The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, announced at the G20 Summit, traces its historical roots to an ancient maritime trade route connecting the Indian subcontinent and Europe.
India- Europe: Glimpse into Historical Trade Route
- Early Discoveries: Early digs helped to establish the commercial routes between Rome and India in antiquity. The 1930s and 1940s investigation at Arikamedu by Sir Mortimer Wheeler provided evidence of Indo-Roman trade in the first-century CE.
- Recent excavations: Ongoing archaeological digs, including those at Berenike in Egypt and Muziris in Kerala, continue to produce new information.
- However, early interpretations frequently ignored the role of Indian traders and shipowners in this commerce. Our understanding of this prehistoric commerce network has been widened and rectified by recent finds.
- The staggering size of the Red Sea commerce is shown by recent estimations. Up to one-third of the money coming into the Roman exchequer may have come from customs taxes on products coming from Ethiopia, Persia, and India.
Trade details
- Peak Period: Through the Red Sea, the Roman Empire and India were connected during the first and second century CE. Every year, this waterway saw hundreds of ships travelling in both directions.
- Traded Goods: The Romans had a high demand for exotic creatures like elephants and tigers as well as perfumes, ivory, pearls, and jewels that were produced in India. The popular Indian export of pepper, which was used in Roman cooking, was highly sought-after.
- Rome was not a major source of trade, but gold was a notable export from Rome to India. One prominent exception was the Indians’ appreciation of Roman wine.
Pre-Common Era Trade
- Early Indian Diaspora: There is evidence that throughout the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300– 1300 BCE), an Indian diaspora existed in the Middle East. Early trade was limited to lesser quantities of goods and largely coastal.
- Trade Expansion in the Roman Period: The Romans directly connected the subcontinent and the Roman Empire, which allowed for a tremendous increase in trade. Romans were crucial in the industrialization of this trade.
- Peak after Conquest: The opening of the road to India by the Romans in the first and second century CE resulted in a significant growth in trade.
Organization and Duration of Journeys
- Highly Organized Trade: Agreements were made between shippers in Alexandria and Indian merchants in Kerala. Similar to contemporary methods, goods were transported in containers with references to insurance.
- Understanding Monsoons: Indians were able to traverse the route well by recognizing the seasonal cycles of the monsoon winds. It took roughly six to eight weeks to get to Egypt, depending on how well the winds were blowing.
- Extended Stays: The Indian diaspora rented homes in Egyptian ports while they waited for the wind to change so that Indian culture might be incorporated into these areas.
Roles of Indians in the Trade
- Indian Seafaring Culture: The Ajanta paintings and early Indian coin designs with ships show that Indian dynasties were interested in seafaring.
- Indian Sailors: In the Hoq caves on the island of Socotra, graffiti written by Indian sailors, particularly Gujaratis from Barigaza (modern-day Bharuch), has been found, highlighting their active participation in the trade network.
Compared with the Silk Road
- Indian Centrality: The Indian subcontinent, which served as ancient Asia’s economic and cultural centre, and its ports were important sites for East-West maritime trade. The idea of the “Silk Road” is somewhat modern, and it represents the old trading routes incorrectly.
- History Ignorance: The Silk Road idea was developed in the late 19th century; it was not present in the ancient or medieval periods. It rose to prominence in the 20th century, promoting idealized notions of East-West connectedness.
- Recent politicization: The Belt and Road Initiative, led by Chinese President Xi Jinping, has politicized the Silk Road and made it a focal point of Chinese foreign policy.
