Economic Condition:

(1) Agriculture:

The Indian economy of the period 1000 to 1200 A.D. was also predominantly agrarian. Majority of the people lived in villages and earned their living through agriculture.

The activities of giving land and bringing new land under cultivation continued as before. Literary sources mention the cultivation of 17 different types of grain in this period. Rice, barley, fruits, sugarcane, cotton, wheat pulses, til etc. were main food crops. Irrigation was done mainly through Persian-wheel and ponds. Magadh and Kalinga were famous for rice and Kashmir for fruits.

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(2) Industry:

Many industries flourished in India during this period (a) Industries were based on guilds. Cloth industry flourished in many places. Cotton clothes were manufactured mainly in Gujarat, Multan, Kalinga, Bengal and Malwa. Punjab and Kashmir were famous for woolen cloth (b) Iron industry was also in progress in this period. Indians had and advanced knowledge of constructing Iron pillar, weapons, and household articles. Iron Pillar of Dhar is very famous. According to Johan Haukal, “Deveal was famous for making swords.” (c) Salt-Salt was manufactured by common method during this period.

The copper plates of Rampala and Bhoja Varman mention the word “Salavonah” which means that land was given as a gift along with the mines of salt. Salted mud was put in water and was filtered. Water was evaporated and salt settled down at the bottom, (d) Sculpture-High Quality artistic pieces were carved on stones particularly for the temples were made throughout India. During this period statues were made of stones along with those of metals. In the Chola period statues were made of Ashtadhatus (eight metals) (e) Pottery-during this period various types of clay utensils, toys and statues were built. Clay seals have been unearthed in abundance in Kashi which show that potters were very skilled in making and selling clay objects, (f) Ornaments making- In the Chola Empire and in many parts of the country the work of studding the jewels was also done along with manufacture of many costly ornaments. The Arab travelers have made a mention of gold and silver vessels in the palace of Lakshman Sen. It means that costly and beautiful ornaments of gold and other costly materials were made and sold, (g) Other Industries-During this period ‘Gur’ sugar, liquor, oil etc. were made on large scale. Wood and leather work was also in vague.

(3) Trade and Commerce:

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(a) Foreign Trade:

The Seaborne trade of India declined between the seventh and tenth centuries because of the decline of the Roman Empire and also of the Sassanid Efnpire of Persia but during 1000-1200 A.D. because of the spread of Islam and expansion of Arab Empire this resurgence of foreign trade proved most advantageous for Malwa and Gujarat. It is said that many cities of Malwa, like Champaner, had their foundation laid during this period. In this period Arabian sea trade was monopolised by the Arabs trading with India, A1 Masudi has mentioned about the trade between India and Kanfu (Canton) through the Eastern Sea.

Even from the Japanese sources we come to know of the presence of Indian traders in the Chinese Sea. According to them the credit for the introduction of cotton cultivation in Japan goes to two Indians who because of the pressure of sea waves reached Japan by mistake. Many Indian rulers particularly Palas and Senas of Bengal and Pallavas and Cholas of South India had sent their emissaries in the court of Chinese rulers in order to encourage trade relationship between the two states.

The Chinese trade was very advantageous for India. It is said that when the Malayan ruler freed to disrupt the Indo-Chinese trade, then the Chola ruler Rajendra I sent his navy and frustrated this effort of his. Probably because of the economic gain accruing from the trade, the taboos governing journey across the seas had no effort in this trade. On the Eastern Coast Tamsapami was the most famous Indian harbour.

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Trade with Arabia and other western countries was carried through the harbours situated on the western £»ast like Deval (Sind), Khambat, Thana, Sopara etc. Indian foreign trade was also carried on with Jawa, Sumatra, and Borneo etc. The port of Tamraparni or Tamralipli in Bengal was the chief centre of this trade. The port of Swarnadwipa in Indonesia and that Kataha in Malaya were the famous resting resort of the Indians.

(b) Import-Export:

According to the description of the Arab writer of nineth century, Ibu Khor Dadbeh, “Sandalwood, Camphor, Cloves, Cane, Indigo, Grapes, Ivory, Coconut, Velvet clothes and herbs of many types were exported from India on the basis of the account given by Ibu Rostch, black pepper, cardamoms, scent, hides, woolen clothes, ‘Kesar’ silk and horns of Rhinoceros were exported from India. India not only exported many products but imported also.

Literary sources tell us of the import of various condiments from South Eastern Asian countries probably to meet the increasing demand from the Eastern countries. From Central Asia and Western Countries horses of high breed, best quality wine, Chinese silk, date palms of Basra, Grapes from Cambodia, gold and silver from China were other imported products. It is said that during the thirteenth century, the Chinese Government had tried to impose restrictions on the export of gold and silver from China.

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(c) Foreign Trade through Land Route:

Along with seaborne trade, India also had foreign trade carried through land route. Trade with countries like Arabia, Persia and Central Asia was carried on via Sindh to Kabul or via the land route from Persia. The most famous commercial center of the land route was Afghanistan. Indian products went to Oreus Valley and Iraq from this route only.

(d) Decline of the Internal Trade:

Many historians talk of the decline of the internal trade of India during this period. Many causes are attributed to it. The population of the country was only 10 crores. The country lacked good road and secure commercial routes. At many places in the country there were thick forests the aboriginal tribes of which used to loot the traders passing through them. There were no bridges on the rivers.

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During the Rajput period feudal system became the prevailing system which proved a hindrance to the internal trade. The decline in internal trade during this period led to the decline of Trade Guilds which further accelerated the rate of decline of the internal trade.

Because of the decline in the import of gold and silver, the coins of copper and mixed metals became prevalent which also led to a fall in the transaction. Still internal trade continued through the land route and through boats. In the village’s barter system continued along with currency. In many areas in the country many castes performed the function of moving markets.

(e) Other changes in Trade:

Gradually the balance of foreign trade did not remain so much in favour of India as it was before because Chinese and Arabian ships were bigger and faster so Indian trade became lesser in their comparison. After the twelfth century situation again turned in India’s favour. Bengal and Southern India played the most important part in the trade of this period therefore these states became very prosperous.

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Because of developed industries, flourishing trade and agriculture the economic condition of India was good. The major part of the country’s wealth was concentrated in the ruling class and places of worship; so were the valuable metals. Common people were not rich but their life was not very difficult either.