A History of Agriculture in India v2.c53.s3.2

v2.c53.s3.2

Arabia was situated between the old civilizations of India, Iran, China, Mesopotamia and Egypt, and any power which could control this Arabian bridge between the Orient, Europe and Africa could also control the vital trade-routes and the trade. The heavy taxation and misrule of the Byzantine Empire diverted the Chinese trade to Arabia, and the tribes flourished as never before. The Arab caravans took over the commodities from India near the present Aden, and further up also from Abyssinia. They brought this merchandise to Mecca. From Mecca the caravans passed through Medina and reached Damascus, which had become an emporium of the trade with Europe.