The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India c7.s2.10

c7.s2.10

Outflow of bullion adversely affected Indias balance of trade in another way. India had always been a seller of raw and finished goods against precious metals. She had swallowed up precious metals, both from the mineral resources of Tibet and Central Asia and from trade with the Islamic world⁵² Now this favourable position was lost. Indian merchants were even unable to ply their trade because of disturbed political conditions. One reason which had prompted Anandpal to send an embassy to Mahmud at Ghazni with favourable terms to the Sultan (C. 1012) was to try to normalize trade facilities, and after an agreement caravans (again) travelled in full security between Khurasan and Hind.⁵³ But the balance of trade for many years went on tilting in favour of the lands west of the Indus.