write a short note on the nature of trade and industry during mauryan Times
Answers
For the first time in South Asia, political unity and military security encouraged a common economic system, increased agricultural productivity, and enhanced trade and commerce. Before the Mauryan Empire, the Indian subcontinent was fragmented into hundreds of kingdoms, many small armies, powerful regional chieftains, who engaged in internecine warfare.
Industries
Mauryan made a bid in industrial growth. Megasthenes has pointed out that city boards tried to promote manufacture of industrial goods. The Jatakas mention 18 types of industries. Lower Bengal was famous for production of fine muslin and silk textiles. Gandhara was famous for wooden industry. Magadha specialized in iron and Rajputana for copper. Salt was produced in coastal Bengal and in the salt range of Punjab. Gold was produced in South India. Kautilya was aware of the importance of mines and he regarded the iron mines as one of the chief source of Magadha power.
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