue From Trade
30.7 Weights and Measures
30.8 Urban Centres
30.9 The Impact of Trade and Urban Centres on Society
30.10 Let Us Sum Up
30.11 Key Words
30.12 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises.

30.0 OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the Unit is to discuss briefly the different dimensions of the expansion of trade and urban centres in south India from 200 B.C. 300 A.D. This Unit will focus on the kingdom of the Satavahanas and the regions far south under the Cheras, the Cholas and the Pandyas as well as the local Chieftains who were less important. After reading this Unit you will be able to know about:

the nature of exchange which determined the character of trade at various levels in early peninsular India,
transport and communication facilities,
coins as media of exchange in trade;
the interest of political authorities in trade,
urban Centres in South India, and
the impact of trade and urbanization on the society of early peninsular India.

30.1 INTRODUCTION

In Unit 29 you read about agrarian settlements and agrarian society. In this Unit we shall discuss other such aspects of economy as trade and urbanisation which helped bringing about significant changes in the society of early peninsular India. In peninsular India,

growth of trade and emergence of urban centres were not isolated phenomena but were very much associated with the other important changes which
were taking place in the region. They were generated by:

changes within society in different parts of peninsular India caused by growth of agriculture in the major river valleys. To an extcnt this was connected with iron technology of peninsular Megalithic culture (see Unit) and with irrigation. In some parts agricultural surplus appears to have been available.
Mauryan expansion in peninsular India led to greater contact with the north and to movement of traders, merchants and others. This is suggested by the advantages of the southern route (dakshina-patha) highlighted in the Arthasastra. There were further contacts along the coasts. Earlier system and network of exchange in peninsular India thus underwent major changes.