Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c6.s2.t2.2

c6.s2.t2.2

In the absence of modern nautical appliances and the use of steamships, a voyage on the sea was obviously full of real dangers, not the least from the sea pirates. But in spite of all dangers, coastal trading was popular with the Indians, and Arabs and other foreign merchants carried on trade with many countries. The dangers of loss or destruction on the sea were more than compensated by the amount of profit one successful voyage brought with it. Some of the foreign traders even maintained their establishments and organizations in various countries. Inside the country the carriers of goods were very well organized. All these conditions led to a fairly extensive activity both in internal trade and in foreign commerce.