Indus/South Asian Trade Volume Data 1000-1500 CE

Trade volume estimates for Indus/South Asian civilization during medieval period (1000-1500 CE), showing moderate-high trade-to-GDP ratios and Indian Ocean trade integration.

Indus / South Asian

Data Summary

• Trade volume (1000 CE): ~$6.7-10.1 billion (estimated, 20-30% of GDP)
• Trade volume (1200 CE): ~$7.8-11.7 billion (estimated, 20-30% of GDP)
• Trade volume (1500 CE): ~$12.1-18.2 billion (estimated, 20-30% of GDP)
• Trade-to-GDP ratio (1000 CE): ~20-30% (moderate-high, Indian Ocean trade integration)
• Trade-to-GDP ratio (1200 CE): ~20-30% (moderate-high, Indian Ocean trade integration)
• Trade-to-GDP ratio (1500 CE): ~20-30% (moderate-high, Indian Ocean trade integration)
• Port activity (1200 CE): High (Indian Ocean trade, major ports in Gujarat, Bengal, Coromandel)
• Trend: Increasing trade volume (moderate growth, trade network expansion, peak in 1500 CE)
• Confidence: Medium (some historical records, archaeological evidence, GDP-based estimates)
• Source: Historical trade records (where available), archaeological evidence, GDP-based estimates
• Period: 1000-1500 CE (Regional kingdoms, Delhi Sultanate)

Time Series Data

Maritime Trade Routes

• Indian Ocean trade: Primary maritime route (ports in Gujarat, Bengal, Coromandel, Malabar)
• Trade goods: Textiles, spices, metals, luxury goods, horses, slaves
• Port activity: High (major ports: Cambay, Calicut, Quilon, ports in Bengal, Coromandel)
• Maritime integration: Integration with Islamic, Southeast Asian/Maritime, East African civilizations

Overland Trade Routes

• Regional trade: Intra-South Asian trade networks (Indus-Ganges basins, Deccan)
• Trade hubs: Delhi, Vijayanagara, various regional centers
• Trade goods: Textiles, metals, luxury goods, agricultural products
• Caravan activity: Moderate (regional trade networks, limited overland routes)

Trade Integration

• Indian Ocean trade: Integration with Islamic, Southeast Asian/Maritime, East African civilizations
• Regional trade: Intra-South Asian trade networks (Indus-Ganges basins, Deccan)
• Trade coordination: Trade hub coordination, regional trade networks, port coordination

Comparative Context

• Regional average (South Asia, 1000 CE): ~18-28% trade-to-GDP
• Global average (1000 CE): ~10-15% trade-to-GDP (estimated)
• Ranking: 4th-5th highest trade-to-GDP ratio globally (1000-1500 CE, 20-30%, after Southeast Asian/Maritime, West African/Sahelian, Islamic)
• Comparison to other civilizations (1000 CE):
  • Southeast Asian/Maritime: ~0.6-0.8x trade-to-GDP (Southeast Asian ~35-50% trade-to-GDP)
  • West African/Sahelian: ~0.7-1.0x trade-to-GDP (West African ~30-40% trade-to-GDP)
  • Islamic: ~0.7-1.0x trade-to-GDP (Islamic ~25-35% trade-to-GDP)
  • Sinitic: ~1.2-1.5x trade-to-GDP (Sinitic ~15-25% trade-to-GDP)

Key Events

• 320 CE: Gupta Empire → Gupta Empire (320 CE) - Golden Age, Hindu-Buddhist synthesis (pre-period foundation, trade foundation)

• 1000-1200 CE: Regional kingdoms period - Moderate-high trade volume (20-30% of GDP), trade network expansion

• 1200-1500 CE: Delhi Sultanate period - Continued trade volume (20-30% of GDP), continued growth, peak trade

• Event-data integration: Trade volume trends (20-30% of GDP) reflect regional kingdoms (1000-1200 CE) and Delhi Sultanate (1200-1500 CE), with Indian Ocean trade integration enabling trade capacity

• Trend analysis:

  • Regional kingdoms (1000-1200): Moderate-high trade volume (20-30% of GDP), trade network expansion
  • Delhi Sultanate (1200-1500): Continued trade volume (20-30% of GDP), continued growth, peak trade

• Regional variation: Core regions (Ganges basin, ports in Gujarat, Bengal, Coromandel) higher trade volume than periphery (Deccan, remote regions)

• Trade network coordination: Trade hubs coordinate trade networks (regional trade networks, port coordination)

• Data needs: More detailed trade volume data, port activity data, trade route density data, trade goods data