(i) India had traditionally been maintaining trade relations with other countries. During the early medieval period (i.e., from the tenth century onward), India carried trade with contemporary China, Arabia and Egypt. India also had a high stake in the sea trade between the Persian Gulf and the South China sea.

(ii) India imported silk, porcelain ware, camphor, cloves, wax, sandalwood etc., from China and Southeast Asia and horses from places such as Bahrain, Muscat, Aden, Persia etc.

(iii) India exported aromatics and spices, cotton cloth, ivory and precious and semi- precious stones etc.

(iv) During the Sultanate period, India had trade relations with Central Asia; Afghanistan, the Persian gulf and the Red sea. India mainly exported food grains, textile, slaves, indigo, precious stones etc., whereas it imported precious metals like gold and silver, horses, brocade and silk etc.

(v) During the Mughal period India witnessed further intensification of her foreign trade owing to the advent of the European trading companies and their direct participation in the Euro-Asian and Intra-Asian trade.

(vi) India had trade relations with central Asia, Persia and Europe. Her major exports included textiles, saltpetre, sugar, opium and spices.

(vii) In comparison to her export, her imports were limited to a few select commodities like silver, silk, porcelain, good quality wine, carpets, perfume, glass, watches, silver utensils, horses etc.