IN ancient times, India was a great sea power. The Pallavas and the Cholas in the south were pioneers in maintaining naval fleets and undertaking sea voyages. The Indian fleet played an important role in the establishment of the Srivijaya Empire and the Sailendra dynasty. In the 7th century, Indian rulers had their fleets sailing from Sind to Malabar and from Cape Comorin to the ports on the eastern coast. According to Strabo, the celebrated scholar, 120 ships sailed from India in a single season from one major port alone.
Roman traders visited South India often and caravans of traders travelled frequently by road and sea routes. The markets of Madurai were famous for selling diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, crystal, topaz, gomeda, cat’s eye, firestone, pearls and corals. As the shops here were stocked with cotton, silk and pepper, traders paid regular visits to this town.
The sea trade reached its zenith during the Mauryan period. Shipping on the eastern coast extended from the Bay of Bengal to the Indus river. The western coast of India too was a great trade centre. Gujarat exported indigo, Malwa exported pearls, ivory and coral while Cambay, Bharoach and Surat sent their cardamom and cotton across the seas.
