A Holistic Analysis of Trade in Malwa during the Mughal Period: Routes, Markets and Merchandise

Mughal period was the era of industrial development and economic growth. Mughal rulers encouraged trade, commerce and industry. In order to facilitate long distance trade, Mughal sovereigns facilitated Infrastructural development in their dominions. India went through rapid industrial development during this era. The biggest industries included textile, metalwork, Leather, Sugar, paper, glass, tile, shipbuilding, Ivory and Perfumery. Malwa Suba had witnessed massive infrastructural as well as industrial development during the Mughal rule. Sources such as Chahar Gulshan and Khulasat-ut-Tawarikh mentions the roads, bridges, sarais, etc. constructed by the Mughal administration along the important highways which were major trade routes. The growth of textile industry was witnessed in the Mughal period. The economic policies of Mughal administration and the political stability provided by the Mughal rule played a significant role in the flourishing of textile industry in Malwa Suba during the 17th century. The most important centres of textile industry in Malwa Suba were Sehore, Sironj, Sarangpur, Chanderi and Mandsaur. The above-mentioned cities were part of important highways constructed by the administration to facilitate transport of raw material and distribution of textile products. The most popular textile products which were manufactured in Malwa were Muslin, Chintz and Do-dami.