Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c6.s2.t2.51

c6.s2.t2.51

2. *Trade through the Land Frontiers.*—The trade of India through its land frontiers is, as we have said, very old. In spite of the Mongol menace during most of this period, the caravans of merchants never ceased to come. In fact, the inhabitants of Turkistan and the Mongols themselves, whenever they found a respite from their more profitable occupation of raiding the territories of their neighbours, carried on an extensive trade in musk, furs, arms, falcons, camels, and horses.¹ We have already referred to the merchants of Khurasan, the Turkish and Chinese slaves, and a kind of cloth named *Shustari*, probably from Shustar. After the Mongols had ceased to be a menace, probably greater commercial activity was displayed through the land frontiers. Under Babur and Humayun, when the trade conditions could not be called normal or stable as far as these frontiers are considered, we find caravans coming to India from outside, and other references of contact. Under Akbar² and for a long time afterwards, the more peaceful conditions must have affected the trading activities in this part of India very favourably.