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permitted the Dutch to establish a trading post (set up by Kathiawad Seths or Mahajans).
there. Masulipatnam was a production center of The ‘hundis’ (financial instrument developed in
fine chintz, which was much in demand in the the medieval times for use in trade and credit
markets of Southeast Asia. transactions) of Surat were honored in markets of
Masulipatnam was and even today is famous for Cairo in Egypt, Basra in Iraq and Antwerp in
its Kalamkari work. The word means pen Belgium.
(Kalam) and work (kari). It refers to a method of Towards the end of the 17th century, Surat
painting natural and vegetable dyes on to cotton began to decline as the trade capital because of
or silk fabric with a bamboo pen. Masulipatnam many reasons like the decline of the Mughal
was a major trading center for kalamkari textiles. Empire and resulting in the loss of markets and
These textiles were exported to the Safavid productivity, control over the sea routes by the
Empire in Persia. Portuguese and competition from Bombay
When Bombay, Calcutta and Madras became (present day Mumbai) as the East India
trading posts of the Europeans, Masulipatnam Company shifted its headquarters there in 1668.
lost its importance. However, Surat is a bustling commercial center
SURAT of Gujarat today.
The city of Surat was cosmopolitan as people of TRADERS AND CRAFTSMEN
all castes and creeds lived there. During the There were both small and big traders in towns.
Mughal period, Surat, Cambay (present day The small traders operated in a limited area. The
Khambhat) and later Ahmedabad carried out big ones owned large fleets of ships and traded in
trade with the west. It was also called the gate to many goods.
Mecca as the pilgrim ships set sail from here. In Spices and textiles were the most traded items.
the 17th century, the Protuguese, the Dutch and These were sold to traders in the ports of the Red
the English set up their factories and warehouses Sea, Persian Gulf, Southeast Asia and China.
in Surat. Textile industry of Surat has been Indian spices such as pepper, Cinnamon and
famous for its Zari Work (intricate art of weaving Nutmeg reached Europe. The traders involved in
threads of fine gold and silver) and has a market this trade reaped huge profits.
in West Asia, Africa and Europe. Architecture of Traders generally travelled in caravans. They also
the city included magnificent buildings, many rest formed guilds to protect their interests. The
houses, pleasure parks, huge banking houses banjaras were a trading group. They travelled
Zari Work Pepper
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