Read the following excerpts carefully and answer the questions that follow:

The Malabar Coast (Present-day Kerala)

Here is an excerpt from Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, composed by an anonymous Greek sailor (c. first century CE) : They (i.e. traders from abroad) send large ships to these market-towns on account of the great quantity and bulk of pepper and malabathrum (possibly cinnamon, produced in these regions). These are imported here, in the first place, a great quantity of coin; topaz....antimony (a mineral used as a colouring substance), coral, crude glass, copper, tin, lead.....There is exported pepper, which is produced in quantity in only one region near these markets...Besides this there are exported great quantities of fine pearls, ivory, silk cloth.....transparent stones of all kinds, diamonds and sapphires and tortoise shell. Archaeological evidence of a bead-making industry, using precious and semiprecious stones, has been found in Kodumanal (Tamil Nadu). It is likely that local traders brought the stones mentioned in the Periplus from sites such as these to the coastal ports.

A. Explain the importance of Malabar Coast.

B. How did the exchange of goods take place? Explain with example.

C. Explain the working of the bead making industry.

D. Who used these land and river routes?

Solution

A. The importance of Malabar Coast: The Malabar coast (present day Kerala) was a center of foreign trade in first century CE during Christ. Various goods were exchanged between Indian industrialists/traders and foreigners visitors/ traders.
B. The traders of the foreign country send large ships to market towns of south India to import great quantity and bulk of pepper and malabathrum. The Indian traders use to import coin, topaz, antimony, coral, crude glass, copper, tin, land. On the other hand, the Indian traders exported pepper, fine pearls, silk clothes and transparent stones of all types, diamonds and sapphires as well as tortoise shell.
C. The working of bead making Industry: Archaeological evidence of a bead making industry, using precious and semi-precious stones, has been found in Kodumanal (Tamil Nadu). It is likely that local traders brought the stones mentioned in the Periplus from sites such as these to the coastal ports.
D. Land and river routes were used by foreign traders, Indian traders, and some industrialists. Local sellers and travelers also used these routes.