How do we know that trade and commerce was a very important feature of the Indus Valley
Civilisation? Give examples to support your answer
Answers
Trade & commerce was definitely a very important feature of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC). Even though majority of the population indulged in agriculture, manufacturing (pots, beads, bronze items, precious gems & jewelries ), all this formed a very strong base for trade & commerce.
There are numerous evidences to suggest the primacy of trade & commerce in the Indus valley economy :
a. Even though IVC had a very strong agrarian & rural hinterlands, the cities were the important hubs and the urban nature of the civilization is self-evident from the excavations of numerous prominent cities. Urban economy, as it is in contemporary times also, depend less on agriculture activities and more on manufacturing,trade & commerce. This indicates strongly that IVC was a trade dominant economy.
b. The IVC cities such as Harappa, Mohenjadaro had great granaries that probably stored food grains in huge quantities. The presence of these granaries almost on the banks of rivers flowing shows that they were exported through the riverine routes.
c. The seals of IVC , which are essentially in rectangular shapes with embossed shapes on them, were probably used to make the mark of the merchant who supplied or acquired the goods. The presence of many such seals in almost all cities of the IVC points out that trade was important part of the economy.involved in extensive internal and external trade. Some of the seals found, such as :
-the Persian Gulf seal found at Lothal (port city) shows that IVC was involved in long distance maritime trade with the erstwhile civilizations of the Persian Gulf.
-the cylindrical seals of Mesopotamian civilizations found in the remains of many cities of IVC shows that Mesopotamia was a major trade partner of the IVC. Also there is a Mesopotamian inscription of the time, which mentions boats carrying cotton come from the Indus.
Similarly, the IVC traded extensively with other Indian cultures, such as Chalcolithic cultures etc, for copper, precious stones, etc.
c. Another evidence can be suggested that since there are very few weapons found in the Indus valley, they were not essentially a warrior led, war-preferring community. Merchants & businessmen usually prefer peace, as it is good for the trade. Therefore one can arrive at a conclusion that this peace loving civilization was dominated by merchants & traders.
d. Another astonishing and conclusive evidence is the trade outpost of Indus Valley Civilization at Shortugai (now in Afghanistan). This was an outpost of sort where goods were collected and then exported.
There are many more evidences and researches of renowned experts and historians to suggest that Indus valley was a trade & commerce dominant economy.
Answer:
Explanation:
Trade & commerce was definitely a very important feature of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC). Even though majority of the population indulged in agriculture, manufacturing (pots, beads, bronze items, precious gems & jewelries ), all this formed a very strong base for trade & commerce.