History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c33.s7.t2.1

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.