Abstract
The concept of trade in ancient India was quite different from modern times. In olden day’s mariners, artisans, traders, Buddhist monks and religious leaders used to set sail together and this trend continued till the advent of modern shipping. The representation of art on the walls of the caves, stupas and temples enlighten us regarding their joint ventures, experiences and problems faced during the sea voyages. The finding of varieties of pottery, punch marked and Roman coins, Brahmi and Kharoshti inscriptions along the ports, trade centres and Buddhist settlements suggest the role played by them in maritime trade during the early historical period and later. Mariners of India were aware of the monsoon wind and currents for more than two thousand years if not earlier. Furthermore, the study shows that the maritime contact with Southeast Asian countries was seasonal and no changes of Southwest and Northeast monsoon have been noticed since then. This paper details the types of pottery, beads, cargo found at ports, trade routes and Buddhist settlements along the east coast of India and the role of monsoons in maritime trade. The impact of Buddhism on trade and society of the region are also discussed.
Highlights
The seafarers of India had the knowledge of the sea pertaining to wind, currents, tides, weather conditions and shipbuilding since the 3rd millennium BC
Scholars are of the opinion that the liberal principles of Buddhism, development of shipping technology, state control of trade, industry and agriculture were accountable for the beginning of maritime trade between India and Southeast Asia
The trade contacts of India with Southeast Asian countries contributed to the growth of socio-economic conditions of both the regions
Summary
The seafarers of India had the knowledge of the sea pertaining to wind, currents, tides, weather conditions and shipbuilding since the 3rd millennium BC. Rouletted ware sherds with Tamil-Brahmi, Brahmi, Sri Lankan Brahmi, Kharoshti inscriptions and graffito marks have been recovered from sites of India, Red Sea coast and Southeast Asia Those could be the names of the traders or pot makers. The ports of embarkation were Tamralipti, Palur, Kalingapatnam, Dharanikota, Masulipatnam, Arikamedu, Poompuhar and Sopatma from where ships sailed a more southerly course to the north end of Sri Lanka they crossed the Bay of Bengal into the 10° degree channel aided by favourable wind and currents Afterwards they sailed towards the east of Sumatra and reached Java, Bali Island and other Southeast Asian countries by crossing Malacca Strait (Fig. 12) (Arunachalam, 1993: 59–66). During the period from November to February, the monsoon winds blowing from the Northeast helped the ships to sail from the east coast of India to Sri Lanka and other Southeast Asian countries. The problem of studies related to the circulation is whether the large scale mean wind field remains as the factor controlling the circulation or the local dynamics control and affect the whole system during such weather disturbances (Leetmaa and Bunker, 1978: 311–322)
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