Explain the system of land grants and trade from 600 BCE to 600 CE.

1.	Explain the system of land grants and trade from 600 BCE to 600 CE.
Answer» Solution :System of Land grants: (i) Information available from stone inscriptions and copper plates. It was made to religiues institutions. (ii) The Agrahara grants were made toBrahamanas . Samantas were also given land. (iii) Prabhavati Gupta, example of Agrahara grant made by a women is an exception. (iv) Land grant were astrategy to extend agricuulture and Brahmanical practiesin new areas. It also indicates weakening central power and the ruler.s attempt to win ALLIES. Systems of Trade: (a) Punch marked coins (silver and copper) encouraged trade. Inland and overland trade existed. (b) Various RIVER, land routes in the subcontinents were USED for trade. Overland and maritime trade was with central Asia, North Africa, and WEST Asia. (c) Peddlars travelled on foot whereas merchants on bullock cart with caravans. (d) Seafaring trades were HIGHLY successeful but risky. Rich merchant communities are described in Parkrit (Pali) and Tamil. (e) Items like salt, grain, cloth, timber, spices and medicinal plants were traded.

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