India's Overland Trade with Central Asia and Persia : During the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries/Joginder K. Chawla. New Delhi, Munshiram Manoharlal, 2006, xxii, 177 p., maps, ISBN 81-215-1160-7.

    Contents: Preface. Introduction. 1. Geographical and historical background. 2. Towns, cities and markets. 3. Identification of trade items for import and export. 4. Merchants and guilds. 5. Mode of travel and transportation. 6. Methods and medium of payment. 7. Conclusion. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.

    "The thirteenth century opened new vistas in the world history, particularly Asia. It witnessed the rise and fall of different dynasties and ultimately allowed the Mongols to survive as the mightiest power in China, Russia (Kipchak), Central Asia, and Persia for more than a century. They brought under their sway the Islamic lands of the orient except India where the Turks had already established themselves as a powerful state during this period.

    The present study is the first of its kind dealing with India's overland trade with Central Asia and Persia during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The book seeks to interpret the working of the political forces in India and her neighbouring countries which shaped the commercial network of the medieval period. Despite the Mongol devastations, the yasa of Chingiz Khan and the zeal displayed by the Turks created an aura of mercantile activities." (jacket)

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