Consider the following statements with reference to early trade:

1. There are references of numerous river-ports in ancient India.

2. There were large entrepots of goods and traffic.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

The correct answer is option 3

Key Points

• There are references of numerous river-ports in ancient India:
  • True. Ancient Indian texts and archaeological evidence refer to several river-ports used for trade. Rivers like the Ganges, Indus, Sarasvati, and others were major trade routes for both internal and international trade.
  • Important ancient river ports like Pataliputra (Patna) and Mathura were known for their significant role in trade during ancient times.
• There were large entrepots of goods and traffic:
  • True. Ancient India had large entrepots (trading centers) that handled goods from various parts of the world.
  • Cities like Taxila, Ujjain, Arikamedu, and Tamralipti served as key centers of trade, acting as junctions for goods moving between the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean world.
  • These entrepots were hubs for the exchange of goods, including spices, textiles, precious stones, and metals.

• Hence, Both 1 and 2 are correct.