Emergence of Urban Settlements along the River Brahmaputra

This paper examines the importance of exchange networks in the Brahmaputra Valley from prehistoric times to the early historical period, emphasising the role of the Brahmaputra River as a link between urban settlements. Based on literary texts, archaeological data, and later-day British accounts, the study examines trade routes and commodities of exchange, challenging the perception of the region as lacking exchange and consumption centres. It also highlights the Brahmaputra Valley’s strategic location, as it acted as a link connecting various cultures, including Southeast Asia, and facilitated the movement of non-local raw materials such as Jadeite from Burma. This paper reviews the existing literature, particularly for the pre-5th century CE antecedents of socio-cultural developments in the Brahmaputra Valley. It also looks at the importance of routes from the Brahmaputra Valley into Tibet, China, and Burma, as seen in historical accounts. The research identifies key exchange centres such as Mahasthangarh and Bhamo, emphasising their roles in controlling trade routes and connecting the region with trans-oceanic and overland networks. Commodities of exchange, like luxury items such as aloe, sandalwood, silk, and spices, are reflected in the Arthasastra and the Periplus. The region is rich in biodiversity, forest produce, including animal products like musk deer and ivory, and plant products like timber and bamboo, are also discussed. The paper argues that the Brahmaputra Valley was not merely a destination point for traders but was a transitional route connecting Bengal to present-day Northern Myanmar and South China, with exchange centres playing a vital role in facilitating trade and cultural exchange.