Trade Relations of Indus Valley Civilization
Trade with Foreign countries
The Indus people were greatly reliant on trade. They traded with many different civilizations like Persia, Mesopotamia and China. They were also known to trade in the Arabian Gulf region, central parts of Asia, portions of Afghanistan and northern and western India. Some goods that were traded were terracotta pots, beads, gold, silver, colored gems like turquoise and lapis lazuli, metals, flints, seashells and pearls.
Trade relations with Mesopotamia
The Indus Valley people had trade relations with Mesopotamia. The trade relationship during the later 3rd millennium was a direct one, ship from Meluhha docked in Mesopotamian ports, some Meluhhans settled in Sumer, and there is a seal belonging to a Mesopotamian whose job it was to act as an interpreter of the Meluhhan language. On the other hand, people from Mesopotamia reached the Indus, so it is clear that the Harappans conducted the trade between two civilizations.
Trade of Agricultural products
With the rivers surrounding their area, the land was fertile and they used to cultivate many crops such as Barley, Wheat, Melon seeds and oil crops like Sesame, Mustard, and Dates. These were traded by farmers with the other people. Cotton was also cultivated and was traded to make cloth out of it, which was also marketed. The people of Indus valley civilization knew how to make things from mud and clay. The city workers used to make Pots, Plates, and glasses out of mud and clay to sell them. The traders would bring the materials that workers need and collect the finished goods for trade.
Trade of Art Forms
Unearthed ornaments and the accessories made out of Seashells, Pearls, and beads were also traded. The Harappan people even made Terracotta Pots and painted them to trade. Coloured gemstones such as turquoise, lapis and lazuli were also sold by them. Metals and tools made up of flint stones were the main articles traded.
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