History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c33.s7.t2: Gupta Period
History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c33.s7.t2
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Gupta Period
v1.c33.s7.t2.1
Internal and foreign trade expanded to a remarkable degree, during this period (4th-6th century A.D.). Many uninhabited regions had been settled, transport was better organized and trade routes more closely linked. The economic specialization of various areas and zones made exchange of commodities essential. Under the Guptas the state had devoted particular attention to the construction of roads and communications. Yet the exchange between various parts of the country was still of limited nature. Roads were not always suitable for long journeys and traders encountered a good many problems. Rivers were now being made much fuller use of. This applied in particular to the Ganges and the Indus.
v1.c33.s7.t2.2
The Ganges Valley was the principal trade area from which branched off trade routes leading to many parts of the country. The main trade centres in that area were Bṛhukkaccha (Barygaz) in the west, Patiālā in the Indus delta, Puṣkalavatī in the North-West and Tāmralipti (modern Tamluk) in the east. In Eastern India, Varanasi, Kauśāmbī and Pāṭaliputra and Ujjain were well known for their high quality wares.
v1.c33.s7.t2.3
Fehien’s travel to the various Buddhist places and his account attest to existence of good roads and transport system during the Gupta period. In the course of his travel he visited Vaiśakha, Napikā, Kapilavastu, Ramagrāma, Kusinagara, Vaiśālī, Pāṭaliputra, Rājagrha, Gayā, Vārānasi, Kauśāmbī, Campā. He further states that the roads were safe, whereas two centuries later Hieun Tsang was twice assaulted.
Linked texts (1)
- 玄奘 — Classical Chinese