Kumar A. Beyond Borders. Indo-Sasanian Trade and Its Central Indian Connections (Circa CE 300-700)

Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. — Palgrave, Macmillan 2023. — 245 p. — (Palgrave Studies in Ancient Economies). — ISBN 978-3-031-43592-8 ISBN 978-3-031-43593-5.This book examines the economic history of ancient South Asia by situating the Malwa region of Central India within Afro-Eurasian trade networks to illuminate the role of traders in the political, religious and economic processes connected with the Indo-Sasanian trade in the period of five centuries, circa CE 300–700. The book challenges the long-held centrality of the Roman factor in the South Asian economy by locating the Indo-Sasanian interactions in long distance economic networks with trade as a central feature. It considers the role and influence of traders as an understudied group affecting the contribution of the Indian economy to world system. Amidst rapidly changing political landscapes, traders of Indian and Sasanian origins are studied as conscious political beings, who formed ties with varieties of polities and religious communities to secure their commercial interests. In addition, their commercial interactions with their Sogdian (Central Asia) and Aksumite (East Africa) counterparts are analysed.
The book also considers the nature of trade routes and the specific connections between mercantile and religious networks, including patterns of construction of religious shrines and temples along trade routes. Integrating epigraphic, numismatic, literary and archaeological evidence, this book moves away from a marginal treatment of the Indo-Sasanian trade in Indian history, and demonstrates how regional economic history must address a plurality of causes, actors and processes in its assessment of the regional economy. The book will be of interest to students and academics of Indian economic history, as well as the ancient economies of South Asia more broadly.Introduction: A Step Away From the Long Shadow of Colonial Europe.
The Afro-Eurasian Economy.
Ancient India in the Afro-Eurasian World.
Theoretical Framework and Methodology.
Outline of the Book.
References.The Wider World of Indo-Sasanian Interactions.
Political Landscapes of Indo-Sasanian Interactions.
Sasanian Iran, Central Asia and Northwest India.
Western India, Sind and Malwa.
Sasanian Iran and India After Mihirakula.
Conclusion.
References.Trade Networks, Metallic Currency and the Huns in Early India.
The Huns and the Indo-Sasanian Coins.
Trade Networks in Central and Western India.
A Naigama’s Fight Against the Huns.
Conclusion.
References.The Commodities, the Producers and the Consumers: Defining Markets.
India and the Persian Gulf.
The Indo-Sasanian Trade.
Commodities, Their Producers and Consumers.
New Markets-The Sacred Centres.
Conclusion.
References.Christian and Sogdian Traders, and the Indo-Sasanian Trade.
Christian Traders in Iran, India and Sri Lanka.
Sogdian, Persian and Indian Traders.
Conclusion.
References.Trade Routes, Traders and the Making of the Sacred Landscapes.
Religious Sites in Malwa: In Cities and on Trade Routes.
Vidisha-Badoh-Eran.
Bagh-Mahishmati.
Dashapura-Nagari.
Intersection of Beliefs and the Making of ‘Ritual Economy’.
Traders, Seafarers and Their Saviour Divinities.
Conclusion.
References.India’s Ancient Economy: How Does This Book Differ From Available Writings?.
The Oriental Economy.
Economy of Buddhist India.
India’s Hindu Economy.
Hindu Imperialism.
Material Foundations of Ancient India.
Maritime Networks of Ancient India.
Conclusion.
References.Conclusion: Theorizing the Indo-Sasanian Trade.
Multi-Faith Participants.
Intersection Between Trade and Politics.
Professional Groups and Private Networks.
Multidimensional and Multidirectional Exchange.
References.Glossary.
Index.