Social Science (087) — CBSE Class 10 board question

During the sixteenth century, India was central to the international trade network. Fine silk and cotton textiles from India dominated global markets. Armenian and Persian merchants carried goods from Punjab through Afghanistan to Central Asia by land. Surat connected India to Gulf and Red Sea ports, while Masulipatam and Hoogly linked India to Southeast Asian ports by sea.

Source: The Age of Indian Textiles, Chapter 4

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The question asks specifically about the sixteenth century trade network, so focus on:

• India as a supplier of dominant textiles (silk and cotton)
• Land routes (north-west frontier → Central Asia)
• Sea routes (Surat → West Asia; Masulipatam/Hoogly → Southeast Asia)

Avoid writing about the decline under colonial rule — that's a different question. Examiners expect both land and sea trade links to be mentioned for full marks.