Amazingly and efficient Trade Logistics in Ancient India can be an inspirstion to modern logistics

 

Silk route was a network of many roads that merchants used for the trade of silk, and spices. for exchange with not only China, but also with Japan, Persia, and many other countries. It was prominent till the end of the Kushan Empire in India which then was replaced by safer sea routes. China has started revive of the ancient silk route. (December 28, 2016   http://www.iiiem.in/blog/amazingly-efficient-trade-logistics-in-ancient-india/)

The Grand route, or the Grand Trunk Road or the G.T Road was bulit during the Mauryan Empireand Sher Shah Suri extended the road to great length during the sixteenth century.. from the modern day Bangladesh in the east to Afghanistan in the west. ‘The route was a lifeline to facilitate uninterrupted trade between India and Western Asia.’

 ‘Over 90% of the trade was via sea routes from a large number of ports like Lothal in the present day Gujarat, to Surat, Sopara , Vizag ontrading to the Mediterranean Sea and to many Southeast Asian countries for saling gold, spices, cotton, and many more goods that are valuable. They were taken to Mesopotamia, Egypt, Africa, Arabian Peninsula and many other regions of the world via sea routes across the Indian Ocean. during the rule of Pallavas, Cholas and the Chalukyas The trade reached its pinnacle. http://www.iiiem.in/blog/amazingly-efficient-trade-logistics-in-ancient-india/)

Following list will make the subject more pointed :

India had Imports like

Raw Materials

• Gold: Afghanistan and Karnataka
• Silver: Afghanistan and Iran
• Copper: Oman, Baluchistan and Rajasthan
• Lead: East or south India
• Lapis lazuli: Baluchistan and Afghanistan
• Fuchsite: Northern Karnataka
• Amethyst: Maharashtra
• Agate: Baluchistan and Gujarat
• Chalcedony: Baluchistan and Gujarat
• Carnelian: Baluchistan and Gujarat
• Jade: Central Asia
• Turquoise: Baluchistan and Iran
• Shell: Gujarat, Karachi and Oman
• Ivory: Gujarat and Punjab
• Mother of Pearl: Oman
• Wool: Mesopotamia
• Incense: Mesopotamia

Manufactured Goods

• Carved chlorite containers: Baluchistan and Iran
• Green schist containers: Baluchistan and Iran
• Fuchsite containers: Baluchistan and Afghanistan

Exports

Raw Materials

• Gold: Mesopotamia
• Silver: Mesopotamia
• Bronze: Mesopotamia
• Ebony
• Ivory: Oman
• Indigo: Oman
• Wood: Oman
• Livestock: Oman
• Grain: Oman
• Fresh fruit: Oman

Manufactured Goods

• Carnelian beads: Mesopotamia
• Shell inlays: Mesopotamia
• Shell bangles: Mesopotamia
• Lapis lazuli: Mesopotamia
• Bone inlays
• Clarified Butter: Oman
• Pickled vegetables: Oman
• Pickled fruits: Oman
• Honey: Oman
• Chert weights: Oman
• Wine: Oman

Manufactured Objects

• Gold
• beads
• pendants
• amulets
• brooches
• needles
• ornaments
• Silver
• large utensils
• buckles
• Ivory
• combs
• carved cylinders (for seals, small sticks and pins)
• Shell
• beads
• bracelets
• decorative inlays
• Steatite beads
• bracelets
• buttons
• vessels
• faience
• amulets
• sealings
• Faience bangles
• rings
• miniature animals
• pots
• Terracotta
• animals
• toy carts
• whistles
• rattles
• birds and animals
• gamesmen
• discs
• beads
• Agate
• beads
• Carnelian
• beads
• Chalcedony weights

Manufacturing Areas
Kalibangan

• steatite beads

Saraikhola

• lapis lazuli beads

Chanhudaro

• shell and bone artefacts

Dholavira

• carnelian bead processing

Lothal

Mehergarh

• painted pottery
• steatite ornaments
• faience ornaments
• metal tools
• agate and carnelian beads
• inlaid objects

Harappan Ports

• Lothal
• Sutkagen-dor
• Sotka-koh
• Balakot

Chalcolithic   http://www.ancientindia.co.uk/staff/resources/background/bg23/home.htmlFollowing table gives how cities grew in anient India

 

	Typesite	Settlement	Houses	Features	Artefacts
Early Indus	Mundigak II	Compact		Well Hearths	Handmade pottery; crude stone isc seal
	Mundigak III			Cemetery at the foot of the mound outside the living area	Wheel made pottery; increase in copper and bronze; TC figures and stone seals
	Mundigak IV	Town		Defence walls; square bastions; use of sun dried bricks