| Questions surrounding sea-going trade in Early Historic Gujarat are discussed in this dissertation. It is argued that small ports, functioning independently beyond the regulated control of a larger political power, contributed significantly to an international trading sphere in the Arabian Sea during this time. Three types of inquiry were included in this study: (a) an historical text, The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, (b) an ethnographic survey of traditional maritime communities along the Gujarat coastline, and (c) Early Historic ceramics from Gujarat. A model of sea-going trade is developed to guide the synthesis of material gathered in this study.; The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea was examined for information concerning trade routes and specialization in exports that may have taken place in the first centuries AD. The ethnoarchaeological survey focused on coastal towns where wooden ships were built. Particular attention was given to the traditions of the Kharva sailing community. Pottery dating to the Early Historic Period in Gujarat, Red Polished Ware and associated ceramics, was analyzed. The study included published pottery from Early Historic excavation reports, and unpublished pottery from the storerooms of the Gujarat Department of Archaeology. RPW was considered important not only because its presence in an excavation delineates a time period, but also because it represents a major change in ceramic technology and economic trends in Gujarat. Trading and seafaring communities from small, rural ports are found to be vital participants in long distance trade in both the ancient and modern worlds. |
