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INDIAN ECONOMY AND
POLICIES ASSIGNMENT 2
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Saurabh Bose
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INDIAN ECONOMY AND POLICIES ASSIGNMENT 2

The role of climate change in shaping or de-shaping of ancient

Indian civilization.
Harappa civilisation which started in 3500BC was built along the banks of
the Indus river.River system used to be the most important life support
system for any civilization to grow and so was the case in Harappa
Civilization. Civilizations come and go, but environment is what shapes the
story of humans. The Himalayas caused the initial monsoons to occur in
India, and when the monsoon failed the civilisation also failed. The drying
up of the river eventually caused the end of the Harappa civilisation.
Around 2000BC there was a major climate change which substantially
reduced the monsoon and dried the rivers. There was a change in the
direction of flow of the rivers eastwards in the ganges plane and that
resulted in the end of the Harappa Civilization.
Importance of Greek sailor Hippalus journey to India and the
interlinkage of monsoon and the spice trade route
Around 45 A.D, monsoons were discovered by Hippalus (Greek captain) and the discovery
that, monsoons could sail ships from Alexandria to Western India in just a 40-days period,
tremendously increased the Roman sea-trade, due to shortening of trade-route.The Romans
were great connoisseurs of spices. They indulged in spices in every imaginable combination
for their food, beverages, and pleasure. They bathed in water mixed with aromatics, scented
their homes with the fragrance of cardamom, slept on pillows filled with saffron, and
peppered their food with Oriental spices. Of all the spices, the hot and pungent taste of pepper
became very popular. For the rulers of the sprawling Roman Empire, possession of spices
added to their prestige. The utility of monsoon winds for sailing ships considerably reduced
the importance of Arabia's overland spice routes and brought Roman contenders on the
scene.Having learnt the fundamental secrets of the monsoons, theRomans built ships and
eventually broke the Arab monopoly of the Indian trade. The Romans had secured control
over trade with India, and the main ports of call Cochin, Pondicherry, and Kolkata.

Silk Route and the Invasion of the Kushans

The story of Kushanas start in Kabul, where they made their capital. They
controlled the trade and commerce of the silk route. When they came to India
and started ruling they adopted Buddhism as their religion. The Kushans were

mighty conquerors and the Kushana Empire stretched to a vast extent including the entire
parts of Northern and northwestern India. Kushana Empire not only extended within the
limits of India, but also to the countries of Central Asia. Economic developments were at its
heights during the Kushana rule. Kushan kings were the one who introduced the first gold
coins of India. Under their rule, northwest India participated both in seagoing trade and in
commerce along the Silk Road between China and the Mediterranean. By positioning
themselves at the center of the Silk Road, midway between China and India in the east and
the Mediterranean world in the west, the Kushans became a world power second only to

INDIAN ECONOMY AND POLICIES ASSIGNMENT 2

China and Rome and the first unified force in Afghanistan to dispense rather than receive
authority. Their trade with China, central Asia, Egypt and Rome made their economy very
strong and kingdom wealthy and prosperous.

The invasion of India by Mahmud of Ghazni initiated what is known as the Great clash
of civilization the great religion of Islam meeting the incumbent religion of Hinduism
in India. What is the outcome of this clash? What role does the Sufi saint play in this
clash of civilization?
Mahmud never once tried to establish rule in India. His sole intention was to ransack Hindu
temples, which he did repeatedly with great success in Somnath, Ujjain and Dwarka. His
motive was to destroy the glories of Hindus and expose Islam and spread the same. In order
to accomplish this he captured the forts and towns of Khyber, looted the kingdoms and killed
people mercilessly. He invaded several other places during his reign.
Mahmud led a dozen wars on India to plunder and capture Indias wealth and he succeeded
on his 12th attempt and was able to build an empire in India. During his initial years in his rule
Hindu idols were destroyed and Hindus were tortured.
The sufis were the first who brought Islam and the people of India together, Sufism put
impetus that people shoukd strive to be with god without striving for association. Through the
sufis, both the Hindu religion and Islam found a common ground. It had put more importance
to unity of all being which led to the intermingling of all cultures and religion.

How did the Mughals governed such a large empire? Did the Britain learnt some lessons
of governance from the Mughals?
Mughals could govern such a large empire because they relaised the diversity and cultures of
the nation. They started accepting Hinduism in India instead of attempting to convert Indians
into Islam. The Mughal Emperors attained great power in India in the 16 th and 17th centuries.
They controlled a major chunk of what is now called as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and
Afghanistan. The first Mughal emperor Babur founded the empire which was sophisticated
civilization based on religious toleration. He gave approval to build Hindu temples. This
brought in the Hindu culture. The importance of slavery under his reign diminished and peace
was made with the Hindu kingdoms of Southern India. Baburs grandson Akbar believed that
all religions should be tolerated, and that a ruler's duty was to treat all believers equally,
whatever their belief. He brought the culture that a non-Muslim will not be forced to practice
Islamic laws. He also ended taxes that were imposed on non-Muslims. Jahangir readopted
Islam as the state religion and continued the policy of religious toleration. His court included
large numbers of Indian Hindus, Persian Shias and Sufis. Aurangzeb ruled for nearly 50
years. Aurangzeb was a very observant and religious Muslim who ended the policy of

INDIAN ECONOMY AND POLICIES ASSIGNMENT 2

religious tolerance followed by earlier emperors. The last Mughal Emperor was deposed by
the British in 1858.