Introduction – The Growth of Towns in Medieval India

• During the medieval period, towns grew as centers of trade, administration, religion, and craftsmanship.
• Rulers built capitals, temples, and markets, leading to urban development.
• Trade routes connected India to foreign markets in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

Types of Medieval Towns – Administrative, Temple, and Commercial Centers

Medieval towns served different purposes. Some were administrative capitals, others were religious centers, and some were important for trade and commerce.

1. Administrative Towns

• These towns served as capitals or headquarters of rulers.
• Kings built palaces, forts, and government offices.
• Example: Delhi (capital of the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire).

2. Temple Towns

• Religious towns grew around famous temples.
• Pilgrims donated wealth, making these towns rich.
• Example: Madurai (Meenakshi Temple), Tirupati (Venkateswara Temple).

3. Commercial Towns (Trading Centers)

• These were marketplaces where traders bought and sold goods.
• Some were ports for foreign trade, while others were inland trading hubs.
• Example: Surat, Hampi, Masulipatnam.

Trading Centers and Market Towns – How Trade Flourished

• Trade was an essential part of medieval towns.
• Markets were filled with goods like textiles, spices, precious stones, and handicrafts.
• Traders used land and sea routes to transport goods across India and beyond.

Famous Trading Centers

• Surat (Gujarat) – A major port for trade with Persia and Europe.
• Masulipatnam (Andhra Pradesh) – Famous for textiles and shipbuilding.
• Hampi (Karnataka) – A prosperous trade center of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Crafts and Industries – The Role of Artisans and Craftspersons

• Craftspersons were highly skilled in weaving, metalwork, pottery, and jewelry making.
• They worked in guilds (associations of artisans) and passed their skills through generations.
• Indian textiles, especially cotton and silk, were famous worldwide.

Famous Handicraft Centers

• Bidar (Karnataka) – Famous for Bidriware (metal crafts with silver inlay work).
• Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu) – Famous for silk weaving.
• Murshidabad (West Bengal) – Known for Muslin (fine cotton fabric).

Indian Ocean Trade and Foreign Contacts

• India had active trade relations with the Middle East, Africa, China, and Europe.
• Arab and Persian traders played a key role in Indian Ocean trade.
• European companies like the Portuguese, Dutch, and British started arriving for trade.

Main Exports from India

• Spices – Black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon.
• Textiles – Cotton, silk, muslin.
• Precious stones and pearls.

Main Imports to India

• Horses from Central Asia and Arabia.
• Gold and silver from Europe.
• Glassware and perfumes from Persia.

Guilds and Their Role in Trade and Handicrafts

• Guilds (Shrenis) were groups of traders and artisans who controlled trade and industries.
• They fixed prices, ensured quality, and protected the interests of their members.

How Guilds Helped in Trade

• Set rules for wages, working conditions, and prices.
• Ensured high-quality production of goods.
• Trained young artisans to continue traditional crafts.

The Decline of Some Towns and the Rise of New Ones

• Some medieval towns declined due to wars, changes in trade routes, or natural disasters.
• New towns emerged as political and commercial centers.

Examples of Decline

• Hampi – Destroyed after the Vijayanagara Empire was defeated in 1565.
• Surat – Lost importance after Bombay (Mumbai) became a major British port.

Examples of New Towns

• Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai grew under European rule in the 17th–18th centuries.

Conclusion

• Medieval India had different types of towns – administrative, temple, and commercial centers.
• Trade and craft industries flourished, making India wealthy.
• Indian Ocean trade connected India to the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
• Guilds helped organize trade and ensured quality products.
• Some towns declined due to war and trade shifts, while new towns emerged.