What did India export during Indus valley civilization?

During the Indus Valley Civilization (circa 3300–1300 BCE), which thrived in what is today Pakistan and northwest India, a variety of goods were exported. The archaeological evidence and historical analysis suggest the following exports:

  1. Agricultural Products:
  • Grains: Wheat, barley, and possibly rice.
  • Cotton: The Indus Valley Civilization is credited with early cotton cultivation and textile production.
  1. Craft Items:
  • Beads and Jewelry: Made from carnelian, lapis lazuli, turquoise, and other semi-precious stones.
  • Pottery: Fine and painted pottery that was highly valued.
  • Terracotta Figurines: Small clay figures depicting humans and animals.
  1. Metals and Tools:
  • Copper and Bronze Items: Tools, weapons, and ornaments made of copper and bronze.
  • Gold and Silver Jewelry: Finely crafted jewelry items.
  1. Shell and Ivory Products:
  • Shell Bangles and Ornaments: Items made from sea shells.
  • Ivory Carvings: Small decorative items carved from ivory.
  1. Other Goods:
  • Wooden Items: Including furniture and decorative items.
  • Lapis Lazuli: Particularly sourced from mines in Afghanistan, processed, and possibly re-exported.

Trade networks of the Indus Valley Civilization extended to regions such as Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), the Persian Gulf, Central Asia, and possibly Egypt. Goods from the Indus Valley have been found at various archaeological sites in these regions, indicating a well-established trade system.

In return, the Indus Valley Civilization imported various goods, including precious stones, metals, and luxury items that were not locally available, demonstrating a complex and prosperous economic system.

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