A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c7.35

c7.35

'The low-lying plains bordering the sea throughout the whole length of western India from Kathiawar promontory to Cape Comorin represented in medieval ages most of the wealth and strength of India, and are still noted for their great fertility. Ancient ports and factories (Arab, Portuguese, and Dutch) are to be found scattered along the coastline, and amid the palm groves of Malabar are many relics of the days when the commerce of the East centred on this coast.' Historically, there has been a striking contrast between the relative political isolation of this coastal country from the rest of India and its generally active contact by sea with the nations of the outside world—the Roman empire, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese and the rest.