Theory and Practice of Muslim State in India c8.s7.4

c8.s7.4

Internal and external trade, royal workshops and private manufactories provided for the requirements of royalty and nobility and their harems. Silk was imported from many foreign countries like China and Persia as well as produced indigenously. Manucci and Bernier talk in general terms, but Abul Fazl gives specific names of cotton, silk and woolen fabrics, Indian as well as those imported from "Turkey, Europe and Portugal".¹⁹² Vincent Smith quoting Monserrate's *Commantarious* says that "Akbar himself was a trader, and did not disdain to earn commercial profits."¹⁹³ By the time of Shahjahan more and more foreign stuffs had begun to be imported.¹⁹⁴ Woolen carpets or *qalins* were also imported from Iran and Central Asia.