A. Popular internal trade items included: iron, copper, salt, pepper, spices, condiments, and special crops, such as rice. Some of these goods traveled long distances throughout the subcontinent. The reason for the popularity of these items was that only certain regions had large and useful amounts of these materials.

B. Important bodies of water in trade were the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, the Red Sea and the South China Sea. Many of important trade routes extended along the coasts of Africa and Arabia. China and India also had important trade routes with the Maluku Islands, Philippines, Borneo, and Sumatra. Plenty of trade also occurred between coastal African cities, such as Mombasa, and coastal Indian cities, such as Quilon and Calicut.

C. Specialized products made for the Indian market included: cotton textiles, refined sugar, tanned leather, carved stones, and woven carpets. Indian artisans were the main individuals behind these special products. Iron and steel were also special industries due to the precise craftsmanship of the artisans.

Trade

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